Five Players The Boston Bruins Should Target At The Deadline

As the National Hockey League reaches its All-Star break, the Boston Bruins find themselves at 26-14-3 and in fourth place in the Atlantic Division. The Bruins have met some obstacles in the first half.

The season started with an unbalanced schedule that gave the team long breaks, preventing Boston from gaining any rhythm or momentum. Their best player, Brad Marchand, missed five games but still leads the team with 49 points. And COVID made its way through the lineup, causing the coaching staff to call on 30 different players, excluding the three goaltenders. The Bruins still have three games in hand with second-place Tampa Bay and have played four fewer games than first-place Florida.

So what should the expectation be for the Boston Bruins in 2021-22? The Bruins have gained some ground in the standings, but how does the team compare to the top teams in the Eastern Conference? If this is the last season for captain Patrice Bergeron, should the team go all out to try and win another Stanley Cup?

The Bruins will undoubtedly have to make a few moves to improve the roster to make that Cup run. The question will be whether these moves will improve the roster enough to compete for the championship. The needs are pretty straightforward. A second-line center is at the forefront. Another reliable defenseman is also needed. So who should be the Bruins’ most sought-after targets? Here are my five most desired additions:

1. J.T Miller C – Vancouver Canucks

Miller is a versatile, underrated forward and reports are that the 28-year-old is available. Miller’s cap hit is $5.25 million, and there is still one year left on his deal. The Bruins would have to move some salary to make it work, but it should be worth it. The 6’1″ 220 pound Ohio native has 44 points in 44 games and can fill the second-line center hole for Boston. The thought of Miller with Taylor Hall and David Pastrnak is rather dreamy.

2. Phil Kessel RW – Arizona Coyotes

Kessel would be returning to Boston, where he totaled 126 points in 222 games from 2006-09. The 34-year-old winger is still productive, with 29 points in 45 games this season. Kessel could be slotted with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand and would help the second power-play unit. The good news is that Kessel could be had for maybe a second-round pick, which you do every time if you are Boston.

3. Claude Giroux C/LW – Philadelphia Flyers

Giroux has 35 points in 42 games on a struggling Flyers team. Like Kessel, Giroux could provide a veteran presence who would help either of the top two lines. The Ontario native is also 34 years old and should be hungry to win his first Stanley Cup.

4. Alex DeBrincat RW – Chicago Blackhawks

The 24-year-old winger is an underrated young star playing for a disaster of a franchise. This may be a little more of a reach for Boston, but Chicago could look to rebuild by trading the 2016 second-round pick. The cap hit is $6.4 million, and DeBrincat will be a restricted free agent after the 2022-23 season. The Blackhawks will be looking for a massive return. Still, it is worth a conversation for Bruins general manager Don Sweeney. Alex DeBrincat, and his 26 goals, with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand, moves the needle for sure.

5. Damon Severson D – New Jersey Devils

This one is a little off the grid but might make sense. The Devils are bad and would welcome a return for Severson, who is a right-shot defenseman who could slot in on the second or third defense pair for Boston. Severson is 28 years and signed through 2022-23 with a cap hit of $4.1 million. The Bruins could use another defenseman, and Severson provides a little offense too. If a top-tier d-man is too expensive or unavailable, a guy like Damon Severson could be useful.

As the deadline approaches, the Bruins will be attached to many available players as they usually are. The key is whether Boston is willing to take a risk or two to make a legitimate run at the Stanley Cup.

Season 4. Episode 17. Stanley Cup Parade Back On? – Bruins Benders Podcast

Join the Bruins Benders Podcast as they cover the HOTTEST topics in the Boston Bruins market, along with…- Charlie McAvoy Out With Injury- David Pastrnak & Brad Marchand: The Fued- Are the Bruins Back?- Matt Poitras Called Up& Much More!Bruins Benders Premium Hoodies $55https://shop.insidetherink.com/products/get-bent-premium-hoodieBruins Benders Long Sleeve Tee $40https://shop.insidetherink.com/products/bruins-benders-long-sleeve-tee-1Bruins Benders Tee $30https://shop.insidetherink.com/products/bruins-benders-t-shirt-1For more from us, visit: insidetherink.com/bruins-bendersBoston Bruins Trade Rumors, Boston Bruins News, Boston Bruins, 2024 NHL Free Agency, Jeremy Swayman, Restricted Free Agent, Boston Bruins Prospects, NHL Preseason, Joonas Korpisalo, Fabian Lysell, Georgii Merkulov, Nikita Zadorov, Jeremy Swayman, Lineup Predictions, NHL Season, Fire Don Sweeney, Fire Jim Montgomery, NHL Coaching Search, NHL Coaches Hot Seat, Brad Marchand Contract Extension, Boston Bruins Lines, Boston Bruins Line Changes, Trent Frederic Trade Rumors, Tyler Johnson Signing, Four Nation Face-Off, Team Canada, Jim Montgomery Fired, Joe Sacco, Brandon Carlo Trade, Jeremy Swayman Trade, Hampus Lindholm Injury#nhl #nhlbruins #hockey #bostonbruins #nhlplayoffs #bruins #nhlhockey #nhlmemes #boston #nhlallstar #nhldiscussion #nhlnews #nhledits #nhldraft #bruinsnation #nhlawards #nhltrade #hockeylife #tdgarden #nhlhighlights #bostonsports #bruinshockey #bruinsfan #nhlblackhawks #nhlglobalseries #nhlfi #nhlleafs #nhltrades #nhltradedeadline #nhlcanadiens #nhl #nhlnews #hockey #nhlhockey #nhlplayoffs #nhledits #nhldiscussion #nhlmemes #nhldraft #nhlallstar #hockeylife #hockeynews #hockeymemes #nhlhighlights #icehockey #sports #hockeyislife #nhlbruins #hockeyplayers #hockeyfan #hockeyplayer #hockeyedits #stanleycup #nhlawards #hockeygame #hockeyboys #hockeygram #hockeyfights #nhltrade #nhltradesInside The RinkGet Bent Premium HoodieWho knew that the softest hoodie you'll ever own comes with such a cool design. You won't regret buying this classic streetwear piece of apparel with a convenient pouch pocket and warm hood for chilly evenings. • 100% cotton face • 65% ring-spun cotton, 35% polyester • Front pouch pocket • Self-fabric patch on the backhttps://shop.insidetherink.com/products/get-bent-premium-hoodieInside The RinkBruins Benders Long Sleeve T-ShirtEnrich your wardrobe with a versatile long sleeve tee. For a casual look, combine it with your favorite jeans, and layer it with a button-up shirt, a zip-up hoodie, or a snazzy jacket. Dress it up with formal trousers or chinos to achieve a more professional look. • 100% airlume combed ring-spun cotton • Heather colorshttps://shop.insidetherink.com/products/bruins-benders-long-sleeve-tee-1Inside The RinkBruins Benders T-ShirtThis t-shirt is everything you've dreamed of and more. It feels soft and lightweight, with the right amount of stretch. It's comfortable and flattering for all. • 100% combed and ring-spun cotton (Heather colors contain polyester) • Fabric weight: 4.2 oz./yd.² (142 g/m²) • Pre-shrunk fabric • Side-seamed construction •https://shop.insidetherink.com/products/bruins-benders-t-shirt-1

1. Season 4. Episode 17. Stanley Cup Parade Back On? 58:45
2. Season 4. Episode 16. Gutsy Loss 46:58
3. Season 4. Episode 15. Public Skate 50:19
4. Season 4. Episode 14. West Coast Road Trip. 41:21
5. Season 4. Episode 13. This Is Not the Sway 01:14:21