NHL Power Rankings: Bruins' top assets entering trade deadline

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The Boston Bruins have cooled off after a hot start to the 2020-21 NHL season, but they still are in the mix for a top seed in the East Division playoff race.The B's are in a tough spot as the April 12 trade deadline nears. They have huge weaknesses to address, most notably 5-on-5 scoring and the left side of the blue line. Acquiring a top-six forward and/or a top-four defenseman would be a huge upgrade for this roster.Based on the ages and contractual statuses of players in the Bruins' veteran core, this season could represent the team's last good chance to compete for a Stanley Cup title for the foreseeable future. Bruins general manager Don Sweeney needs to be aggressive in bolstering the roster before the playoffs.What trade assets does Sweeney have to make these moves? Let's rank the team's best trade chips, but first...

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Let's set some parameters before diving into the B's top trade assets.

We're not including David Pastrnak and Charlie McAvoy -- two superstars the Bruins should build around for the next decade.

We're also not including upcoming UFAs David Krejci, Tuukka Rask and Jaroslav Halak. The Bruins would probably have to plummet in the standings between now and the deadline for those veterans to get moved. Rask and Halak make up an elite goalie duo and trading Krejci, the No. 2 center, doesn't help the team's already abysmal scoring depth.

Brandon Carlo and Matt Grzelcyk are valuable young players, but it's hard to envision the B's trading either of them before the deadline given the team's lack of depth on the blue line. It's also hard to find good young d-men, so unless you're acquiring a top-four stud, giving up on Carlo, for example, wouldn't make much sense. Carlo also is out of the lineup after being boarded by Capitals forward Tom Wilson earlier this month.

Krejci and Charlie Coyle have no-trade/no-move clauses in their contracts, too.

So, without further ado, here are the top trade assets for the Bruins to dangle on the market over the coming weeks.

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Sweeney has traded second-rounders just twice -- once at the 2019 deadline to acquire bottom-six forward Marcus Johansson and also at the 2016 deadline to bring in veteran forward Lee Stempniak. Boston gave up a fourth-rounder in each of those deals, too. 

The Canucks acquired top-six forward Tyler Toffoli in exchange for second- and fourth-round picks at last year's trade deadline. The Bruins would be wise to make a similar deal for a player like Toffoli given their secondary scoring issues.

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The Bruins, as noted earlier, have several talented young defensemen in McAvoy, Carlo, Grzelcyk and Lauzon. Zboril has impressed this season -- his first extended run at the NHL level. Acquiring a veteran top-four defenseman isn't easy, and rival teams often look for younger d-men in return for those players. If the Bruins are going to part with any of their young defensemen, Zboril should be the first one to go. He doesn't have the same upside as Carlo, Grzelcyk or Lauzon.

 

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Trade deadline deals are expensive, and it often takes a first-round draft pick to make an impactful move.

For example, the Lightning gave up first-rounders in separate deals to acquire forwards Blake Coleman and Barclay Goodrow before last year's deadline. It was a steep price to pay, but each player made a solid contribution to what became a Stanley Cup-winning season for Tampa Bay.

The Bruins traded their 2020 first-round pick last year to help get rid of David Backes contract in a deal with the Ducks. They gave up their 2018 first-rounder as part of the Rick Nash trade three years ago.

The Bruins should only dangle their 2021 first-round pick for a top-four defenseman (such as Mattias Ekholm) or a top-six forward (such as Filip Forsberg).

The 2021 NHL Draft class also is considered by many experts to be weak, and it was difficult for teams to scout talent due to the pandemic, so this pick might not carry the value you'd normally expect.

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Giving up on DeBrusk would be selling low. His two goals in 20 games have been a massive disappointment, and he was recently a healthy scratch. His effort level also hasn't met expectations.

A change of scenery likely would benefit DeBrusk, who is signed through next season at a modest $3.675 million salary cap hit. 

If the Bruins can package DeBrusk for a similar player or a slight upgrade, Sweeney should explore that kind of move. He doesn't provide scoring on a consistent enough basis to warrant top-six minutes on a team with Stanley Cup aspirations.

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Vaakanainen was the Bruins' first-round pick in 2017 but hasn't yet carved out a consistent role at the NHL level.

He's played in four games over the last two weeks with the team's blue line battered because of injuries, but he's made only eight appearances in Boston's 28 games this season.

Vaakanainen has intriguing potential and his risk-averse, smooth skating style is a good fit for this team. But he shouldn't be untouchable, especially if the Bruins can swing a trade for a top-four defenseman (preferably with term beyond this season) who can help the team compete in the short term.

Another important note: Vaakanainen isn't eligible for the expansion draft, so the Bruins don't have to risk losing him if he's kept beyond the trade deadline.

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Beecher is the only first-round pick the Bruins have made over the last three years. The 20-year-old center has tallied eight points (four goals, four assists) in 16 games as a sophomore playing for the University of Michigan. Beecher is still a ways away from cracking the NHL lineup, but his offensive skill and size (6-foot-3 and 210 pounds) make him an exciting prospect.

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Lauko is one of the Bruins' top forward prospects. The 2018 third-round pick has tallied 11 points (four goals, seven assists) in 12 games for the AHL's Providence Bruins this season.

Lauko is not only a skilled offensive player, he plays with impressive speed and purpose. He's a prime candidate to break into the NHL roster next season if the Bruins don't trade him before that point.

He's one of the few prospects in Boston's system with real top-six potential.

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Lauzon has impressed in his first season taking on a regular NHL role. He's currently out of the lineup recovering from a fractured hand, but when he's been on the ice at 5-on-5 in 2021, the Bruins have controlled 54 percent of all shot attempts and 56 percent of all shots on net.

Acquiring a top-four defenseman like Predators star Mattias Ekholm might require the Bruins to part with one of their young defensemen. McAvoy and Carlo should not be traded. Grzelcyk is under team control through 2024 at a team-friendly $3.69 million cap hit. He should be kept, too.

Lauzon is only signed through next season before becoming an RFA. If the Bruins aren't planning to protect Lauzon in the expansion draft, then he should be considered expendable in a deal for a potential top-four defenseman. 

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The Bruins might be hesitant to trade away picks too far in the future considering the team's Stanley Cup window is close to shutting (if it hasn't already). 

The team's veteran core could look a lot different next season if center David Krejci and/or goalie Tuukka Rask don't re-sign. Age is becoming a concern with this group, too. Most notably, Patrice Bergeron is 35 years old and Brad Marchand is 32 years old.

There could be some difficult years ahead for the B's, and they'll need their first-round picks during that time.

Boston's prospect pool is among the worst in the league, so this franchise really isn't in a position to trade future picks unless Sweeney is acquiring a young stud in the deal.

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Studnicka is Boston's top prospect and has a bright future. The 2017 second-round pick has played 16 games this season with three points and 22 shots on goal. He's not lighting up the stat sheet, but his offensive skill and speed are quite evident. He also is versatile enough to play center or the wing.

Studnicka is the most likely in-house candidate to replace Krejci as the second-line center in the near future.

The Bruins lack elite prospects, so if they're looking to make any kind of significant deal at the trade deadline, Studnicka is the best NHL-ready young forward they have to offer. That said, it wouldn't make much sense to move him unless the player coming to Boston is a legit top-six forward with a proven goal scoring record. 

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