Bruins’ NHL Trade Deadline Watch

The NHL Trade Deadline is finally upon us. This year, there will be a lot of eyes on the Bruins as the day goes on as they are still expected to make another trade before the deadline. The team has already made one trade in the last week but they’re still being linked to big names like Kyle Palmieri.

The Bruin’s first trade was for Anaheim’s right-winger, Ondrej Kase. In exchange for Kase, the Bruins sent the Ducks David Backes, defensemen Axel Andersson and a 2020 first-round draft pick. Kase has been injured since early February with a head injury but is now listed as being out with an illness. He has played 49 games so far this season with 7 goals and 23 points overall. His injury history is something to keep an eye on but the Bruins definitely needed right-wing help in the middle lines.

The loss of David Backes was unsurprising. After spending the last four and a half seasons in Boston, it was clear that the right-wing didn’t have a spot on the team anymore. After dealing with injuries, it was clear that the younger guys that were brought up in his absence had won their spots on the roster. With a trade to Anaheim, Backes has another chance to play again and prove himself. He was without a doubt not going to get that opportunity here.

Looking forward though, the Bruins may have trouble trading for anyone else without having that first-round pick anymore. They would have to figure out a good deal to be able to trade for someone like Palmieri. This package almost definitely would have to include one of their current players. With the team playing the way they have been recently, it’s hard to pick out someone who you’d be willing to give up. One player that could be a possibility is defensemen, Connor Clifton.

Clifton was called up from Providence last season and has been a solid third defense pairing with Matt Grzelyck. However, Clifton has been injured since December and has been replaced with Jeremy Lauzon in that pairing. Lauzon has since been signed to a new deal with the team after bringing a much needed physical presence to the team. As of this morning, Clifton was recalled from his conditioning stint in Providence. Bothering to recall him may show that they are planning on keeping him though it also may just be to prove that they think he’s healthy enough to play again.

In all reality, the chances are higher that Don Sweeney won’t pull the trigger on another trade. Despite a bad loss to the Canucks on Saturday night, the Bruins are the best team in the NHL. The argument can be made that most of their offense is being carried by the first line and that they could use more power in the lower lines. However, people like Charlie Coyle and Jake DeBrusk having solid games recently have been very helpful to this team. It’s a real possibility that the Bruins won’t make another trade. 

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