The Bruins’ Defense has been a point of criticism after General Manager Don Sweeney didn’t add a top-pairing Left Defensemen during the offseason. Let’s take a look at five potential trade targets for the Bruins to pursue before the deadline.
John Klingberg, Dallas Stars
Klingberg is a decent offensively-minded defensemen, he has decent two-way play. In the 2020-21 season, Klingberg had seven goals and 29 assists for 36 points in 53 games. Klingberg has requested a trade from the Dallas Stars after talks of a contract extension weren’t going anywhere. The 29-year-old wouldn’t be playing first or second pairing minutes likely, this is due to Charlie McAvoy and Brandon Carlo filling the first and second right pairing slots respectively. Klingberg would also likely see some time on the Bruins’ second powerplay unit besides Matt Grzelyck or Mike Reilly. Klingberg is likely one of the top Bruins’ trade targets heading into the 2022 NHL Trade Deadline.
Scott interestingly links the #NHLBruins and #isles to Klingberg. https://t.co/qVBNQIpgjT
— James Nichols (@JamesNicholsNYI) January 11, 2022
Noah Hanifin, Calgary Flames
Hanifin is a great two-way defenseman, having good skill in both ends of the ice and transitional play. Hanifin put up four goals and 11 assists in 47 games during the 2020-21 season. This isn’t the first time Hanifin has found himself in trade rumors involving the Bruins, having widely been in rumors in the 2020-21 offseason. Hanifin wouldn’t be a newcomer to the Boston area having spent a season with Boston University where he put up five goals and 18 assists for 23 points in 37 games during the 2014-15 season. Hanifin was selected 5th overall pick in the 2015 Entry Draft by the Carolina Hurricanes. He was later traded to the Flames in a package that sent defensemen Dougie Hamilton to the Hurricanes.
REPORT: Boston Bruins believed to have expressed interest in Calgary #Flames defender Noah Hanifin at some point this off-season. Unclear how far along any potential trade talks went, but CGY are believed to have interest in Ondrej Kase. #NHLBruins – @TFP https://t.co/yhQtiZfldn
— NHL News (@PuckReportNHL) December 9, 2020
Hampus Lindholm, Anaheim Ducks
Lindholm has found himself in a lot of rumors since the start of the 2021-22 offseason. Lindholm is an alright two-way left-shot defenseman, with good capabilities on both ends of the ice and good transitional play. In 18 games during the 2020-21 season, he had two goals and four assists for six points. Lindholm would come be able to play on the top pairing with Charlie McAvoy. He would likely see some power play time alongside a guy like Matt Grzelyck on the second unit. Lindholm is in the final year of his current contract which carries an AAV of $5.2 million. Lindholm should be one of the Bruins’ trade targets heading into the 2022 NHL Trade Deadline.
HAMPUS LINDHOLM TIES IT. ?
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 18, 2021
This game has been unbelievable. ??? pic.twitter.com/TsLqQbrOuY
Vince Dunn, Seattle Kraken
Dunn found himself at the front of rumors after he was selected by the Seattle Kraken in their Expansion Draft during the 2021-22 offseason. Dunn is a young defenseman who has good offensive capabilities and has what seems like a high ceiling, his defensive side needs a bit of rounding out. The 25 year old put up six goals and 14 assists for 20 points in 43 games during the 2020-21 season. Dunn wouldn’t be an immediate fix for the Bruins’ defense, but could be a great player in a year or two once he finds his footing defensively. Dunn currently has two years remaining on his contract with an AAV of $4 million.
VINCE DUNN GETS THE FIRST GOAL IN THE NEW BARN AND THE KRAK HOUSE HAS ERUPTED pic.twitter.com/osCBe9xtXt
— Spittin’ Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) October 24, 2021
P.K. Subban, New Jersey Devils
Subban has been a player I’ve long wanted to see dawn the Spoked B. Since arriving in New Jersey, he hasn’t quite been able to find his footing. His highest point total as a Devil came in the 2020-21 season where he had five goals and 14 assists for 19 points in 44 games played. Subban’s last 50+ point season came with the Nashville Predators in the 2017-18 season where he had 16 goals and 43 assists for 59 points in 82 games played.
Subban wouldn’t get much first or second pairing time on the Bruins roster, having to play behind Charlie McAvoy and Brandon Carlo on the right side. He would likely find himself playing on the second power play unit with Matt Grzelyck or Mike Reilly. Subban was drafted 43rd overall in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft by the Montreal Canadiens. The 32-year-old hasn’t quite been the same since he was traded from the Montreal Canadiens for Shea Weber.
PK SUBBAN POWER PLAY GOAL pic.twitter.com/3TjNXAUyVO
— Duck Duck Gusev? (@DuckDuckGusev) March 19, 2021
