Things continue to percolate ahead of the 2023 NHL trade deadline, and the Boston Bruins remain heavily involved.
Granted, the biggest moves may not ultimately come out of Causeway St. But it would still behoove Bruins GM Don Sweeney to keep an eye on the whole market, especially when their chief competition in the Eastern Conference continue to come up in trade rumors for the biggest names.
But in the case of the Bruins, the biggest name they’ve been linked to could actually be headed out west. Meanwhile, the most likely deadline result for the Bruins is that they add for depth.
Anyway, there was more interesting insider reporting around the league over the weekend, as it relates to the 2023 NHL trade deadline. Here’s the latest trade chatter you need to know about…
Bruins ‘Very Interested’ In Chychrun
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – JANUARY 28: Jakob Chychrun #6 of the Arizona Coyotes shoots the puck against Derek Forbort #28 of the Boston Bruins in the second period of the game at Gila River Arena on January 28, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
The Coyotes’ asking price for defenseman Jakob Chychrun remains two first-round picks plus a prospect(s), according to multiple reports. That apparently isn’t deterring Sweeney. ESPN’s Emily Kaplan said during the Bruins-Capitals broadcast on Saturday that the B’s remain “very interested” in Chychrun’s services.
However, if Coyotes GM Bill Armstrong “doesn’t get the price he wants,” he is OK waiting until the off-season to make a good-old-fashioned “hockey trade,” per Kaplan. That’s often the case with teams across the league, where disrupting your locker room chemistry isn’t ideal for playoff contenders.
The Bruins, especially, have a pretty complete roster top-to-bottom, so trading someone like, say, Matt Grzelcyk or Brandon Carlo for Chychrun mid-season would carry a lot of risk, especially since Chychrun is unproven in the playoffs and has been less-than-durable in his career.
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – MARCH 22: Jakob Chychrun #6 of the Arizona Coyotes skates with the puck against the Colorado Avalanche during the NHL game at Gila River Arena on March 22, 2021 in Glendale, Arizona. The Avalanche defeated the Coyotes 5-1. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
So where could Chychrun actually end up? Elliotte Friedman said Monday on the newest “32 Thoughts” podcast that the Los Angeles Kings “are in the driver’s seat” for a potential deal, but a trade isn’t close. Since Arizona seems willing to wait until the off-season, it would hard to believe that Sweeney would pull the trigger on what’s necessary to land Chychrun at the deadline.
At the same time, Chychrun was a healthy scratch on Saturday, and the team cited “trade-related reasons,” according to
Coyotes D Jakob Chychrun will be a healthy scratch tonight in St. Louis for what the team is calling trade-related reasons.
— Craig Morgan (@CraigSMorgan) February 12, 2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Craig Morgan of the NHL Network. A trade never happened over the weekend, so it’s unclear how close it really is. Still, the Coyotes are serious about protecting their best asset, in the event of a deal being reached.
I don't think a trade is imminent, but it's possible before Monday's game in Nashville with the trade deadline nearing.
More here: https://t.co/Y8IkN7Oqc2But back to the Bruins. If they end up trading for a defenseman, expect them to target a depth guy with size that would represent a bigger, sturdier replacement for Grzelcyk or Connor Clifton, who would help Jim Montgomery determine better matchups. Blue Jackets defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov and Canucks blue liner Luke Schenn are names to know in that department.
Bruins Watching Timo Meier
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 22: Timo Meier #28 of the San Jose Sharks skates against Hampus Lindholm #27 of the Boston Bruins during the second period at TD Garden on January 22, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Sweeney is apparently monitoring the situation with Sharks forward Timo Meier, but that doesn’t mean it’s because he’s actually looking to get him. According to Kaplan, “Everyone is monitoring the Timo Meier situation” in San Jose, and that “does include the Bruins.” But the report suggested that the B’s are just watching to see who actually trade for Meier.
Kaplan says to keep an eye on the Carolina Hurricanes, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Vegas Golden Knights in the Meier trade rumblings. It would be a tough break for Boston if Meier ended up in Carolina or Toronto, to be certain. That doesn’t mean the B’s should jump in on the sweepstakes, but it could possibly spur Sweeney into action on another move.
Bruins ‘Still In The Mix’ For Luke Schenn
MONTREAL, CANADA – NOVEMBER 09: Luke Schenn #2 of the Vancouver Canucks checks Kirby Dach #77 of the Montreal Canadiens into the boards during the second period at Centre Bell on November 9, 2022 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
Rangers Get Tarasenko
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MAY 27: Vladimir Tarasenko #91 of the St. Louis Blues celebrates his second period goal against the Boston Bruins in Game One of the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Final at TD Garden on May 27, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
The NHL trade deadline may still be weeks away, but teams are already starting to make their big moves. Following up the New York Islanders’ acquisition of Bo Horvat was the New York Rangers swinging a big trade to land Vladimir Tarasenko from the St. Louis Blues.
This was one of the better results for the Bruins. The Rangers don’t feel like a threat to the B’s in the east at the moment. While they should be considered a team on the rise with their wealth of young talent in all areas, adding Tarasenko isn’t likely to put them over the top on a Cup run.
