Scoring objectives has been an enormous wrestle for the Boston Bruins by means of the opening two months of the 2024-25 season. 5 video games after firing former head coach Jim Montgomery (now employed by the St. Louis Blues) and selling Joe Sacco to the interim head coach function, the problems are nonetheless as prevalent as ever. Heading into the month of December, the Bruins are dead-last within the NHL in objectives for per recreation (2.32) and energy play share (12%). Of their final three video games, they’ve been shut out by the Vancouver Canucks, scored six in opposition to the Twenty first-ranked New York Islanders, then scored just one aim in opposition to the Pittsburgh Penguins who common probably the most objectives in opposition to per recreation.
Having already exhausted possibility quantity one among firing the top coach, the eye now shifts to the commerce market to usher in extra exterior assist to enhance the weak scoring numbers. Trades early on within the season aren’t overly frequent – particularly ones that shake up the trajectory of a group. In Boston’s case, with few highly-touted prospects, an abundance of under-performing roster gamers, a hesitance to maneuver much more excessive draft picks, and barely tiptoeing the wage cap – making these trades are on excessive problem. Nonetheless, there are a couple of gamers that would probably be in the marketplace if the correct deal is offered and will hopefully make the Bruins a greater group.
Trevor Zegras – Anaheim Geese
Trevor Zegras has grow to be one of many extra polarizing gamers within the league. His uncooked hockey talent, particularly his stick dealing with, is sort of plain. Everybody has seen his lacrosse objectives and flipping the puck over the again of the web for slick assists on all of the spotlight reels and montages, however the talent hasn’t essentially translated to scoring. In 22 video games this season, the 23-year-old has solely 4 objectives and 6 assists for ten factors, however has discovered current success to shut out November, placing up six factors (two objectives, 4 assists) in his final 5 video games.
Final season, Zegras battled accidents, skating in solely 31 video games all through the whole thing of the 2023-24 marketing campaign. The prolonged time without work seems to be even worse paired along with his six objectives and 15 factors that he ended the season with. Once more, the talent is there, however the skill to supply on the scoresheet is sort of regarding, particularly given the expectations many positioned on him shortly following his back-to-back 60-plus level seasons in 2021-22 and 2022-23.
Below contract till the summer time of 2026 at $5.7 million, Zegras will not be taking part in as much as what his worth ought to dictate and could possibly be stopping groups from taking the plunge to make a deal for him. There may be some frustration blended in with taking part in for a basement-feeding Geese group that can make Zegras need out, forcing Anaheim’s hand in dealing him. Not too long ago, Zegras expressed dislike for taking part in the winger place, preferring middle. Boston might use an extra middle within the system and relying on who they ship the opposite manner, might have a middle both manner.
By way of what a commerce seems to be like relating to departing property, that’s the place it will get difficult. Boston must ship out a roster participant to assist make up a number of the cash coming in, somebody like Trent Frederic or a Morgan Geekie, if Anaheim would take them, plus a couple of picks, Windfall gamers like Fabian Lysell or Georgii Merkulov, and the Geese retaining cash – there can possibly be a candy spot someplace. Both manner, Zegras’ playmaking talent has the potential to search out success on a Boston group desperately needing some uncooked expert forwards to help David Pastrnak. Zegras might be that participant.
Brandon Tanev – Seattle Kraken
Seattle is off to a tough begin to their season and promoting could also be within the not-so-distant future. Because it stands proper now, the Kraken are sixth within the Pacific Division, solely two factors forward of the last-place Geese. If their play continues this fashion, they’ll grow to be a top-selling group, seeking to achieve some futures for expiring offers. A kind of could also be 32-year-old Brandon Tanev.
