The Boston Bruins discover themselves in a singular and considerably unfamiliar place as they navigate the post-Jim Montgomery period. Regardless of presently holding a Wild Card spot and sitting simply 5 factors out of first place within the Atlantic Division, the Bruins will not be the place they’d hoped to be at this stage of the season. After a 47-win, 109-point marketing campaign final 12 months, the Bruins made vital strikes in free company to push for a deeper playoff run. These included signing Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov whereas committing to Jeremy Swayman because the workforce’s No. 1 goaltender. But, the Bruins began the season in a state of mediocrity, enjoying with such malaise that Montgomery was finally relieved of his duties. In response, reviews shortly emerged that the workforce was seeking to shake up the roster, with a selected concentrate on including an influence ahead.

Curiously, the New York Rangers discover themselves in a considerably comparable state of affairs to the Bruins, although they’re in a stronger place. The Rangers presently maintain the primary Wild Card spot within the Japanese Convention with 25 factors, regardless of having performed fewer video games than the three groups forward of them within the Metropolitan Division. Based on Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the Rangers are exploring roster modifications, with gamers like Chris Kreider and Jacob Trouba reportedly being mentioned as potential commerce choices.

Why Kreider Matches the Bruins’ Wants

For the Bruins, a participant like Kreider could possibly be precisely what the workforce wants, particularly given their self-imposed timeline following the signings of the soon-to-be 30-year-old Lindholm and the 29-year-old Zadorov. The Bruins are clearly in a win-now mode and present little interest in a full retool or rebuild. Buying the 33-year-old Kreider would align with their fast targets.

Kreider carries a $6.5 million cap hit this season and for the subsequent two seasons. He’s no stranger to commerce rumors, particularly ones linking him to the Bruins, largely attributable to his Massachusetts roots and his bodily, Bruins-style method to hockey. This season, Kreider has scored 9 targets in 19 video games, although only one in his final six contests. Traditionally, he has been one of many NHL’s most constant gamers, with 30 or extra targets in every of the previous three seasons, together with 39 final season, 36 the 12 months prior, and 52 in 2021-22. Moreover, he has posted 75-plus factors in two of the earlier three seasons, with a constant flooring of 20 targets yearly.

Buying a 33-year-old signed by means of age 36 isn’t splendid. Kreider’s age and bodily enjoying type clearly include dangers, nevertheless, the Bruins have proven a willingness to decide to gamers of their 30s, as seen with Lindholm’s latest deal. Kreider has additionally but to point out vital indicators of decline, making the gamble much less daunting.

At $6.5 million yearly, his cap hit can be comparatively cheap for a top-six ahead by at this time’s requirements, particularly with the wage cap anticipated to proceed rising.

Potential Lineup Impression

If the Bruins can assemble a top-six lineup that includes David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand, Pavel Zacha, Charlie Coyle, Lindholm, and Kreider, they might instantly be in a greater place than they had been coming into the season, even when Kreider must play out of place on the correct facet equally to how Jake DeBrusk did throughout his most profitable years in Boston. The price of buying Kreider, nevertheless, may current challenges. The Rangers are in search of NHL-caliber gamers who can instantly enhance their roster, much like the Bruins. Facilitating “hockey trades” are sometimes tough as each groups must really feel as if they’re enhancing; it isn’t promised future worth of prospects or draft picks in change for established expertise with two groups holding completely different targets.

This implies Bruins’ gamers reminiscent of Morgan Geekie, Trent Frederic, or Justin Brazeau—together with nearly any defender outdoors of Charlie McAvoy and certain Hampus Lindholm—could possibly be a part of commerce discussions. The Bruins even have prospects like Georgii Merkulov and Fabian Lysell, who may sweeten a deal. Buying and selling away key prospects would additional commit Boston to short-term success on the expense of long-term sustainability, which is a dangerous transfer as they frequently kick the can down the highway

Associated: Bruins’ Teaching Change Can Result in Success Just like Oilers & Wild

No matter what a commerce seems to be like, the Bruins ought to on the very least be selecting up the cellphone and calling the Rangers to see if there’s any mutual curiosity in facilitating a deal. The Bruins are 2-0-0 since transferring on from Montgomery, however this shouldn’t preclude them from enhancing the workforce.