The Boston Bruins need a top-four defenseman to solidify their chances of making the Stanley Cup playoffs next season.
The problem with acquiring a top-four D-man is two-fold: many teams across the league need one and because of that, the price to acquire one is sky high.
Bruins general manager Don Sweeney confirmed the high asking prices in his comments to reporters after the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft on Friday night.
David Pastrnak is a fantastic young player and the Bruins absolutely are making the right call in not wanting to include him in potential deals. The Czech winger has the speed, playmaking ability and goals scoring skill that Boston desperately needs, and his type of talent is well-suited for what the NHL has become in 2016.
Pastrnak has taken great strides since his 2014-15 rookie campaign, and he just turned 20 years old last month.
One player who has been rumored to be available is St. Louis Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk. He’s a second-pairing blueliner with good offensive ability, but he’s an unrestricted free agent after next season and probably will want close to, or above $7 million per season in his next contract. That’s a steep price for a player who was exposed a bit defensively in the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs.
Given the prices for defensemen in the trade market, free agency might be the best route for the Bruins. Jason Demers is among the best free-agent targets for teams in search of a blue line upgrade.
Thumbnail photo via Bruce Fedyck/USA TODAY Sports Images
