Alas, the moment is almost here. The Boston Bruins are only three points out of first place in the National Hockey League with two days until the trade deadline.
The Boston Bruins have been linked to players like San Jose Sharks’ Anthony Duclair and goalie Jeremy Swayman, who they signed to a sizable contract.
The Bruins are rapidly approaching their deadline; here are two moves that they should consider making and two that they shouldn’t.
First sensible move: Adding more defensive depth
It’s been, to put it mildly, really nerve-racking to watch Boston play right now. It seems as though no lead is safe, as Randolph Charlotin of Causeway Crowd noted earlier this year. Even on Tuesday, with the Bruins leading the Edmonton Oilers 1-0 and their net empty, they were unable to put the puck in an open net, which allowed the Oilers to tie the game and eventually win it in OT.
Even worse, goalie Linus Ullmark did not complete with 24 saves, something he typically does with ease in a victory.
Having stated that, the issue is evident. It has not gone well for the squad that has to rely on Parker Wotherspoon, Matt Grcelcyk, and Derek Forbort to fill in for injured defenseman Hampus Lindholm until he returns. Therefore, adding additional defense ought to be the first thing on Boston’s Friday agenda.
Second logical move: exchanging Brandon Bussi for draft choices
Although Brandon Bussi has only ever played in warm-ups or preseason games, this move is risky because of his age (he is really a few months older than Swayman). Nevertheless, it would be foolish to pass up dealing Bussi.
Given Swayman’s impending extension and the disparate professional backgrounds of both netminders, Bussi’s contribution to the squad is all but eliminated. Since he hasn’t played a minute in the NHL, he can’t play the experienced card, but he also can’t play the promising rookie card.
Draft capital is something the Bruins lack in addition to defensive depth. Although it’s unlikely, you might be able to acquire something for Bussi before he attempts to leave and you lose him for free, considering what he has demonstrated in the AHL as a sort of third-string goaltender to Swayman and Ullmark.