Team: 2020-21 Boston Bruins

Initial Creation Date: Dec. 9, 2020

Published: Dec. 9, 2020

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

The 'Yotes need to clear cap space, as they currently sit farther above the cap than any other team. They're willing to deal a veteran defenseman. They tried to move OEL, but a deal couldn't be reached. Hjalmarsson won't waive his NMC. Demers doesn't help as a righty. Goligoski only has a limited no-trade list and wouldn't nix a deal to Boston, especially if he's set to play on the top pair with McAvoy. Goligoski may be 35, but he's still good for 30+ points, blocked shots, and even hits. He's an upgrade to Grzelcyk and an expiring contract, not to mention a cheap addition given Arizona's cap situation. Trade values are dirt cheap right now and this deal seems possible. If Chara isn't coming back and assuming Cassidy still hates Moore, this trade brings in a veteran leader for the defense at very little cap cost. It also still leaves one or two open roster spots for young players depending on Miller's health and performance. The 'Yotes net $1.5M in cap space and a replacement LD and the Bs send along a pick to make up for the retained salary. If they need to bring in a third team to take Moore or salary, so be it. I would up the pick a round if need be for a major upgrade to the left side of the blue line.

The longer the substantial list of UFA's sit unsigned, the more likely the Bruins can land an upgrade at a great value. I think Granlund makes the most sense given his comfortability with likely linemates Coyle and Smith. I also don't see adding up front as a major issue for young players like Bjork and Studnicka, as the injuries to Marchand and Pastrnak and inevitably others will open up opportunities and then Granlund, Krejci, Kuraly, and more could all potentially depart next year.

The cap room is slim, yes. But again they will bank some cap space with Marchand and Pastrnak out and other injuries and none of the top options in the AHL have sizeable contracts that wouldn't fit as an injury replacement. They may not have much space come deadline time, but the hope is that with this depth they won't need anything.