By this level within the Boston Bruins’ season, it’s turn into obvious that they don’t have a obtrusive weak spot.

From the goalie tandem outward, the group is stacked and taking part in arguably the franchise’s best-ever regular-season hockey.

They’ve high-end ability, top-six scoring, depth scoring, puck-moving defensemen, defensive defensemen, physicality, grit and dominant goaltending.

At this level, the Bruins simply want insurance coverage from potential accidents which may happen the remainder of the season or within the playoffs.

Whereas followers and media have puzzled whether or not the Bruins may or would commerce for both Bo Horvat or Patrick Kane, that’s not an “insurance coverage coverage.”

With their wage cap scenario and the fee through draft picks and participant capital, buying and selling for both of these gamers can be like taking out an additional mortgage on a mansion to afford an insurance coverage coverage on a Ferrari.

(I’m not an insurance coverage dealer, so possibly that’s not apples to apples.)

With the commerce deadline a few months away, we’re all trying round to see what names could also be on the Bruins’ procuring record.

Nevertheless, as a substitute of a giant identify, the Bruins could also be higher served by snatching up a participant who might not generate as many headlines.

Let’s take a look at some candidates.

Heart: Nick Bjugstad, Arizona Coyotes

Arizona Coyotes ahead Nick Bjugstad can be a logical and inexpensive alternative.

The 6’6 centerman is having his greatest season since 2018-19, with 10 objectives and 7 assists for 17 factors.

His one-year, $900,000 contract expires on the finish of the season and is greater than inexpensive for a Bruins group that’s up towards the wage cap.

Bjugstad has been transferring up and down the Coyotes’ lineup however normally finds himself taking part in second- and third-line minutes at middle. He may also play wing.

The place would he match within the Bruins’ lineup? He’s received the ability and scoring capacity to play on the Bruins’ third line, however you definitely wouldn’t take him over Charlie Coyle or Taylor Corridor.

The best choice for the Bruins can be to make use of him as a fourth-line middle, which alongside Nick Foligno, would make the Bruins even scarier relating to offensive firepower.

Bjugstad is an enchancment over Tomas Nosek within the defensive zone particularly, but additionally within the offensive zone.

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If Trent Frederic went down with an harm or Jake DeBrusk suffered a setback, Bjugstad can be a succesful alternative.

What wouldn’t it value? Not that a lot. The Hockey Information pegged him as value a “fourth- or fifth-round decide”, although the worth might rise as a consequence of deadline inflation.

That will be effectively value it to solidify an already dominant group

Wing: Kyle Okposo, Buffalo Sabres

Kyle Okposo would slot in completely with the Bruins, however relating to his affordability, he’s borderline.

Although he does have a modified no-trade clause, which limits the variety of suitors and theoretically would drive his value down, the Bruins would nonetheless should pay closely.

Hypothetically, suppose the Bruins wished to rearrange a commerce with the Buffalo Sabres for Okposo.

In that case, they’d want the Sabres to retain loads of Okposo’s $6 million contract that expires after this season. Buffalo is on the playoff bubble, but it surely isn’t performed with its rebuild but.

At age 34, Okposo shouldn’t be within the Sabers’ future plans. Moreover, Buffalo has loads of cap area to weaponize.

This all goes to say Okposo must be out there (supplied he hasn’t listed the Bruins on his no-trade record), but when the Bruins need him and wish Buffalo to retain his contract, they’re going to should ship them one thing juicy, like a excessive draft decide and or a prospect.

Would it not be value it for Okposo? If the Bruins are promoting out to win this season, undoubtedly.

Once more, this wouldn’t be an earth-shattering acquisition, however his 16 factors are in a distinct league than Chris Wagner and Craig Smith.

He may be part of the fourth line and, very like Bjugstad, would supply the Bruins with an much more potent and deep ahead lineup.

He may play up the lineup in case of harm and would supply one more veteran presence.

Protection: Ethan Bear, Vancouver Canucks

After spending the early a part of his profession with the Edmonton Oilers – together with a breakout season throughout which he notched 21 factors in 71 video games – Ethan Bear has needed to pack his suitcase a number of occasions.

First, he was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes after which to the Vancouver Canucks.

Bear can contribute some offense, and he’s bodily and succesful in his defensive zone.

Although he wouldn’t be an enormous improve in comparison with most Bruins defensemen, he’d be an excellent insurance coverage coverage for a participant like Derek Forbort, whose penchant for consuming pucks has already resulted in an harm and will once more.

He’s additionally a lot better than further defenseman Jakub Zboril, who has been largely a spectator this season.

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Is it sufficient to ship property to the Canucks and take a look at to slot in his $2.2 million wage cap hit?

He’s clearly proficient and younger, plus the Bruins would retain his rights after the contract expired since Bear would nonetheless be a restricted free agent. However that may additionally make him extra pricey when it comes to property the Bruins would want to ship to the Canucks.

Bear would assist the Bruins get only a fraction higher within the brief time period.

Moreover, with Connor Clifton having a profession season coming into unrestricted free company, it could additionally give the Bruins a possible alternative in case Clifton’s price ticket will get too excessive.

As we get nearer to the commerce deadline, it’s straightforward to get caught up within the potential for the Bruins to commerce for a shiny object like Horvat, Kane, or Jakob Chychrun, however don’t overlook there are cheaper however legitimate choices to make the Bruins much more strong than they already are.