Joe Haggerty of CSNNE: (mailbag) Asked about thoughts on trading Zdeno Chara while his value is still high. Haggerty thinks the Bruins could eventually look at the possibility of trading Chara if he continues to show his age. They would need a good exit strategy and a defensive stopper that could come in and play 25 to 30 minutes a night. May not be a wise move to force someone like Johnny Boychuk or Dougie Hamilton into a bigger role when they are not ready. Chara was a Norris finalist last year and had an excellent season.Only way to get a top-six forward out of trading a defenseman would be moving Johnny Boychuk. Adam McQuaid, David Warsofsky or Matt Bartkowski won’t land you one. McQuaid, Warsofsky or Bartkowski would land your prospects or draft picks. The Bruins may prefer to get a more established player that could help them win now.
David Staples of the Edmonton Journal: Staple’s weighs in on Joe Haggerty’s suggestion that a Nail Yakupov for Johnny Boychuk trade would help solve both teams issues. Staple’s doesn’t think the deal would work from the Oilers side of things. They might be interested in Boychuk for a lesser player or a pick. Boychuk’s value is not that high where it would require a player like Yakupov. The 30-year old Boychuk is entering the final year of his deal and will be a UFA after the season.
Nicholas Goss: Goss notes that a Yakupov for Boychuk trade would be a poor decision for both teams. The Bruins don’t need to bring in another young forward who doesn’t play defense. The Oilers would be foolish to give up on a potential 35-40 goal scorer.
