RUMOR: Bruins Targeting Boston Native To Bolster Blue Line

PUBLICATION

James Connelly
December 2, 2023 (4:00 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

The Bruins already have one of the best defensive cores in the NHL and are now targeting a Boston native to push them over the edge.

Bruins Targeting Hanifin From Calgary

The Boston Bruins have made a name for themselves as one of the best teams in the NHL and have not shied away from making blockbuster trade deadline moves. Last year while on pace to having the best regular season of all time they went out and landed two of the top pieces on the trade market in Dmitry Orlov and Tyler Bertuzzi.

While both of them left in free agency for Carolina and Toronto respectively, the Bruins never had all too good of a shot at retaining either last year. However, a Boston native could be willing to take a pay cut to dawn the yellow and black for the rest of his career.

Eklund of HockeyBuzz.com recently reported that the Bruins were interested in landing Noah Hanifin from the Calgary Flames.

The fact the Bruins are shopping for a Defenseman is not news, but the return of another Boston native may be.

The Bruins have had discussions with Calgary regarding Noah HanifinAccording to my sources, the price is a little steep for the Bruins, so there has also been some discussion surrounding Brandon Tanev.

The Potential Trade And The Fit

Currently, the Bruins do not possess their first-round pick this year, let alone any pick in the first three rounds. They do have some top prospects available though that could entice Calgary. On top of this, they also have some pieces that Calgary may be willing to take on in a trade that is closer to a hockey trade.

If the Bruins are willing to part ways with a roster player, either Matt Grzelcyk or Jake DeBrusk, they could get away with packing one of those two alongside a prospect like 2021 first-rounder Fabian Lysell and maybe a later pick to land Hanifin.

The benefit of landing Hanifin for Boston is that they could slot him in on the first pairing alongside Charlie McAvoy and then extend him long-term for cheaper than market value. Hanifin was reportedly close to extending in Calgary long-term on a $7.5m per year contract but if he is in his hometown, he may be willing to play for closer to $7m.

If GM Don Sweeney can feel comfortable with a potential Hanifin trade and subsequent extension, we could see the Bruins establish one of the scariest top-fours in NHL history.

As seen on HockeyBuzz.com - Bruins/Flames Talks Intensify. Hanifin or Tanev?