Bruins after top-six forward, right-shot defenceman — The Fourth Period
The Boston Bruins are looking to address two areas of their club before the trade deadline kicks in next Friday and GM Don Sweeney in the market for a top-six forward and a right-shot defenceman.
The Bruins tried to acquire Rasmus Andersson earlier in the season, before the Calgary Flames dealt him to the Vegas Golden Knights, and remain on the hunt for a top-four blueliner with a right shot.
Boston is also scouring the market for help up front and TFP’s David Pagnotta reported the club’s preference is to add another centre, though they are not opposed to bolstering themselves on the wing.
According to Pagnotta, one piece the Bruins are dangling and have made available is young forward Matthew Poitras, who is in the final year of his entry-level contract.
The 21-year-old has been limited to just three NHL games this season, scoring in one of them, but has collected nine goals and 21 assists for 30 points in 47 games with the AHL’s Providence Bruins so far this season.
The Bruins have been linked to such players as St. Louis captain Brayden Schenn and defenceman Justin Faulk, Vancouver Canucks winger Conor Garland, Philadelphia Flyers blueliner Rasmus Ristolainen, and Flames rearguard Mackenzie Weegar, among others.
View TFP’s Trade Watch List
Sweeney has just over $3.4 million in current salary cap space to play with and may need to move a roster player out if he tries to complete a major addition by the March 6 deadline.
The Bruins currently hold the final wildcard seed in the Eastern Conference with a 32-20-5 record and 69 points through 57 games.
