The absolute number one priority for the Bruins must be acquiring a legitimate top six center or two (yes I said two). With all due respect for those clamoring for an upgrade on LD hear me out.
I too would love to see an upgrade on LD - someone with size, aggressiveness, willing to drop the gloves to protect a teammate, smart(hockey IQ), a penalty killer who eats minutes all night long, and most importantly sets a tone where the other team knows they can't take liberties. That defensive presence would be ideal. However, at the moment that is a secondary need for this team. The Bruins currently have depth on D both on the pro roster and in the minors where there are some intriguing prospects either knocking on the door or a year or two away. Defense is quietly the Bruins depth strength in the organization, where they can pretty much plug n play interchanging bodies without too much of a drop off. The drawback is most of these prospects just need time and experience to acclimate their game to the pro level. Sweeny is stubbornly patient if nothing else and will sit on the prospects letting them simmer on the back burner until they are well done.
Now, consider what would happen in this worst-case-scenario ... God forbid Bergeron is injured for an extended length of time, say 4 - 6 weeks or longer. Who then becomes the teams number one center? Coyle? Haula? Studnicka? A game or two maybe, but not for an extended length of time. The Bruins front office focus has to be targeting a top six center that has to be their priority.
From a veteran center best fit perspective Tomas Hertl seems like a logical target assuming he would then sign long term, but I've been beating that drum for over a year now.
There are other options out there and without considering cost to acquire, players age, cap hit, years left on their contact ... some people at various times have floated these names. The big question is what will Sweeney be willing to give up to acquire any of these; will he go "all in" this year or will his eyes be on the future? Sweeney hates tto give up first round draft picks (especially this draft) and promising prospects, but it should really come down to whom is coming back.
Listing these names does not mean I agree with all these names.
Some other possible targets that have been previously mentioned:
Claude Giroux, Philly / William Karlsson, Vegas / Joe Pavelski, Dallas / Dylan Strome, Chi / Ryan Getzlaf, Adam Henrique, ANA / J.T. Miller, Bo Horvat, Van / Max Domi, Boone Jenner, CBJ / Mason Appleton, Sea / RNH, Edm / ...
Not all those names move the needle, some are old, some are just depth, some have high cap ... Or will Sweeney go off the board and target someone totally unexpected, someone thought to be untouchable???
Whatever Sweeney does center should be the first priority and then address the D.
