With the trade deadline quickly approaching, Steve Yzerman is likely finalizing his list of possible destinations for numerous Red Wings trade assets. One of the divisions that’s full of teams willing to buy is the East division – the Bruins, Flyers, Penguins, Islanders and Capitals are all teams that will probably lean towards buying at the deadline. Earlier, we looked at three Central Division teams and what they could yield. (Note: it was written before the Red Wings announced they were shutting Bobby Ryan down for the season).
For this piece we’ll look at the Bruins, Flyers and Penguins. With the playoffs right around the corner, each team is looking for that final piece to propel them to contention. Knowing that Patrik Nemeth garnered a ’22 fourth round pick from Colorado, we have at least a baseline for what other players could possibly bring back in the way of a draft pick.
Boston Bruins
Cap Space: $5.24 Million
Red Wings In Play: Adam Erne
The Bruins are a team that need to add if they want to vie for more than just playoff contention. At fourth in the East and six points ahead of the Flyers, the Bruins will likely be a team in the playoffs this year, but currently, they do not look like a team that can raise the Cup. At least not yet.
They have struggled mightily with depth scoring this year. They’ve been shutout three times this year, and outside of the top line, few have produced consistently. That’s where Adam Erne comes in. He provides a much needed commodity for Boston – depth scoring. Erne is a top six on the team in points, and third in goals with nine, behind only Dylan Larkin and Robby Fabbri (both at ten goals).
Best Case:
2nd rounder.
In a best case for Detroit, the Bruins get desperate and give up a second rounder for Erne to bolster their scoring.
Realistic:
2021 3rd round pick or 2022 3rd–conditional 2nd based on Erne’s performance or Boston’s success (conference finals) in the playoffs.