There is a chance that the Boston Bruins will have an active deadline with general manager Don Sweeney on the last year of his contract. Another thing that hints at a busy deadline for the Bruins is that Jake DeBrusk and his agent Rick Valette have not changed their minds with the trade request. Regardless of the rumors circulating about who is getting dealt and whom to trade for, the Bruins have several needs, including a right-winger, a left-shot defenseman, and a second-line center. Since the Beantown boys are not quite a top-tier team in the league currently sitting in the first wild card spot in the Eastern Conference, it would make sense that a few additives around the deadline could have a chance of being a contender this season.
Make sure to check out all of our other NHL Trade Deadline Previews.
Current Status
Current Record: 32-18-4
Division Standings: Fourth in the Atlantic
Buyers or Sellers: Buyers
Alexander Barabanov
This St. Petersburg, Russia native is a left-shot winger that can slot in on either side on the face-off dot. In his nine-game presence for the San Jose Sharks in the back end of the 2020-2021 season, he notched three goals and four assists while skating with Tomas Hertl and Evander Kane, proving that he could slot in on top parings and provide solid production. In 46 games with the Sharks this season, Barabanov recorded eight goals and 19 assists for 27 total points. He would rank sixth in point-production on the Boston Bruins squad. Any deal shipping out DeBrusk for this sleeper winger would be a win for the Bruins, especially long-term, considering Barabanov is 27-years old and has a great deal of hockey left in his life.
Another enticing part about Barabanov is his one-year $1 million unrestricted free agent contract with the Sharks. Granted, he should get paid for his proven success early on in his career; it is easy to see a guy like this being on Sweeney and the Bruins front office’s radar.
Jakub Chycrun
Chycrun is one of the top deadline targets this year. The upside of the Boca Raton, Florida native; 23-years old, a proven NHL defenseman, and an excellent long-term investment. The downsides to buying a guy like this; Chycrun’s asking price is Jack Eichel-like, and working his contract into the cap space would be difficult but not impossible.
Considering head coach Bruce Cassidy was an offensive-minded defenseman, Chycrun would fit seamlessly under his game plan. Comparing Chyrun’s statistics from this season to last, his offensive production has hit a decline. A sign of light in that department is that he has one goal and seven assists in his last 16 games. In the 26 games prior, he recorded two goals and five assists. With his offensive-game increasing, it would be a good time for the Bruins to try to pluck him from the diminished Arizona Coyotes, especially when the Bruins are lacking in the defensive department.
Tomas Hertl
The 2012 17th overall pick would be a great addition to the middle of the ice for the Bruins. Not only would it allow Erik Haula to play his natural position at left wing; this move would also provide an excellent point-producer. Hertl has 22 goals and 20 assists in 54 games this season, which would put him at the third-most points on the Bruins roster, disregarding the games at hand. His point production is basically on par with Patrice Bergeron, the Bruins’ current third point-producer.
Hertl wants out of the Sharks, and his asking price is not as high as a Jack Eichel-like swap, which makes this trade super enticing for the Bruins’ front office. Although his contract sits at a $5.6 million average value, making room for Hertl on this Boston team would assist them in trying to contend for the cup in years to come.
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