Earlier in November, Each day Faceoff’s Frank Seravelli listed Tanev as quantity seven on his commerce goal board, citing that the Kraken might have to maneuver a ahead as soon as defenseman Vince Dunn returns from damage. Tanev is cheaper than Zegras, solely on the books for the rest of this season at $3.5 million and given his age, might not have as excessive of worth because the Geese ahead. In 2024-25 up to now, Tanev has 5 objectives and ten factors in 25 video games performed, typically getting fourth-line time with Tye Kartye and Yanni Gourde. Whereas not practically as expert offensively as Zegras, Tanev is a tough forechecker with a excessive motor that appears to slot in Boston’s supreme system contemplating the forwards normal supervisor Don Sweeney goes after.
Associated: Bruins’ Offensive Struggles Turning into Main Difficulty
Because the months go on and the commerce deadline looms nearer, extra groups can be in on Tanev given his cheaper worth and talent so as to add offensive depth on a playoff roster. For the Bruins searching for our bodies down the ahead core, he could be a excellent possibility who additionally brings some veteran presence as a ten-year NHL veteran. Seattle will doubtless be searching for prospects and/or picks coming again the opposite manner which as talked about earlier than, Boston lacks, however including a couple of second or third-round picks could also be sufficient to get the job carried out.
Taylor Corridor – Chicago Blackhawks
Reunion anybody?
Taylor Corridor‘s time in Boston was fairly liked by the followers, ever since he was acquired by the group from the Buffalo Sabres in 2021. In a wage cap-less world, Corridor would in all probability nonetheless be on Boston to at the present time, however sadly, with Pastrnak and Jeremy Swayman offers coming quickly and Boston having to shed their losses, Corridor was traded to the Blackhawks within the offseason following Boston’s seismic loss to the Florida Panthers within the first spherical.
Corridor remains to be new to Chicago as an damage solely ten video games into 2023-24 ended his season early. He has already doubled his video games performed from final season, taking part in 22 video games this season. After a sluggish begin to his marketing campaign, the 33-year-old Corridor put up a hat trick on Nov. 27 in opposition to the Dallas Stars, bringing his aim complete to 5. Chicago remains to be within the depths of their rebuild, so profitable will not be wherever sooner or later, however Corridor remains to be missing a Stanley Cup so wanting to have the ability to full that lifelong aim can possibly drive his manner again to Boston.
Hat Trick (Taylor’s Model)🚨 pic.twitter.com/qWEdo8KhaM
— Blackhawks on CHSN (@CHSN_Blackhawks) November 28, 2024
Not lengthy earlier than the three-goal efficiency in opposition to the Stars, Corridor was healthy-scratched by Blackhawks head coach Luke Richardson who believed the previous Hart Trophy winner (league MVP) wanted a “reset”. Richardson’s resolution was a shock to Corridor, saying “If there have been some conversations within the days main up about my recreation, or if I used to be always being proven video, it could be one factor,” Corridor stated. “I used to be a bit stunned.”
Hindsight is all the time 20/20 because the scratching paid off, but it surely doesn’t imply the Blackhawks gained’t entertain a transfer, as if something, the great efficiency reveals Corridor remains to be able to not solely taking part in at a excessive degree, however producing at one too. Boston is used to Corridor and he’ll instantly deliver some scoring contact, talent, and pace to the wing – filling a number of the holes on the Bruins’ roster. Wage turns into a difficulty once more right here, as he’s within the ultimate yr of his $6 million contract. Frederic, Geekie, or one of many defensemen not named Charlie McAvoy, Hampus Lindholm or Brandon Carlo might be despatched out to ease this plus Chicago retaining cash on their aspect.
Boston is scheduled to play Chicago within the first week of December, maybe Corridor might swap locker rooms proper round recreation time.
Time Is Operating Out to Make a Transfer
Sunday’s (Dec. 1) win over the Montreal Canadiens marks the fourth in six video games since Sacco overtook the top teaching place, however life will not be excellent in Boston. A 12-11-3 document has the Bruins fourth within the Atlantic Division for factors share, combating with different Japanese Convention groups for a possible wild card state of affairs come mid-April. The protection has improved and glimpses of a greater offense is in sight, but when they need to safely safe a playoff spot as a substitute of clawing tooth and nail simply to make it in, they’ll want Sweeney to hit the telephones and make a transfer for a ahead – sooner slightly than later.
