The Boston Bruins have begun the new season with new challenges and goals, but one problem still hangs over. Where to find a dependable second-line right-winger? That has been an issue the Bruins are unsuccessful to answer so far.
The Bruins have certainly tried it, and not only once. Brett Ritchie, Anders Bjork, Karson Kuhlman, or Danton Heinen had their go on the second line, which is constantly mixing with the players. More than that, it´s even tougher to find a suitable right-winger for David Krejci when Krejci himself has been struggling with injuries.
Would the Bruins, consequently, turn to the trade market to search a help? There are plenty of options on the trade market. And we are not talking about Patrick Kane. The Bruins can well consider cheap, low-cost, and high-reward trade target.
The Chicago Blackhawks will, perhaps, have to trade Brendan Perlini. The Hawks permitted him to seek a trade. Would there be a match with the Bruins? Last season, Perlini had 14 goals and 21 points. He even scored against the Bruins in the Winter Classic.
The season before that, Perlini recorded 17 goals and 30 overall points. He is still 23-year-old, but cannot find his place on Chicago’s roster. Although he is a natural left-shot skater, he can alternate on the right-wing, as well.
What would the Blackhawks ask? Probably not much, in fact, their salary-cap options are quite restrained. The Bruins would have to keep that in mind.
Meanwhile, late on Monday, the Blackhawks have traded Perlini to Detroit for a former third-round draft pick from 2018. Possibly the Bruins at least get a view of what would it cost to obtain such a player.
The second, and even more intriguing option to consider would be New York Islanders winger Josh Ho-Sang. The former first-round draft choice by the Isles seemingly can’t break the bank on their roster. He is 23-year-old, and he is a natural right-winger, which would suit the Bruins perfectly.
His two-way play was a matter of concern over the past few seasons, but his speed is eye-catching. As The Hockey News suggests, the Bruins should be somewhere high on the list of those interested in Ho-Sang.
In his 53 NHL games, Ho-Sang collected 24 points, while tearing it apart in the AHL with 110 points in 156 games.
Ho-Sang was on the waivers earlier in October, yet the Bruins didn’t bite. The Islanders have some salary-cap space (approximately $4 million), and they would welcome some defensive help. Maybe they would consider Kevan Miller as a rental? The Bruins would unquestionably like to shed his salary-cap hit of $2.5 million.
However, Boston is not expected to make a move anytime soon. In the case of Miller, his return to play is not imminent, either. As the season progresses, the Bruins can circle back on the low-cost young trade-bait during any time.
