Ranking the Players the Boston Bruins Should Covet at Trade Deadline
The Boston Bruins currently sit in the second wild-card spot, but the Florida Panthers are nipping at their heels. Boston should be active at the deadline, especially now that David Krejci is out with a partial tear to his MCL, the team announced Tuesday.
The Bruins are under pressure to make the playoffs, because missing the playoffs could lead to a clean sweep in the front office, according to Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe. For that reason, it is expected that general manager Peter Chiarelli will pull out all the stops to have success this postseason.
With that in mind, here are the players the Bruins should covet at the trade deadline.
No. 5: Jeff Petry, Edmonton Oilers
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Age: 27
Cap Hit: $3.075 million
Why He Should Be Targeted: Jeff Petry is slated to become a free agent this summer, and he would fill the Bruins' need for a top-four defender. Boston probably wishes it could have kept Johnny Boychuk, but Petry would be a solid fit for a playoff run.
The Oilers defender is a 6'3", 207-pound defender with a booming shot, and he's been averaging top-pairing minutes this season. In addition his impressive average TOI, Petry has some impressive advanced stats, which reinforces the value he'd provide the Bruins.
He is a defender who is entering the prime of his career, and one who should draw considerable interest.
No. 4: Chris Stewart, Buffalo Sabres
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Age: 27
Cap Hit: $4.15 million
Why He Should Be Targeted: The Boston Bruins are still in pursuit of a winger who can replace Jarome Iginla, and Chris Stewart would be a solid solution for the interim.
The Sabres power forward plays a heavy game, averages 45 points a season and could use a change of scenery. Stewart would love to play for a contender, and he would absolutely get back on track if he were traded to Boston.
No. 3: Andrej Sekera, Carolina Hurricanes
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Age: 28
Cap Hit: $2.75 million
Why He Should Be Targeted: The Bruins would be smart to add a veteran left-handed defender for the playoffs, and Andrej Sekera would fit the bill.
He is already playing top-pairing minutes, but that would change in Boston. The reduction in minutes could lead to a better overall deployment of Sekera, and that would be a positive from the Bruins' perspective.
Less pressure would allow Sekera to be more effective, because he wouldn't always be going up against the top line. His advanced stats show that he's a legit defender, and one who will be in high demand at the deadline.
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No. 2: Keith Yandle, Arizona Coyotes
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Age: 28
Salary Cap: $5.25 million
Why He Should Be Targeted: Keith Yandle is from is from Milton, Massachusetts, which is a suburb of Boston.
Dan Rosen of NHL.com has the Bruins listed as a potential suitor for Yandle, and it makes a ton of sense. He's been linked to the Bruins for quite sometime, and he's a left-handed defender who could conceivably take over first pairing duty from an aging Zdeno Chara.
The Bruins would have to make the salary work, but landing Yandle is something that makes sense because of his age, the role he fills and the term left on his contract.
No. 1: Antoine Vermette, Arizona Coyotes
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Age: 32
Contract: $3.75 million
Why He Should Be Targeted: With David Krejci on IR for the next four to six weeks, the Bruins need a No. 2 center. Vermette is one of the better options on the market, and one the Bruins will likely consider because of his skill.
Vermette wins a ton of faceoffs, has averaged 44 points a season throughout his career and could shift to wing if Krejci returns during the playoffs. There are not a ton of options out there, but Vermette is one who could work for Boston if it can deal some salary in a deal with the Coyotes.
Rumors via NHL.com and TheFourthPeriod.com. Stats via Hockey-Reference.com, NHL.com and Own The Puck.
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