NHL Notebook: Impactful depth additions might be the Bruins’ best option as the trade deadline nears

The temperatures may be reaching arctic levels around the northeast, but trade speculation is beginning to heat up with the deadline a mere 27 days away.

It’s no secret that the Bruins are enjoying an all-in type of season. They’ve amassed the best record in the NHL (39-7-5) heading into the All-Star break, and the roster is in its best position to win since Game 7 of the 2019 Stanley Cup Final.

But every team has needs, and the Bruins are no exception. Additions from previous seasons like Hampus Lindholm, Taylor Hall and Charlie Coyle are still paying off for Boston, taking care of a good amount of Don Sweeney’s shopping. However, the Bruins still owe it to their veteran core to make improvements at the deadline. 

If history is any indication, Sweeney will undoubtedly make moves. He’s done so in each season he’s been general manager, previously landing big fish like Rick Nash, Hall and Lindholm, or adding depth like Marcus Johansson, Tommy Wingels or Nick Holden. 

Of course, virtually any move the front office makes will have a salary cap hurdle. Boston is already in a cap crunch, tied down by cap hits like Mike Reilly’s ($3 million) and Craig Smith’s ($3.1 million). 

Bo Horvat is off the board now, but any potential move for a bigger name like Timo Meier ($6 million), Jakob Chychrun ($4.6 million) or Patrick Kane ($10.5 million) would need money to go out the door, whether it’s less desirable commodities like Reilly or Smith or a more impactful roster player like Jake DeBrusk, Brandon Carlo or Matt Grzelcyk. However, including a key player like any of those three could drastically shake up chemistry on and off the ice. 

A move like that also opens up the door to needing a third team involved to eat more salary, which would drive up the price even more. Although, Boston could make the costs work since they have their next three first-round picks available, as well as prospects like Fabian Lysell and Mason Lohrei. For an all-in push, those assets certainly aren't completely untouchable.

But big names like that are simply luxury items the Bruins may be better served steering away from, considering the roster and financial implications, the latter of which will still be of concern next season with the salary cap expected to increase by just $1 million. There’s the likely massive payday for David Pastrnak on the horizon, as well as potential bonus overages to account for. 

With that in mind, the Bruins don’t have a lot of holes on the roster, as things stand right now. Shoring up the depth in the lineup via similar trades to the 2011 moves that brought in Chris Kelly, Rich Peverley and Tomas Kaberle, could be just the thing Boston needs. 

Bolstering defensive depth will be key

Depth on defense is always a priority. You can never have enough defensemen (just ask the 2016-17 Bruins), which is why, if the Bruins can make it work, holding on to Reilly on top of reserves like Jakub Zboril and Anton Stralman could be worthwhile. Last week, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported Boston to be in the left defense market. 

One option that immediately stands out is Columbus’ Vladislav Gavrikov, who has a manageable cap hit of $2.8 million for the remainder of the season. The 27-year-old Russian would add critical size and snarl to Boston’s blue line come playoff time with his 6-foot-3, 221-pound frame. He’s also third in shorthanded time on ice (179:21) among NHL defensemen and is averaging 22:23 of total ice time this season. The last-place Blue Jackets are likely going to seek a return similar to the first -and third-round picks they got for David Savard in 2021. The Bruins have also checked in on Gavrikov, according to Friedman.

An option with term beyond this season is Chicago’s Jake McCabe, on the books for $4.4 million for this season and next. The Blackhawks, also tied for last place, are in a position to eat a portion of McCabe’s salary, although it would assuredly drive up the price (likely similar to what Columbus would want for Gavrikov). McCabe, 29, is rugged and physical, and has managed to accrue a plus-two rating on a floundering Chicago team in which he leads all defensemen with a 45.3 percent Corsi-for.

Another defense candidate could be Vancouver’s Luke Schenn, a right-shot who is capable of playing both sides. Schenn has valuable playoff experience as a two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2020 and 2021. The 33-year-old has an enticing cap hit of just $850,000 for the remainder of the season, and is another player who has some bite to his game, can kill penalties and has solid size (6-foot-1, 227 pounds). Boston has the draft capital to make it work, and the Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun reported the Bruins and Tampa Bay had inquired about Schenn’s services as well.

