For the most part, I'm not in favor of any wild moves this summer for the Bruins. I think they should stand pat, re-sign their RFAs, maybe take a flier on a young right wing UFA, and then plug the holes in the lineup with budding prospects.
With that said, I am fascinated by Jesse Puljujarvi and his trade demands and would love for the Bruins to take a shot on him. The Oilers asking price is a middle-six forward though, and there's no way I'm moving DeBrusk or Heinen. However, both David Backes and Peter Cehlarik played middle-six roles from time to time last year. Obviously neither are worth a ton, but if Milan Lucic goes the other way, things get interesting.
First off, this trade doesn't happen if Backes and Lucic don't want it to, so that's the first hurdle. Second, the Bruins don't make this deal unless salary is retained on Lucic's contract, seeing as his contract is double the remaining term of Backes' and buyout-proof. Finally, I would also advise the Bruins to have a reasonable extension agreed to with Puljujarvi before the trade.
Why would the Oilers retain salary and take on Backes? Well, Edmonton is about done with Lucic and his lack of production and want him out. He holds little trade value and the Bruins are one of few teams who would have some interest, but not at full price. The other option besides a trade is a buyout, which would cost Edmonton $3.625MM/$5.625MM/$4.125MM/$5.625MM and then four more years of $625K. If they instead deal Lucic away, retain $2.25MM/year, and take on Backes, it costs $8.25MM next year, then Backes becomes very buyout friendly: $4MM/$1MM. So in total with the retained salary and Backes buyout next year, it would only be $8.25MM/$6.25MM/$3.25MM/$2.25MM for a savings of $1.5MM and much more palatable years three and four and nothing beyond that.
So, the Oilers are rid of Lucic and in one year will be rid of Backes as well for an overall savings and quicker cap relief. They also get Cehlarik, who has NHL potential but is no longer waiver-exempt. He has a better chance of sticking in Edmonton than Boston. I'll throw in a conditional pick based on Lucic's performance as well. The Bruins land Lucic, who can either try to rekindle his chemistry with Krejci (and DeBrusk) or can form a formidable two-way third line with Coyle and Heinen. Even in the worst case scenario, Lucic is just as useless as Backes but at a lower price point, albeit for two years longer but I expect he would be rejuvenated by a return to Boston. Puljujarvi can slot in on the second or third line and can also be switched in and out for other young players - Studnicka, Steen, Bjork, Senyshyn, or UFA signing O'Regan - if he again isn't producing. However, I get the feeling he would excel with Krejci and DeBrusk.
So that's that. I also re-signed all the RFA's to either their qualifying offers or bigger deals for McAvoy/Carlo/Heinen and strengthened the minor league depth with some UFA signings. John Moore won't be back until Christmas or so and will begin the year on LTIR, but I left him in to show they won't need the cap space. If that's all the Bruins do this summer, I would be happy, but technically the trade would open up slightly more cap room if they choose to scour the market. Another depth defenseman or an upgrade to O'Regan as a young right-shot option wouldn't hurt.
Probably not, but it's not like the Bruins wouldn't at least ask. You have to think Backes is the kind of guy who would be amenable to a trade if he no longer feels wanted. But yeah, I don't think many NTC players have the Oilers on their lists.
Why would edmontonnretain so we pay backes 8.25? Lmao no thanks Oilers easily decline
I get it, but in the long run the team is saving cap money and getting out of Lucic's cap hell sooner. You pay a premium for Backes and the retained salary on Lucic for one year and then it's a much better deal than a Lucic buyout the rest of the way.
No way should the Bruins take on Lucic even with the retained salary. The term on that contract is horrible you are better off sucking it up with Backes for 2 years.