1 NHL trade that every ‘Original Six’ team needs to make
The original six NHL teams, the Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins, New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Chicago Blackhawks, and Detroit Red Wings, were the NHL’s inaugural franchises.
Each of these storied franchises is eager to reclaim glory. To enhance their rosters, here is a strategic trade suggestion for each team that could bolster their chances of success.
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Toronto Maple Leafs: Trade Morgan Reilly
The Toronto Maple Leafs’ offseason has been good, but another move should be in the works to get this team even stronger. Their blue line is good with the addition of Darren Raddysh; the bottom six could use some veteran help, and adding a player like Michael Bunting would be a nice addition.
But the Leafs are in a cap space problem. Trading Morgan Rielly could be one move up their sleeve if they want to shed some cap space and bring in more forward help via free agency or trade.
Chicago Blackhawks: Add a Forward
The Blackhawks are going to need more scoring with Connor Bedard sidelined with an injury. There are plenty of forwards still searching for a home, and some are intriguing players such as Eeli Tolvanen, Michael Bunting, and Vladimir Tarasenko.
All of these guys can make an immediate impact on this team with their veteran leadership, and they all have some gas left in the tank.
Montreal Canadiens: Trade for a Center
The market in free agency is thin for 2nd-line center help, and Jake Evans doesn’t produce enough. If the Canadiens want to help their scoring to another level, trading for Mathew Barzal from the Islanders helps their dynamic significantly. Barzal sets up his teammates very well and can produce well on the power play with guys like Cole Caufield and Ivan Demidov on his wings.
Dylan Larkin is another player that the Canadiens can look to trade for as well. They have the money to make a trade, and they should call up the Islanders or Red Wings for a blockbuster deal. The Islanders and Canadiens made a big trade involving Noah Dobson before, and they certainly can do it again.
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Boston Bruins: Acquire a Center
Another team that should be in the market to upgrade their number one center is the Boston Bruins. Now, the Bruins got a great season out of Pavel Zacha last year, but he is not a 1st-line center. If Dylan Larkin doesn’t want to waive his no-movement clause to Boston, which right now Larkin has on its no-movement clause, then in any trade regarding Boston, Larkin can say no to it.
Larkin to Boston makes sense. Boston has the picks to get it done; it would take a chunk out of their prospect pool, but if the Bruins want to still contend, they need to convince Dylan Larkin to go to Boston. Another name that comes to mind is Shane Wright of the Seattle Kraken
Detroit Red Wings: Trade Dylan Larkin
The Red Wings unfortunately aren’t a contender, and Dylan Larkin wants out, and you should allow him to explore his options because many teams need a center. Larkin will be costly, and the Red Wings should do everything in their power to get as much value as possible.
Larkin has a no-movement clause but has expressed that he wants to be traded, and as of now, things aren’t changing, and the best idea is to move him.
New York Rangers: Acquire a Bottom Six Player
The New York Rangers did well this offseason, trading Vincent Trocheck and acquiring Sean Durzi from Utah and Marcus Petterson from Vancouver. The biggest issue is how trustworthy their bottom six is. Their division got much better, and the Rangers can’t throw Matt Rempe is in the lineup every night on their 4th line.
They need speed in their lineup and guys who play well under a Mike Sullivan-led system. Still some names in free agency that they can acquire. It has been a solid offseason for Chris Drury and the front office, but one more move to help this forward core can be the best thing for this team.
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