Report: Bruins Receiving Trade Calls On Veterans
By:Mike Grinnell
According to CSNNE.com Joe Haggerty, the Boston Bruins have had recent trade discussion involving Brad Marchand and captain, Zdeno Chara.
“According to separate hockey sources, there has been some level of recent trade discussion about veterans Zdeno Chara and Brad Marchand with other teams around the league, just to name a few B’s players. The talks haven’t been substantial but more exploratory in nature, as the team quietly gauges the market value of higher-priced veterans who may not fit in the long-term picture if the decision is made to tear down the current roster.”
So it doesn’t look like a trade is going to happen any time soon, but the mere fact that there has been discussions should get Bruins fans thinking. Is Sweeney thinking full rebuild? If Sweeney does intend to go full rebuild, then trading Zdeno Chara makes sense.
We saw last season, how high the demand for defense is around the trade deadline. If the Hurricanes can get a 1st round pick and a prospect for Andrej Sekera from the Kings, imagine what the Bruins could pull for Chara?
The 38-year-old has been a crucial part of the Bruins core since 2006 and was the centerpiece in a 2011 Stanley Cup run that brought the Bruins their first Stanley Cup since 1972.
When healthy, Chara can be a top 5 defensemen in the NHL, so if Sweeney isn’t thinking full-tank-rebuild, then they should keep Big Z around.
I understand why teams are calling on Marchand, who wouldn’t want a 20-goal-scorer who can give your team an edge by his “gritty” style of play? When the Bruins are severely lacking offense, it would confuse me why you would part ways with your leading goal scorer.
Like I mentioned before though, if you are going full-tank-rebuild, then trading him in-season would produce the highest return, and is something Don Sweeney and the Bruins should think about.
It is to early to jump off the Bruins bandwagon and start trading away all your core pieces. The Bruins poor play can be attributed to the injuries of Zdeno Chara and Dennis Seidenberg and to young defensemen getting acclimated in the NHL, in Morrow, Trotman, and Miller.
If the Bruins ship continues to sink, expect the unexpected from Bruins GM Don Sweeney, no one will be untouchable.
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