Bruins should add up front as well

Boston would also be well-served searching for meaningful upgrades in terms of forward depth, adding another versatile scoring threat in the top-nine or bolstering the fourth line as well, which hasn’t found traction since Tomas Nosek went down with injury. 

The Bruins could target San Jose’s Nick Bonino, 34, on an expiring $2.5-million contract. A two-time champion with Pittsburgh in 2016 and 2017, Bonino has valuable experience similar to Schenn. He wins over 50 percent of his face-offs and is one of the Sharks’ most relied-on penalty killers on a top-10 unit, leading all NHL forwards with 64 blocked shots. He’s had some scoring slumps this season, but has still managed a 15-goal pace. 

One option that Bruins fans and Jim Montgomery alike are familiar with is Ivan Barbashev, a 2019 champion with St. Louis. Montgomery was an assistant with the Blues last year when the 27-year-old had a career season with 26 goals and 60 points. He’s returned to more typical form this season, though, on pace for 14 goals and 38 points, which would also be his second-highest total. Barbashev also helps get his team on the power play, drawing 14 penalties this season. He’s on an expiring contract worth $2.25 million, and can play both center and wing throughout the lineup.

Another St. Louis skater that might be on the radar for a reunion with Boston is Noel Acciari. He’s managed 10 goals and 18 points (on pace for 16 and 29) in a largely depth role for the Blues. Acciari tops St. Louis forwards in shorthanded ice time, wins over 54 percent of his faceoffs and is affordable ($1.25 million through the end of the season). 

Arizona’s Nick Bjugstad is another versatile, intriguing forward option. The Coyotes have managed to outscore the opposition 29-23 with him on the ice at even strength this season, going a paltry minus-29 without him. He’s had poor injury luck over the last several seasons, but has been fully healthy this season, putting up 11 goals and 21 points, an 18-goal and 34-point pace. He’s listed at a hulking 6-foot-6, 209 pounds and can play center and wing. The 30-year-old also has a cap hit of just $900,000, too, and a potential asking price could be a second or third round pick, according to Friedman.

Some notes from All-Star weekend, so far:

Ullmark and Pastrnak help steal the show at the Skills Competition

By and large, the NHL put on a good show at this year’s skills competition. New events like the Splash Shot, Tendy Tandem and Pitch ‘n’ Putt were well done, while traditional items like hardest shot and accuracy shooting were entertaining as always.

In the Breakaway Challenge, Pastrnak teamed up with Linus Ullmark for a ‘Happy Gilmore’ theme with Pastrnak donning Gilmore’s No. 18 jersey from the movie and mimicking his poor skating. Ullmark came out in costume as Gilmore’s caddie before No. 88 went on to imitate the “just tap it in” putt and celebration, complete with marshals holding “Quiet” signs, the celebration and all. 

“That was kind of a quick idea,” Pastrnak said, telling reporters it was all his idea. “Happy Gilmore is rocking the Boston Bruins jersey, so it was an easy choice for me.”

The only thing missing was Carl Weathers. 

Pastrnak and Bruins “getting there” on an extension

Friedman mentioned on Friday’s “32 Thoughts” podcast he had seen a lot of agents in Florida at the All-Star weekend festivities, taking the chance to meet with their players.

One high-profile negotiation, in particular, seems to be making some ground, as Friedman said he thinks Pastrnak and the Bruins are “moving towards getting done,” partly because No. 88 used some leverage.

“I think when this is over, we will find out that David Pastrnak pushed the Boston Bruins into a position they didn’t think they would get to and didn’t want to be in,” Friedman said. “What’s the biggest weapon you have in a negotiation? It’s the willingness to say ‘No,’ and I think David Pastrnak had the willingness to say ‘Look, if you guys aren’t going to do this, it’s going to be a problem.’ I think he pushed the Bruins into an area that maybe they didn’t want to go, and I think it’s going to get done because they recognized it has to get done.”

Pastrnak had no comment about the contract after Wednesday’s morning skate in Toronto, according to Friedman, who thinks it’s “getting there.”

No. 88 didn’t seem worried about his next deal when talking to reporters at All-Star weekend, saying agent J.P. Barry and Sweeney “talk every day.” He said he plans to meet with Barry as well.