Team: 2021-22 Boston Bruins

Initial Creation Date: May 1, 2021

Published: May 2, 2021

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

The Blackhawks don’t want Zadorov but realize he has too much value to let walk without a qualifying offer. The Bruins don’t really have a lineup spot for Ritchie if Hall and Kase re-sign and risk having to overpay for him on arbitration. Both players fill a need for the opposite team as well. I would be ok with a straight up swap, but there were other pieces that make sense. With Swayman clearly having won the backup job moving forward, the Bruins need to trade Vladar or they’ll lose him on waivers. The Blackhawks need a goalie of the future and an affordable one is even better given their cap. In exchange, the Bruins get a veteran third-string in Dellia (worth nothing to Chicago), a depth checker in Kampf, and a draft pick. The pick would be higher if not for dumping Moore. With that said, the Blackhawks need a veteran D and Moore fits the bill.

Zadorov fills a major need of a long-term top-four LHD and isn’t too costly after a down year in Chicago. I think he pairs well with McAvoy as a younger, more mobile Chara type and allows Grz and Carlo to form a balanced second pair. Zboril, Clifton, and Vaakanainen can battle for the third pair spot next to Miller and injury replacement duty until McCabe recovers from his ACL tear and joins the lineup later in the year. Kampfer and Ahcan provide AHL depth as well.

Kampf is somewhat of a Kuraly replacement, although the team goes young on the fourth line and Kampf is a backup with Wagner. Injuries will happen and those two can fill in reliably in the bottom six. For cap purposes, Studnicka may spend some time in the AHL. Senyshyn, Kuhlman, Blidh, Steen, and Hughes are also waiting for bottom six fill-in role too, whereas Lauko could be more of a top-nine replacement. Love the forward lines at full strength though.

I have no doubts about a Rask-Swayman tandem, but the Bs could do worse than Dellia in the minors. I think he’s underrated. Keyser needs a veteran mentor too.

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