As you may already know, the Boston Bruins made a couple of moves at the trade deadline, making them just a smidgen better overall. Essentially, the Bruins addressed their two biggest needs: a third line center and a second line right winger to play with David Krejci and Jake DeBrusk. So, let’s take a closer look at just who the Bruins acquired and what they gave up.
Charlie Coyle Center/Right Wing
What the Bruins are getting
Coyle is a quality third line center in the NHL and has put up pretty good numbers in the past, as well as eclipsing the 20-goal mark in the 2015–16 season and putting up 56 points in the 2016–17 season with the Minnesota Wild. The Bruins are hoping the East Weymouth native will be the solution to the lingering issue over the past few years, which has been the third line center position. In Coyle’s first two games as a Bruin, he has zero points and is a minus one while burying the lone shootout goal for the Bruins in their loss to the St. Louis Blues. Coyle is not a rental for the Bruins as he is signed through next year with a $3.2 million cap hit.
What the Bruins Gave Up
The Bruins took a risk giving up one of their better prospects in Ryan Donato in the trade for Coyle. Donato showed flashes of his potential in Boston but was very inconsistent, putting up just nine points in 34 games with the Bruins this season. So far in Minnesota, Donato has been thriving, putting up six points in four games. Do not let Donato’s start on the Wild fool you because it is very reminiscent of the start he had with the Bruins last year; when he put up nine points in his first 12 games. Getting rid of Donato was probably difficult for Don Sweeny, but the fact that the Bruins have a prospect pool full of left wingers probably made it a bit easier to pull the trigger. The Bruins also gave up a fifth round pick in this deal.
Marcus Johannson Left Wing/Center/Right Wing
What the Bruins are getting
Johannson has spent most of his career as a middle six forward with a stint playing alongside Alex Ovechkin with the Washington Capitals. Johannson is a versatile forward having played left wing, right wing, and center in the NHL. So far this season, Johannson has put up 28 points in 49 games and is likely to stay on the second line right wing barring any injuries. In Johannson’s first game with the Bruins, he showed off his playmaking skills by assisting on Jake DeBrusk’s twentieth goal of the season. The hope is that Johannson will continue to build chemistry and produce with his new line mates.
What the Bruins Gave Up
The Bruins did not give up very much for Johannson, coughing up just a second- and a fourth-round pick for the upcoming UFA. If the Bruins can get the Johannson he was before his head injury last year (thanks Marchand), then the Bruins could have a potentially dangerous second line.
The Bruins definitely had a conservative approach to the trade deadline this year which is not what many expected. After the Bruins sent Donato to the Wild for Coyle, many, including myself, believed the Bruins would be in on a big name like Mark Stone to play second line right wing. Unfortunately for Boston, the price the Vegas Golden Knights paid for Stone was just too high for them to match without giving up a significant piece from their current roster. However, it is hard not to get excited about the additions Boston made, but whether it will be enough to beat a team like the Tampa Bay Lightning in a seven-game series has yet to be determined. My guess is that it will not be enough.