The Boston Bruins currently sport a ridiculous 38-5-4 record and are at the top of the NHL by a country mile because of it. Due to this, they are expected to be major buyers at the trade deadline and have been linked to several big-name trade targets because of it. With this being a “Stanley Cup or bust” season for Boston, it makes sense that general manager (GM) Don Sweeney is considering all of his options before the Bruins’ postseason run.
The St. Louis Blues, on the other hand, are rapidly falling in the standings and are expected to trade away several assets at the deadline because of it. Players like Vladimir Tarasenko, Ivan Barbashev, and Niko Mikkola have been discussed in the rumor mill, but I believe that the Bruins should go after their biggest trade candidate. Let’s dive into why now.
Ryan O’Reilly Becoming Rental Candidate
With the Blues’ playoff chances continuing to decrease, captain Ryan O’Reilly has emerged as a prime trade candidate. After all, the 31-year-old is a pending unrestricted free agent (UFA), so the Blues are expected to move him at the deadline instead of running the risk of losing him for nothing during the summer. Due to his plethora of experience and solid all-around play, there will be an abundance of contenders considering the prospect of bringing him before the deadline passes.
O’Reilly’s offensive production has been a bit lower this season, as he has 10 goals and 16 points in 37 games. Although those numbers are not particularly impressive, hockey fans know what he is capable of when performing at his best. For example, just two seasons ago, he had 54 points in 56 games. Perhaps being moved to a team that gives him more offensive weapons would allow him to produce at a similar rate again.
The Bruins have been linked to multiple centers such as Bo Horvat and Jonathan Toews, so I do wonder if they could consider the prospect of adding O’Reilly, too. He has the potential to be a very good fit in Boston, so this could be an avenue for Sweeney to consider exploring.
Why the Bruins Could Use O’Reilly
It is clear that the Bruins would like to beef up their center depth before the postseason, and acquiring O’Reilly would do just that. The Ontario native could work beautifully as Boston’s third-line center on a line with Taylor Hall and Charlie Coyle. This line would give O’Reilly the chance to play with stronger talent, so it’s fair to…
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