The contending Bruins may be buyers at the NHL trade deadline, and it appears that they could have their eye on a winger out west playing for their former GM.
Multiple sources tell NBC Sports Boston’s Joe Haggerty that the Bruins are showing interest in Edmonton Oilers winger Patrick Maroon, who happens to play for ex-Bruins GM and current Oilers president of hockey operations Peter Chiarelli. The expectation is that the Bruins would not need to part with a first-round pick or any high-end prospects in order to land the 29-year-old veteran.
Maroon is set to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2017-18 season, so he would likely turn out to be a simple rental for the B’s. That would also help drive down the winger’s price tag ahead of the Feb. 26 trade deadline.
Bruins fans may be particularly familiar with Maroon due to his strong recent performances against them. He’s scored six goals in his last three games against the B’s. He also had the bravery to drop the gloves with Zdeno Chara, which not many players in the NHL can claim these days.
Zdeno Chara fights with Patrick Maroon of the Edmonton Oilers at TD Garden on Jan. 5, 2017. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
What The Bruins Would Be Getting
The winger would provide size and physicality on the wing, which the Bruins relatively lack compared to speed and skill. And he can also chip in some occasional scoring to go with his grit. He could fit on a line with David Krejci, or perhaps as a left winger for Riley Nash and David Backes on the third line. That would likely bump rookie Danton Heinen up to the wing on Krejci’s line, where he has played in the past.
Maroon’s presence in Boston would also leave Ryan Spooner’s place on the team up in the air, and possibly make him a chip for another trade – if not part of a swap with the Oilers.
Maroon has 13 goals and 12 assists in 52 games with the Oilers this season, in addition to 60 penalty minutes.
Expect more rumors to emerge as the deadline approaches with the day just two weeks away. The B’s could also be in the market for a left-shot defenseman, in addition to a winger in the mold of Maroon.
— By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.
