The Boston Bruins, who went 1-0–3 on a four-game road trip that culminated in a 4–3 shootout loss to the Seattle Kraken on Monday, are heading into the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline with their worst run of the season. They have set a franchise record by playing six straight games in overtime.
When asked about his wish list prior to the Trade Deadline by The Athletic, Bruins president Cam Neely remarked, “That’s a big list.” Given where we are right now, that is a pretty large wish list. However, we will undoubtedly work to find a solution that will present us with prospects for improvement.
Neely identified an additional “stiff defender” and offensive support as possible objectives for a team that has outperformed predictions this year but is presently experiencing a dip. The Bruins (34-12-14) are still two points ahead of the Florida Panthers as the best team in the Atlantic Division.
Last season, Boston went all-in, adding Dmitry Orlov, Tyler Bertuzzi, and Garnet Hathaway in the midst of an unprecedented campaign that culminated in an Eastern Conference First Round series loss.
Neely conceded that the Bruins, particularly on the road trip, have failed to finish games and have underperformed on special teams. Additionally, he admitted that they are limited in their freedom due to their adherence to the salary cap of $83.5 million and their several draft pick trades, which have prevented them from having a selection in the first three rounds of the 2024 NHL Draft.
Flames of Calgary
Which goalies will be traded before to the deadline for trades?
On ESPN’s “The Drop” podcast, Kevin Weekes discussed two of the top trade targets, the Calgary Flames’ Jacob Markstrom and the Nashville Predators’ Juuse Saros. He estimated that each would be moved before the deadline at “50-50,” but as recently as a few weeks ago, he would have estimated it at 60-40 or even 70-30.
Weekes stated that considering their recent surge in play, the Flames (28-25-5) could be less inclined to trade Markstrom. They are five points behind the Predators (32-25-2) for the second wild card in the Western Conference, despite having won three straight and seven of their last ten games.
“Markstrom would be perfectly happy in New Jersey,” Weekes stated. However, the Calgary Flames are starting to gain ground. They don’t seem very eager to part ways with Markstrom, so I’m not sure if they want to do that at this time. I’m aware that the discussions with the Devils had progressed along the expected path; at least it appeared so. Speaking with a few individuals in the organization at the Stadium Series game a few weeks ago, I was able to corroborate that. Thus, at this point, it’s 50/50 whether Calgary decides to move him or not. However, I am certain that the Devils require him.
With Nashville’s ascent to the second wild card in the West, Weekes placed Saros in the same group. Five straight games have been won by the Predators.
Saros has one year remaining on his contract; Markstrom has two.
The Philadelphia Flyers
The news on Tuesday that defenseman Jamie Drysdale will be out for several weeks due to an upper-body injury hurt the Flyers. In two weeks, he’ll get another assessment.
During Sunday’s 7–6 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, Drysdale took a blow to the left shoulder. He had surgery to stop his season after eight games due to the identical injury to his shoulder from the previous campaign.
The Flyers (30-22-7) have surpassed expectations and currently sit third in the Metropolitan Division, four points ahead of the Washington Capitals and seven points behind the Carolina Hurricanes.
The injuries to defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen and forward Scott Drysdale have put the Flyers in an odd situation ahead of the Trade Deadline. Although general manager Daniel Briere has made clear that they are focusing more on the long term than the near future, they are in an excellent position to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Do they suddenly feel more or less inclined to sell Sean Walker and Nick Seeler, two prospective unrestricted free agents who play defense, given that they have some certainty about Drysdale?
Both players will undoubtedly generate a lot of interest. Furthermore, given that Drysdale’s injury has further hampered the team’s short-term prospects, it might be time to deal. Naturally, for a club that has played so well this season, that could also be a bitter pill to swallow. The scenario for the Flyers is difficult.