The Boston Bruins are the best in the NHL this season, as they have cruised to a 39-7-5 record and 83 points. It has been a memorable season as this team continues to reach marks never seen before. Now coming out of the All-star break, the Bruins will have to wait till February 11th to get back on the ice and continue their winning ways. With 31 games remaining, the Bruins are gearing up for a playoff run, but first, they must address the March 3rd trade deadline, which is less than a month away.
The Bruins’ success has been thanks to a complete team effort, as the team has gotten production from the whole roster. Even with this level of success, general manager Don Sweeney understands adding a player or two at the deadline can never hurt, as depth is your friend down the stretch. Sweeney will have to decide if he will go all in on a big name or make a few minor trades to bolster the defense and bottom six. At the same time, each path has its pros and cons. If the price is right for a big-name addition that could help the team now and for years to come it makes sense. Sweeney may just pull the trigger as we have seen him do in years past with Taylor Hall and Hampus Lindholm.
The Bruins were heavily linked to center Bo Horvat as they need to address their lack of center depth for the future. Unfourtanley, Horvat was dealt to the New York Islanders last week, leaving Sweeney to rethink which player to pursue next.
Luckily for Sweeney, a new big-name player may be made available soon. Detriot Red Wings team captain Dylan Larkin could hit the trade market any day if a contract extension can not get figured out before March 3rd.
This isn’t the first time the Bruins have looked at acquiring Larkin as they attempted to trade for the 26-year-old center last year. Larkin is the type of player that would fit right in with the Bruins’ culture and their style of play, as he is a gamer. On the season, Larkin has produced 15 goals, 28 assists, and 43 points in 47 games. He has also been strong on the power play scoring seven goals and totaling 14 points. In just eight seasons, Larkin has already recorded two 30-goal campaigns and three 60-point campaigns, including a career-high 73 points.
If the Bruins wish to acquire Larkin, he will first need to waive his no-move clause and work out a long-term extension to stay in Boston. The price for acquiring Larkin will not come cheap as the Bruins will have to give up, at minimum Fabian Lysell, a first-round pick and a young roster player. The price will likely be more as the Bruins will be trying to trade within their division and need to clear salary cap for next season so they could send an extra player along with a sweetener.
This is still in the early stages as Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman will try everything to sign his star center long-term. But Yzerman is impossible to predict, and if a deal can not get worked out, we could see him try to add some assets instead of losing Larkin for nothing come July when he hits the open market as an unrestricted free agent.
This is worth keeping an eye on as the trade deadline inches closer and closer every day. If it isn’t Larkin, expect Don Sweeney to still make a move involving one of the many other names on the market.
