As per a recent report by Jimmy Murphy of Boston Hockey Now, the scribe suggests the Boston Bruins might be looking at two players on the trade market that could help the team as it pushes towards a playoff run this season. One is Jake Virtanen. The other is Mattias Ekholm.
Related: Insider Hints Predators Mattias Ekholm Getting Trade Interest
Murphy cited TSN’s Darren Dreger comments on both Virtanen and Adam Gaudette‘s availability out of Vancouver. Suggesting the Canucks needed to trade Virtanen but not take a lot of salary back, Murphy believes the Bruins have looked into what it would take to trade for the forward.
There’s been speculation that a few teams are interested, but also word that no one is biting on Virtanen, so it’s difficult to truly gauge what his value is in any deal.
As for Ekholm, Pierre LeBrun noted that a number of teams are hoping the defenseman shakes loose from the Nashville Predators. He added that he believes the Preds will listen to offers and it won’t be long until that team realizes it’s likely to be a seller this season. It will simply be a matter of what offers are out there.
Count the Bruins In
Murphy suggests the Bruins would and could make an offer because Ekholm would significantly upgrade their second pair. He writes, “With Matt Grzelcyk in and more out of the lineup, will Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney try to fill that second pairing left slot with Ekholm?
Unfortunately for the Bruins, they won’t be the only team in the hunt and it could cost a significant draft pick or prospect. The key here is that Ekholm is not just a rental. He’s got one more season on his deal after this year, so there’s value in a trade, even if he doesn’t move the needle as far as a Bruins’ playoff push goes.
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