Two former Bruins trade targets are back on the market
The Bruins may get a second chance at two of their most sought-after deadline targets.
NEWARK, NJ – JANUARY 02: Kyle Palmieri #21 of the New Jersey Devils waits for the faceoff against the Dallas Stars on January 2,2016 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.The New Jersey Devils defeated the Dallas Stars 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Elsa/Getty ImagesBy Ty Anderson, 985TheSportsHub.com
Don Sweeney and the Boston Bruins may be granted a second chance at two of their most sought-after trade deadline targets, as the Devils' Kyle Palmieri and Vancouver's Tyler Toffoli appear to be back on the market.
In the case of Palmieri, his reemergence onto the trade block reportedly comes with the sides not close on a potential contract extension, according to The Fourth Period. The Bruins were locked in on Palmieri entering the 2020 trade deadline, according to sources, but ultimately didn't have the goods to pull off a deal, as the Devils were insistent on a first-round pick, which the Bruins did not have following their trade for Ondrej Kase earlier in trade season.
The 29-year-old Palmieri, who is entering the final year of a contract that comes with a $4.65 million cap hit, scored 25 goals and 45 points in 65 games for New Jersey last season. The 5-foot-11, right-shot has scored at least 24 goals in five straight seasons, scoring a career-high 30 in 2015-16, and averaging 25.5 goals per season over the last four years.
Toffoli, meanwhile, appears bound to hit the open market as an unrestricted free agent, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.
Mar 4, 2020; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Tyler Toffoli (73) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Arizona Coyotes during the third period at Rogers Arena. Arizona won 4 -2. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports
It's certainly worth mentioning that it was believed that the Bruins had a deal for Toffoli 'in their hip pocket' leading up to the 2020 deadline, but they were ultimately beat to the punch by the Canucks' Jim Benning, and settled for Kase and Nick Ritchie.
Acquired by the Canucks in exchange for two draft picks, Tim Schaller, and a prospect, the 28-year-old wing scored six goals and 10 points in 10 regular-season games with Vancouver, and added two goals and two helpers in seven postseason games.
Toffoli has hit the 20-goal mark four times in his career, and had 24 goals and 20 assists in 68 games this season.
He also has Stanley Cup experiencing, winning the 2014 Stanley Cup with the Kings.
Overall, the right-shot, right-wing has totaled 145 goals and 300 points in 525 games between the Kings and Canucks.
The Bruins enter the first night of the 2020 NHL Draft without a first-round pick to their name, but are linked to just about every major rumor entering this rapid-fire offseason.
Listen to Ty Anderson and Matt Dolloff break down the Bruins' trade rumors and draft picks on the newest episode of the Sports Hub Sidelines podcast:
Ty AndersonEditor
Ty Anderson is 98.5 The Sports Hub’s friendly neighborhood straight-edge kid. Ty has been covering the Bruins (and other Boston teams) since 2010, has been a member of the PHWA since 2013, and went left to right across your radio dial and joined The Sports Hub in 2018. Ty also writes about all New England sports from Patriots football to the Boston Celtics and Boston Red Sox.
