All is quiet in the Boston hockey world with the Bruins are on their annual bye week following All-Star weekend. While the league is already back up and running, the B’s are getting some much needed rest and Don Sweeney is certainly keeping a keen eye on a few names in the trade market.
The NHL trade deadline is a little more than three weeks away, and the rumor mill is churning as fast as ever.
Bo Horvat was the first big domino to fall, moving from Vancouver to Long Island for Anthony Beauvillier, a 1st round pick and a prospect. The trade put an end to the brief, exciting but not very realistic Boston rumors. The Islanders then signed him to an extension that GM Lou Lamoriello was not a big fan of.
There are still plenty of options for the Bruins to consider in the market. Elliotte Friedman from TSN has said a left-side defenseman has been a priority for Boston. Names like Luke Schenn, Vladislav Gavrikov and Jakob Chychrun have been linked in trade rumors.
Chychrun in particular has consistently been popping up in the Boston media for a few seasons now.
His $4.6m cap hit would necessitate sending a player or two back to stay compliant. Arizona has never been shy about eating contracts, but it would add to an already sky high asking price. Hypothetically speaking, Chychrun joining the Bruins would turn their already stifling defense into a fortress. McAvoy, Grzelcyk, Lindholm, Carlo, Forbort and Chychrun would be the unquestioned best D-corps in the league.
Schenn and Gavrikov would be more depth pickups than game-changers. Schenn is having a fine season amidst all the dysfunction in Vancouver; 18 points in 50 games and +8 in 17:11 a night. A two-time Cup champ with Tampa, Schenn would add extra size, grit and toughness to the back-end. At $850k, he could be a bargain pickup and Boston wouldn’t have to worry about pushing the cap.
Vladislav Gavrikov is a name that some hardcore Bruins fans may remember from the 2019 playoffs against Columbus. He made his NHL debut in that series and has established himself as a regular in the Jackets’ defense. While the season has not gone great for Columbus, Gavrikov has logged a career high 22:23 Time On so far. He also recorded 33 points last year, all at even strength. His $2.8m cap hit would require some cap gymnastics in the event of a trade, but it could be done.
Photo: NHL / AP
