Bruins willing to make major sacrifice to land Flyers' Simmonds?!

The Boston Bruins are finally healthy, however, there is a desire to bulk up en route for a long playoff run. The Boston Globe’s Kevin Paul Dupont noted the Bruins seek a scoring winger for David Krejci’s line and might know exactly which player they want: Wayne Simmonds of the Philadelphia Flyers. 

Simmonds is in the final year of his contract, carrying a cap hit of nearly $4 million. He came into Thursday's action with 15 goals in 47 contests and sits in second place of TSN's Trade Bait board. For weeks now, it has been said that the gritty forward is most likely to be moved ahead of the Feb. 25 trade deadline. New GM Chuck Fletcher is reportedly looking to add a goaltender, a top-four defenseman, and a top-nine center and knows Simmonds is his best trade bait. 

"Will he trade veterans between now and the deadline? Absolutely. Wayne Simmonds is more likely than not to be traded. Not 100 percent, but more likely than not," said TSN insider Bob McKenzie last week. 

While Dupont believes the Bruins are after a scoring winger for Krejci’s line, he thinks the price might be too high when it comes to Simmonds. Last season, many fans questioned the Bruins' decision to part with their first-round pick in order to land veteran forward Rick Nash, who recently announced his retirement from the game due to multiple concussions. The cost for Simmonds could once again include the very coveted first-round pick. 

"The cost to acquire Simmonds: higher than any Bruins fan would want. The Flyers will want a first-round pick in the deal, with a prospect or two added. The Bruins have the prospects, more than they’ve had in years, but GM Don Sweeney likely would find it impossible to part with the first rounder again after surrendering one a year ago in the Nash deal."

There is no doubt that Simmonds  is an energetic and athletic power forward who could help the Bruins in the long run. It remains to be seen if the Bruins will be ready to pay up and consider re-signing the unrestricted free agent for the future...

A lot to think about in Boston for the coming weeks...