Bruins should kick the tires on defenseman Ian Cole

Boston Bruins general manager Don Sweeney is on record as saying if there’s an opportunity to improve the team, specifically on defense, he would consider it.

The Bruins should consider current Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Ian Cole. It appears the two-time Stanley Cup winner’s days in the Steel City are numbered. He’s been a healthy scratch the last three games and doesn’t appear to be in the team’s future plans.



Cole, 28, is a left shot, which is something the Bruins could use. He’s a physical presence and could help Boston’s offense from the back end.

He’s an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year and will earn a massive pay raise from his current $2.1 million salary. It’s unlikely he’ll remain with the Penguins until the trade deadline on Feb. 26, but if it does go that long, his services may fetch a second- and a fourth- or fifth-rounder at the deadline.

Right now, it could be a third-round pick or a lower-end prospect. Because he’s a veteran and two-time Stanley Cup-winning defenseman, he has plenty of value. Cole played with current Bruins alternate captain David Backes when the two were with the St. Louis Blues. Having them reunited in Boston would have a positive impact both on and off the ice.

A possible deal also depends on the interest level. If Penguins GM Jim Rutherford does have interest in trading Cole, the veteran GM is likely pitting teams against one another to raise the price.

Cole would fit well in Boston, even if it’s only for the remainder of the season. It would create more internal competition for the younger defensemen in the organization. Cole is a workhorse and can play big minutes. His presence could also help manage Zdeno Chara’s minutes better, so the captain is fresher down the stretch than he has been in season’s past.

Rookie Matt Grzelcyk has played well and deserves to stay in the lineup for now. If the Bruins were to acquire Cole, he could play the left side with Kevan Miller on the right. That would mean Grzelcyk would continue to develop his pro game in Providence, which wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing.

Either way, it’s worth Sweeney’s time to consider a possible move for Cole.