With three weeks left until the NHL Trading Deadline, the Bruins are limping along. They're practically Jekyll and Hyde. One game they'll look good/great and the next they'll look like the team that spent a month in the league basement. It's widely known that the Bruins are interested in adding depth, but it's possible they may look for something a little bigger. Depth on forward could prove to be crucial, as Zach Hamill has shown to be just mediocre in his stint with the Bruins (he was just placed on waivers about 2 minutes before I typed this), and Jordan Caron has spent most of this season up and down between Boston and Providence. Defensive depth may not be the route the team takes either. With Joe Corvo and Johnny Boychuk both struggling to find their stride this late in the season, it could be time to move one of them and bring in a new body that can help on the powerplay, a job which Corvo was supposed to do, or help out defensively, something Boychuk has done a considerably poor job at the past two seasons. There are many options out there on the market for both forward and defense, and some prices are high. Also, the health of winger Nathan Horton will be a key factor in what moves they make. Here are some of the team's reported targets.
- Tuomo Ruutu - Ruutu's price tag is reportedly fairly high, but it wouldn't be so high that the Bruins wouldn't even consider. They've reportedly inquired on Ruutu, but they aren't the only team interested. The scoring forward is drawing a lot of interest around the league and could go anywhere, but he could very well just stay in Carolina.
- Drew Stafford - One name that I haven't heard come up much. Stafford has been a Bruins killer for most of his career, and even if the Bruins don't trade for him, they'd be able to breathe a little easier if he was traded out of the Eastern Conference. The high scoring forward has enjoyed success with the Sabres, and the Bruins could use a player like hm.
- Ryan Smyth - Another interesting name. Smyth is aging, but he still has scoring touch. Again, the Bruins could use another body up front to put the puck in the net, but the issue with Smyth is he has a No Trade Clause, and it's unknown whether or not he would consider waiving it to go to Boston if an offer was made.
- Ray Whitney - This would be a great addition. Whitney's getting up there in age, but he's still a talented scorer and could be the veteran presence that fills the void left by Mark Recchi. Phoenix has yet to determine whether they're buying or selling yet though, so talks between the Coyotes and any team for any player would be at a standstill.
- Vinny Prospal - The Blue Jackets are, unsurprisingly, in the league basement once again. They're obviously selling, and their top priority is center Jeff Carter, who really just wants the get the hell out of Columbus (can you blame him?). Another player they're shopping is Vinny Prospal. Prospal could be another addition to be a veteran presence, and he could be had cheap, likely for a prospect such as Jordan Caron (please no) or just a second round pick. He could add a little extra scoring touch to the lineup as well.
- Hal Gill - God no. Please, just no. The guy isn't good. He's big, yes, but he's not talented and he's extremely slow and easy to beat on the rush. Not the guy you'd want on your blueline.
- Jaroslav Spacek - The man traded for Tomas Kaberle. Spacek has been solid for Carolina since the trade, and he could be a useful powerplay weapon.
- Steve Staios - He could be a solid guy to replace Boychuk. He doesn't score many points, but he's a solid stay at home defenseman, and with the way the Bruins have been playing as of late, they could use a guy like that.
No comments:
Post a Comment