The NHL draft is only days away, and the Bruins are getting ready for what should be a busy week in Boston. Between the draft itself, pending free agents and trade buzz in the air, the Bruins find themselves in a familiar spot; looking to add to its core while continuing to build for the future. That’s a tricky place to be, but a place Don Sweeney has navigated well over the past fourteen months. Here are some options the GM has and what he might do over the next week.
Draft
Boston will pick 23rd overall on Friday night. After watching Toronto retain their own 1st by winning the draft lottery, the Bruins had to come to the realization that a top 10 pick was no longer a possibility. A huge blow to their plans after signs pointed to Toronto likely finishing in 6th -10th from the bottom of the standings; the lottery had other plans however and so now must the Bruins. What the B’s brass should focus on is defense but at 23rd, the best player available must be the move here. No one at that position will be NHL ready for at least two to three seasons, and even then, you never know how a prospect that low in the first round will pan out.
Boston has the following draft picks this coming weekend;
- Round 1: 23rd overall
- Round 2: 56th overall
- Round 3: 88th overall
- Round 4: 104th overall (via SJS)
- Round 4: 111th overall (via DET)
- Round 4: 122nd overall (via TB)
- Round 5: 157th overall (via SJS)
- Round 7: 216th overall
Trade Possibilities
Trades are happening! Names like Brady Tkachuk, Darren Raddysh and Mackie Samoskevich have been moved over the past week, and indications are that there will be more deals to come. With Boston hoping to add to their top six forward group and with hopes of acquiring a right shot defenseman, rumors are swirling over what Don Sweeney might do.
Potential targets;
Mason McTavish
Darnell Nurse
Rasto Ristolainen
Jason Robertson (Let me dream!)
Trade candidates;
Mason Lohrei
Pavel Zacha
Dean Letourneau
Joonas Korpisalo
Henri Jokiharju
2027 1st, 2028 (Toronto and Florida) 1st
The Bruins have options and are reportedly taking calls on Zacha. He is due for a new contract next offseason, and Boston may just extend the versatile forward in the end. However, with teams desperate to add center depth, Sweeney should be all ears when it comes to moving the Czech born Zacha. Perhaps he can be a part of a bigger deal that lands the Bruins a star forward.
Free Agency
The crop of available players this July 1st is the thinnest, and maybe oldest, in many years. With Boston retooling and building for the future, adding any of the top veterans seems like a long shot. There are some intriguing names available however including;
Mason Marchment
Eli Tolvanen
Alex Tuch (Don’t do it Sweeney)
Viktor Arvidsson (Who may still re-sign in Boston)
It’s a small list, but these are the players that fit in Boston now and moving forward in my opinion. Tuch will command north of ten million on a max term, and for that reason I hope the Bruins stay clear. He has a lot of miles on his 30-year-old body. In terms of their own free agents, Arvidsson and defenseman Andrew Peeke, I could see Viktor returning if he is interested in a short-term deal in the 6M range. At 33 however, he may be looking for more security than that, and it would be wise for Sweeney to let him find it elsewhere. Peeke should not be retained. He is replaceable and with Frederic Brunet pushing for a spot in Boston, the Bruins will be better served implementing some youth rather than extending him.
Prediction
I think the Bruins have a relatively uneventful offseason. As much as we fans would like to see them acquire a big fish to play alongside David Pastrnak, the goal here should be to continue to stock the cupboards and build with youth. James Haggens has arrived and may be the top 6 add the Bruins inevitably pencil in this offseason. Hockey trades involving players like Lohrei and potentially Joonas Korpisalo, Henri Jokiharju and Casey Mittelstadt should be explored, however. Those players either struggled to fit Marco Sturm’s system or could be replaced at lower costs. Time will tell, and Sweeney will be busy, but expectations should be in check when it comes to what he ultimately can do this offseason.
G-Rant @TheRealG_Rant/Grant Cumming. Bruins fan. Bigger dreams, bigger screens, bigger feelings are planned.
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