Boston Bruins: Could the Winnipeg Jets be a willing trade partner?
Winnipeg does seem like a perfect trade partner for the Bruins. There may not be a better fit to deal from a position of strength to a team who has some valuable assets they could send back to Boston.
While the Jets are thin on the backend, the Bruins are quite deep. In fact, when everybody’s healthy, the Bruins have too many NHL defensemen on the roster.
With Byfuglien out and Morrisey injured, the Jets’ defense is nothing short of a mess at the start of the season. This isn’t good news for a team with Stanley Cup aspirations.
According to Mike McIntrye of the Winnipeg Free Press, the
Jets may need to consider outside help to solidly the defense. A trade seems like the only way for the Jets to bring in an impact defender who can help the team win right now.
The Bruins started all three games this year with the same six defensemen:
Zdeno Chara,
Charlie McAvoy,
Torey Krug,
Brandon Carlo,
Matt Grzelcyk, and
Connor Clifton. Things will change once
John Moore or
Kevan Miller come back from injury. The Bruins will need an extra roster spot to activate either Moore or Miller.
Then there’s
Boston’s group of prospects. Even with Chara’s retirement on the horizon, the Bruins organizational depth chart is loaded with left-shot defensemen.
Jeremy Lauzon looks ready to play right in the NHL now, and
Urho Vaakanainen isn’t far behind. Both players are currently in Providence.
Jakub Zboril is there, too. The Bruins could entice Winnipeg with one of these young defensemen. Or, they could trade a veteran like Moore and replace him with Lauzon.
One player who may be of particular interest to Winnipeg is Torey Krug.
Boston obviously prefers to
sign Krug to an extension. But, if Krug’s contract demands prove to be too high, don’t the Bruins have to consider a trade? They can’t afford to lose Krug this offseason for nothing.
The Jets need an injection of playoff experience and character. They need somebody who’s played and excelled in big games. And, of course, they need some help on defense. Doesn’t this sound like Krug?
Again, the Bruins want to resign Krug.
GM Don Sweeney said as much before the season started. However, if Winnipeg inquires, the Bruins have to listen.