BOSTON -- The Bobby Ryan trade rumors are nothing more than that at this point in time, but things could heat up if the right combination of players is found.
Orange County Register reporter Mark Whicker was on 98.5 the Sports Hubs The DA Show on Thursday night, and concluded that a Bruins trade offer of center David Krejci and a first round pick would be the one to beat and might get the deal done.
One reporters opinion is obviously a far cry from the 25-year-old right winger coming to Boston.
But a trade with the Anaheim Ducks for a 6-foot-2, 218-pound right wing thats put up 136 goals and 259 points in 334 career games is the one deal that conservative GM Peter Chiarelli might not be able to say no thanks to. If the trade does indeed include Krejci and a first rounder expected to be in the 25-30 range to an Anaheim club looking to shore up their center depth between Ryan Getzlaf and Saku Koivu, then the pieces appear to be in place for both sides.
Adding a young prospect like Jordan Caron or Ryan SpoonerJared Knight, to a Krejci and a pick package would probably be too much for one player in return, but that wouldnt be the hold-up at this point in the summer.
Sources indicated to CSNNE.com that trade talks with several teams have centered on Milan Lucic and Dougie Hamilton as desired trade pieces, and that could very well be the case with the Ducks. If thats the case then the Bruins are doing the right thing waiting it out for the price to drop on Ryan, who is a cheaper but equally productive alternative to the Rick Nash sweepstakes.
Interestingly Ryan and Krejci have scored nearly an identical number of points (259 to 276) since 2007-08 and have salary cap hits just north of 5 million each season. So there are some easy parallels in a swap of the two players, but it cant be understated how much goal-scoring is valued over pretty much anything else in NHL player evaluation circles.
Boston Bruins
Krejci has put up some electric performances in the playoffs before fizzling this spring, and couldn't play for the Bruins if he wasn't a committed top-six center in all areas. But he'll also be the highest paid forward on the Bruins next season (5.25 million per season) on a team that needs to pony up for guys namedLucic, Marchand, Seguin and Horton after this upcoming season is over.
Ryan has scored at least 31 goals and 57 points in each of his four full seasons with the Ducks, and the former No. 2 overall pick doesnt appear to be on the trading block due to any personality issues.
One former teammate of Ryans said he was a good kid during his early years in Anaheim as a 20-year-old rookie, and his personality wouldnt be a problem within the Bruins dressing room.
Instead it seems to be more about salary and cap hit with the Ducks looking to create a more balanced front line with depth and strength down the middle of the ice.
Meanwhile the Bruins covet size, strength and skill on the wing, and Ryan represents all three of those things. But Ryan has also spoken openly about his desire to severe ties with the Ducks after theyve tossed his name on the trade block multiple times, and now the pressure is on Anaheim to deal an obviously unhappy player before training camp opens in September.
Chiarelli has said he might be a player in the secondary trade market after free agency opened, and hes kept his word about waiting. The secondary trade market is the one waiting to burst with both Nash and Ryan as the prized targets while both Columbus and Anaheim waits to see what the other team gets for a return.
If and when the Ducks ready to accept Krejci and a draft pick in return for one of the best right wings in the NHL then youll see the Bruins move swiftly to secure his services and then slide Tyler Seguin into his rightful spot at center.
But that doesnt appear to be the case for an Anaheim team still collecting and measuring offers for their wingerincluding a potential deal from the Philadelphia Flyers club salivating at the thought of bringing in a player from nearby Cherry Hill, New Jerseyand taking their time doing so.
The Bruins seem satisfied whether they make a big deal or stand point, and thats a prudent stance when teams are asking for names like Lucic, Seguin and Hamilton in potential blockbuster deals.
Ryan might come to Boston in a potentially perfect fit between player and team, but it will be on the Bruins terms or not at all.
Thats something that should satisfy everyone looking for a goal-scoring transfusion this summer.