2024 NHL trade deadline: Updated list of potential Bruins trade targets originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
The NHL trade deadline is Friday at 3 p.m. ET, but a lot of teams got deals done Wednesday.
There was a flurry of activity, with several of the top players rumored to be available being sent to new teams.
Forwards Vladimir Tarasenko, Alex Wennberg, Anthony Mantha, and Casey Mittelstadt, along with defensemen Noah Hanifin, Sean Walker, Bowen Byram, Ilya Lyubushkin and Chris Tanev, have already been dealt over the last week or so.
Which players might still be available for the Boston Bruins to pursue?
Here’s a list of players who could address Boston’s need for middle-six scoring, toughness on the fourth line or depth on the left side of the blue line.
Forwards
The Bruins reportedly were interested in Lindholm earlier this season but he wound up getting traded from the Flames to the Canucks. Surprisingly, there’s a chance he could be available again if the Canucks are able to make a move for Penguins winger Jake Guentzel.
With the #canucks believed to be among those pursuing Jake Guentzel, word is they’ve had discussions about potentially flipping Elias Lindholm to the #bruins as part of the machinations to make it happen.
Nothing concrete in place at this time. Still lots of moving parts.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) March 5, 2024
Lindholm is a legit second-line center who could provide much-needed scoring depth, contribute to both the power play and penalty kill, and win faceoffs at a high rate. His 56.0 faceoff win percentage would be the highest on the B’s. He also excels on defensive-zone faceoffs with a league-best 57.5 win percentage (minimum 350 d-zone draws taken).
Acquiring Lindholm only makes sense for the Bruins if he’s willing to sign an extension (or unless the price to get him is lower than expected).
Tyler Toffoli, RW, Devils
Toffoli would be an excellent middle-six forward for the B’s to acquire. After scoring 34 goals for the Flames last season, Toffoli already has 26 in 61 games for the Devils. Toffoli has scored 20-plus goals in eight of his last 10 seasons. He’s a reliable offensive player.
Another positive with Toffoli is his playoff experience. He has tallied 44 points (18 goals, 26 assists) in 88 career playoff games. The 31-year-old veteran played a key role on the Los Angeles Kings‘ Stanley Cup-winning team in 2014.
Toffoli likely would be a rental if the Bruins got him, which isn’t the most ideal…