With the Bruins needing defensive depth after having three of their defensemen undergo off-season surgery that will keep them out four to six months, general manager Don Sweeney will need to make some moves. Both Charlie McAvoy and Matt Grzelcyk had shoulder surgery while Mike Reilly had ankle surgery leaving the Bruins in a pickle, especially in their top four. The only other players currently on the roster for next season and healthy are Hampus Lindholm, Brandon Carlo, Derek Forbort, Connor Clifton, and Jakub Zboril. Sweeney will have to figure out a way to solidify the defense this off-season, whether it be through trade or free agency.
One name that has been gaining traction in the past weeks is Seattle Kraken Defenseman, Carson Soucy. According to Frank Seravalli, the Seattle Kraken could end up trading the 27-year-old this summer. For the Bruins, who are cap-strapped and may not want to invest long-term, Soucy is entering the final year of his contract that carries a $2.75 million AAV after quietly putting together a strong 2021-22 season. In 64 games, he scored an impressive ten goals and recorded 21 points. With the Kraken not looking like a playoff team, they could look to move the 27-year-old defenseman who’s entering his prime and coming off his best NHL season as they look to maximize his trade value while it is at its highest.
The 6’5″ and 211 lbs left-shot defenseman was originally drafted in the 5th round, 137th overall by the Minnesota Wild in the 2013 NHL Entry Level Draft. In his three full seasons in the league, Soucy has improved his points total each season and just set a career-high in goals this past season with ten. In 172 games, the big-bodied defenseman has tallied 18 goals and 34 assists for 52 points while posting an impressive plus-43 rating showing the positive impact he brings to the ice.
The Bruins could benefit from adding a defenseman with his size and offensive upside, two things the team lacked last year and got exposed by in the playoffs. For the Bruins, they most likely can acquire Soucy with a draft pick. This previous season especially at the trade deadline, showed Kraken’s game plan of stockpiling picks to build this team through the draft and using them as potential trade chips. If the Kraken can’t sign Soucy long-term or the right phone call comes in about his availability, expect the Kraken to pull the trigger and salvage some value before he walks away for nothing.
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