I don't think we'd have much interest in LD, but LW might be a different story. We certainly have more than our fair share of left-handed forwards, but Boudreau had just about everyone playing on their off wing at some point last season. Under the circumstances I'm not sure that handedness would be a deal-breaker.
So there is Vatrano, Heinen, Bjork and DeBrusk. All are NHL ready.
Vatrano: The oldest of the bunch at 23. Busted his ankle last season and was playing hurt (had to get back into the boot after the season ended). Boasts in NHL elite shot. And I don't throw that around lightly. He back checks hard, but the rest of the defensive game isn't good. The ankle injury took away his burst and he struggled because of it. 18 goals in 83 NHL games while playing about 13 mins a game. Upside for a lot more. I'm higher on him than most on the Bruins board and think he can be a great instant offense secondary scorer. He can play both wings, but, on either side, his away from the puck game isn't good.
Heinen: Smart high IQ guy. Had a great AHL playoffs. Not undersized, per say, but not big. In his NHL time early last season, he was smart and made the right play, but lacked enough burst and pace. Seems like he improved upon that over the AHL season. Think a poor man's Loui Eriksson. Can play both wings, and played mostly RW (on his offside) in college. One of those guys that the more you watch him, the more you think he is really good.
Bjork: Hobey Baker finalist that just signed with Boston. Legit top 6 upside. Fast and plays with a lot of pace. Responsible defensively. Pencilled in on Krejci's LW in most offseason lineups. Played on his off wing (RW) in college, too. Not sure on a team that hits the college scene so hard, if signing him and dealing him right away is something they would do.
DeBrusk: Great hands and knows how to work in the corners and down low. Shifty and aggressive around the net. Good vision for quick passes down low. Basically, just really damn good once the game gets below the face-off dots. High floor as that style can play up and down the lineup. Not so slow that he is going to have trouble in the NHL, but not a rush player.
