Bruins to pull the trigger on major trade before the holiday freeze

The return is quite interesting...

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 5 years ago
Bruins to pull the trigger on major trade before the holiday freeze
Zuma Press

It had to be expected... The 2018-19 National Hockey League season started and already, the trade chatter is being heard in the background with several star players expected to be on the move, even before the holiday freeze, ahead of the February trade deadline. Of course, there are the usual suspects who spent most of the offseason on the trade block: that includes Columbus Blue Jackets star sniper Artemi Panarin and number goalie Sergei Bobrovsky. You could also add to the list Toronto Maple Leafs free agent William Nylander, whose clock is ticking to re-sign with the club before December 1st. 

However, the focus is now on one of the Boston Bruins' defensemen as James Murphy of Murphy's Hockey Law believes Torey Krug will be part of a major trade ahead of the holiday freeze in December. 

The trade might have taken place before that if Krug was not injured. The Bruins placed him on injury reserve before the start of the season as he suffered a foot injury in the preseason finale. Krug will be in a walking boot for three weeks, and then will be reevaluated. Last night, the Bruins took a beating at the hands of the defending Stanley Cup champions, the Washington Capitals, who beat Boston 7-0 in the first contest of the year. While Krug was sidelined for the game, some could say that his trade value keeps growing as clearly the Bruins could have used his services last night... 


Murphy believes that before Krug is slated to get a huge pay raise when his contract comes to an end in 2019-20, now is the time to move him since his value remains intact from last year. The blue liner spent most of the summer on the trade block, and it does not seem like his latest injury has changed that. Krug currently gets $5.2 million a year, and Bruins GM Don Sweeney is believed to be willing to entertain offers on a player that will get many suitors as he offers great offense and power-play support. 

At the same time, his current absence will determine a lot for Boston. The Bruins will either realize they can't compete as well without him, or will decide that they can leave him out of the lineup, move him for a great return and remain a strong contender nevertheless... 

However, with a 7-0 mark from last night, Krug could be the trade bait that brings along some scoring in Boston, especially on the second line with centre David Krejci. 

According to Murphy, several sources have revealed to him that the Arizona Coyotes, New York Islanders and Edmonton Oilers have already poked around about acquiring Krug, and talks are only expected to pick up now... Murphy also thinks the Vegas Golden Knights will look to solidify their blue line for another Cup run and Krug could be the answer.