I have some moves that I’d like to see the Bruins make before the March 8th NHL Trade deadline. The Bruins currently sit a top the Eastern Conference in the NHL and yet, it doesn’t feel like they’re the best team in the East. It’s a me problem, I know. I have championship goals and this team doesn’t vibe with me as a Stanley Cup champion. Boston Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney has an excellent history of making the moves at the NHL trade deadline. When the moves were made, I know I felt like, wow, this should help the Bruins on the ice. Now Sweeney hasn’t won a Stanley Cup with any of these deadline moves but again, in real time, these moves felt right for what was happening and where the Bruins were.
Let’s look at Don Sweeney’s history since taking over as the Bruins main decision maker since 2015 at or around the NHL Trade deadline:
2023
Garnet Hathaway, Dmitri Orlov and Tyler Bertuzzi for 2023 1st round pick, 2023 5th round pick, 2024 1st round pick, 2024 3rd round pick, 2025 2nd round pick, 2025 4th round pick and Craig Smith
2022
Hampus Lindholm for John Moore, Urho Vaakanainen, 2022 1st round pick, 2023 2nd round pick and a 2024 2nd round pick
2021
Taylor Hall, Curtis Lazar for Anders Bjork and a 2021 2nd round pick
Mike Reilly for a 2022 3rd round pick
2019
Marcus Johansson for a 2019 2nd round pick and a 2020 4th round pick
Charlie Coyle for Ryan Donato and a 2019 5th round pick
2018
Rick Nash for Ryan Spooner, Matt Beleskey, Ryan Lindgren, a 2018 1st round pick and a 2019 7th round pick
2017
John-Michael Liles for Anthony Camara, a 2016 3rd round pick and a 2017 5th round pick
Lee Stempniak for a 2017 2nd round pick and a 2016 4th round pick
Now who do I want to acquire? Who do I want to move? What am I looking for the Bruins to do before the upcoming NHL trade deadline?