The Boston Bruins are approaching the upcoming trade deadline with an eye on improving a club that is off to a historic start this season. The Bruins are 41-8-5 and tied the 2015-16 Washington Capitals for the fastest team to 40 wins in a regular season. There don’t seem to be many holes in the roster with two good goaltenders, four effective lines, veteran center play, and two of the top-performing defensemen in the league.
That being said, General Manager Don Sweeney has expressed an interest in adding depth to the club. One area could be on defense, particularly with a player who has some size and physicality. Finding a younger player who can remain on the team beyond this season would be a bonus. One candidate is available, but not a player in the NHL currently.
Valtteri Pulli, an undrafted Finnish defenseman, is drawing interest from several NHL clubs. Pulli can leave for the NHL after his season ends in late March. Among those teams interested is the Boston Bruins, as reported recently by Jeff Marek on the 32 Thoughts Podcast on SportsNet.
Marek had this to say about the potential courting of the 6-foot-6 left-shot blue liner. “A number of teams have shown interest but at varying degrees. I’ve heard of a couple different teams that are really hot on him, and a couple that just will kick tires. I’m having a hard time trying to figure out who is really aggressive and who is just curious.
It sounds like the teams with interest (and again to varying degrees) are the San Jose Sharks…the Winnipeg Jets, the Boston Bruins, the Vancouver Canucks, the Nashville Predators, the Pittsburgh Penguins, and the New York Islanders.”
Pulli is 21 years old and has not been drafted to a National Hockey League team, making him an unrestricted free agent. The Turku, Finland native is playing for TPS in the Liiga League and is having his best statistical season with three goals and 11 assists in 47 games. But his size is what is attractive to NHL teams. Pulli is more of a stay-at-home defender who could help add size and physicality to the Bruins’ blue line.
The Bruins have also been linked to Jacob Chychrun of the Arizona Coyotes and Luke Schenn of the Vancouver Canucks as potential fits on defense. But If those options do not materialize, a cheaper, low-risk option could be the 210-pound Pulli.
Season 4. Episode 39. The Off Season – Bruins Benders Podcast
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“Jacob Chychrun of the Arizona Coyotes and Luke Schenn of the St. Louis Blues ”
*Vancouver Canucks