NHL Trade Deadline: Thoughts Thus Far

by Eric Ahearn

???: What the hell is going on in Los Angeles? They move a good young defenseman, in Jack Johnson, and a conditional 1^st round pick for Jeff Carter. I could not be more puzzled. Apparently the brass in LA is not too high on Jack Johnson which I am a little surprised at. Many say that the 25-year-old defenseman is not real solid in his own zone while others see him as a quality individual. The person that comes to mind when looking for a comparison is a Mark Stuart. Stuart was a Bruin at the start of last year and was a high character guy. Johnson is not as good defensively but is much, much better offensively. My guess is the main reason he was included was to relieve some cap space for the overpaid Jeff Carter. The LA Kings had to make a change offensively but they grossly overpaid. Let’s not forget that Johnson played for Team USA in the last Olympics! If I were in the Kings’ situation, I would have offered Jack Johnson straight up…or maybe the pick straight up. Not sure what’s going on out west.

Brown is known for his goal scoring and ability
to knock down opponents with his mind.

??? Continued: Now reports are that the LA Kings are looking to move Dustin Brown, the team’s captain?! My best guess is that Mike Richards (traded to the Kings in the off-season), who was a past captain of the Flyers, had taken over the locker room. Richards has always had a high dedication to the game and plays it the right way. The Kings might be trying to move Brown just to change the chemistry of the locker room. Either way, my head is spinning.

Time to Pounce: If they are making Dustin Brown available, the Bruins need to make a run at him. He is just 27 years of age and has 8 solid years easily left in him. He is also locked up for the next two years at just under $3.2 mil per year. That’s a steal! Over the past four seasons he has averaged 27 goals and 57 points. Brown also plays RW and could step in for Horton and Peverley nicely.

Hamilton is the top prospect in the Bruins' system.

Price: Kings are reportedly asking for a young defenseman and a top-6 forward. Usually what a team is asking for is more than what they expect to get. The Kings are still trying to make a push this season for the playoffs so the Bruins would have to include an active player. Also, the Bruins do not have young ,solid defensemen besides Boychuk and McQuaid. I believe the Bruins value McQuaid more than most other teams since he is a typical Bruins D-man. We also just locked up Boychuk with an extension so there is no way Chiarelli moves him. Steven Kampfer and Andrew Bodnarchuk do not have too much value but either one could be a throw in piece. As for forwards the Bruins would give up: Jordan Caron, Carter Camper, or Benoit Pouliot. Only Pouliot can be considered close to a top-6 forward from that bunch though. Further, the Bruins have a very valuable asset in Dougie Hamilton that they could dangle. Though he may be close to enough on his own, he would not help the Kings this year so a deal involving him would have to wait till the off-season. I still hold to the idea that Chiarelli would trade himself before he trades Dougie Hamilton. I see this being a tough deal for the Bruins to pull off.

Offer: Benoit Pouliot, Steven Kampfer or Andrew Bodnarchuk, and the Bruins 1^st round pick in 2012 entry draft for Dustin Brown.

I believe that would be a fair offer for both clubs and if the Kings wanted another mid-level prospect the Bruins could throw him in. I do see the Kings getting a better offer from another team though. Who knows, maybe Chiarelli will over pay and offer even more.

Quick Hits:

• ·        Getting Selanne in a trade would be more than a Christmas Miracle in late February. He stays put with the Ducks.
• ·        Ray Whitney is another player the Bruins will have to overpay for and is growing more and more unlikely to end up in Boston now that Phoenix added Vermette.
• ·        I’m still holding on to the hope that the Bruins make a run at David Jones out of Colorado.
• ·        95% chance Nash stays put in Columbus after seeing how much Carter cost the Kings
• ·        Ales Hemsky might re-sign with the Oilers today or tomorrow; if not he will be moved Monday.