The NHL Trade Deadline fastly approaches and the Boston Bruins still haven’t made any kind of trade.
As we know from the past few seasons, general manager Don Sweeney likes to wait until the very end. During February of 2017, Sweeney traded for Nick Holden and sent Frank Vatrano to Florida before making a big splash by acquiring Rick Nash from the New York Rangers.
This time around, it is quiet on the trade front in Boston. However, it might pick up as the trade deadline approaches. There is no secret that the Bruins were interested in acquiring every big fish left on the market over the past couple of years.
Whether it was Kevin Shattenkirk, Ryan McDonagh, Nash, John Tavares or Ilya Kovalchuk, the Bruins always seemed to circle around.
Nevertheless, they were brave enough to pull the trigger just once with the acquisition of Nash and that trade really hasn’t worked out expectedly. This season’s big dream for Boston is Artemi Panarin. Nearly a point-per-game producer, who wouldn’t want him on the team?
Panarin is probably not staying in Columbus, or at least he is not discussing his contract extension until after the season ends. And that’s a risky business for the Blue Jackets.
If they decide to trade him, the Bruins will try to make a push for him. NHL Insider Bob McKenzie stated, that it’s more likely than not that Panarin gets traded at the deadline. McKenzie also mentioned the Bruins being interested. Additionally, the Bruins would need to give up a lot more than they gave up for Nash in order to get Panarin and eventually secure his services for the next seven years.
TSN’s Ray Ferraro also mentioned that the Bruins are chasing Panarin. Ferraro added that Boston’s acquisition of Panarin would make other Eastern Conference contenders concerned. Also, Pierre LeBrun spoke about Boston’s and Nashville’s interest in Panarin.
On NHL on NBC postgame, @TSNBobMcKenzie says Bruins should give up “a lot more” than they did for Rick Nash to acquire Panarin. Said if he’s Blue Jackets, he wants first-round pick and two really good prospects if there’s not roster player going back.
— Ty Anderson (@_TyAnderson)
All those very credible sources reported on the Bruins interest in acquiring Panarin. Jimmy Murphy mentioned that the Columbus Blue Jackets would at least ask for Jake DeBrusk, a first-round draft pick, and potentially other draft choices or prospects with NHL experience for Panarin.
Murphy also talked about a very important part of this whole operation for the Bruins – salary cap. The Bruins don’t have six million left in their salary cap space now and they would need to make that room. Boston would need to clear even more salary cap space in order to sign Panarin in the offseason.
Is this real? Panarin would make the Bruins instantly better. The Russian winger has 288 points in 290 career games and has recorded 55 points in 47 games this year. As of now, he would be the Bruins third most productive player.
Giving up Jake DeBrusk, other prospects, first round draft pick and maybe even more, that’s pretty much serious. However, teams always have to give good talent in order to receive good talent.
Although Panarin would be great on the Bruins roster, Boston is already tied up a lot in their salary cap situation. Charlie McAvoy, Brandon Carlo, Ryan Donato, Danton Heinen, and Peter Cehlarik, will all require new deals over the upcoming summer.
If the Bruins give up the right combination of prospects and draft picks, will be assured of Panarin extension in the summer and will unload David Backes and his heavy contract, then its worth the shot for them. On the other hand, the Bruins have to be aware of what they gave up for Rick Nash last season and how many games he played here in Boston. It’s a risky play, but one the Bruins should seriously consider.
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