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Jaffe: If Bruins make big move, it has to be this year

By Toucher & Rich February 22nd

The Boston Bruins have something special with this year’s team. Their league-leading 91 points puts them ahead of the pack by a mile. If they want to make a deep playoff push, the team will have to seek depth reinforcements.  

The Friday, March 3 NHL trade deadline is slowly approaching. The right pieces are already in place for the Black-and-Gold, but what moves, if any, could the team make to bolster their already strong squad? 

On Wednesday’s Toucher & Rich program—Billy Jaffe, on-air hockey analyst for NESN, joined the show to answer questions about the Bruins potentially acquiring either Jakob Chychrun or Vladislav Gavrikov. 

  • Feb 18, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Jake DeBrusk (74) (middle) reacts with left wing Brad Marchand (63) and center Patrice Bergeron (37) after scoring a goal during the first period against the New York Islanders at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports

    Feb 18, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Jake DeBrusk (74) (middle) reacts with left wing Brad Marchand (63) and center Patrice Bergeron (37) after scoring a goal during the first period against the New York Islanders at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

  • Do the Bruins make a move at the trade deadline?

    Billy Jaffe: There’s not enough time in this segment. Yes and no. You’ve got to make a move. Right? You don’t make a move just to make a move. You make a move because if you look at the last decade, 90 percent of the time, it’s a move that makes a difference for the team that wins the Stanley Cup. It doesn’t have to be a mega move.  

    Now the [Jakob] Chychrun thing sets you up with another two years because he’s under contract. That would be unbelievable. But then you take a deep breath and step back and say, ‘Where does he fit?’ Because here’s a guy that doesn’t kill penalties. But he likes to play a lot of power play. Are you taking Charlie McAvoy or Hampus Lindholm off your power play right now? No.  

    Here’s a guy used to playing 22 to 24 minutes a night. So now, you’re going to get him 20-plus minutes at five-on-five. Can you find him that? I don’t know. But yeah, you know, you’re going to get an injury. Maybe there are some minutes here, but, you know, horses like to run. For a guy like that to be effective, you play him regularly.  

  • ELMONT, NEW YORK - JANUARY 21: Jakob Chychrun #6 of the Arizona Coyotes skates against the New York Islanders at the UBS Arena on January 21, 2022 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

    ELMONT, NEW YORK – JANUARY 21: Jakob Chychrun #6 of the Arizona Coyotes skates against the New York Islanders at the UBS Arena on January 21, 2022 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

  • Jaffe: I don’t know. [Vladislav] Gavrikov is an interesting guy, because he provides you with an awful lot. He’s big and strong, leads Columbus in ice time, and kills penalties all the time. Now you’ve already got some guys ready to kill penalties between [Derek] Forbort and [Brandon] Carlo. Are you shifting one of them off a little bit? Are you putting him in there?  

    The asking price is also a concern. The rumblings are a first and third [round pick]. We’ve heard all that, but you never really know. But if you’re going to make a big move, you have to do it this year.  

  • COLUMBUS, OH - APRIL 04: Vladislav Gavrikov #44 of the Columbus Blue Jackets warms up prior to the start of the game against the Boston Bruins at Nationwide Arena on April 4, 2022 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)

    COLUMBUS, OH – APRIL 04: Vladislav Gavrikov #44 of the Columbus Blue Jackets warms up prior to the start of the game against the Boston Bruins at Nationwide Arena on April 4, 2022 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)

  • Jaffe: After this year, we don’t know about the unknown with this team. We don’t know about [Patrice] Bergeron and [David] Krejci. You know you’ve got cap overages coming into play next year for the bonuses to Bergeron and Krejci. If they’re not here and you have the overages, you’re like, ‘We got to win it this year.’  

    So, this team is going to make a move. I’d love a depth defenseman. I would love a depth forward—a guy that can play seven through 12 in the forward lineup. 

  • Full Segment

  • Ryan Beaton is a producer for 985thesportshub.com. You can follow Ryan at @ry_beaton on Twitter.

    Follow @Toucherandrich on Twitter, @Toucherandrichofficial and @fredtoucher on Instagram to keep up with the show!

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