Report: Bruins defense so strong, they might make a trade?

As part of their offseason programming the NHL Network is dissecting each of the NHL’s 31 teams and analyzing each’s strengths and weaknesses. When discussing the Boston Bruins, analyst Kevin Weekes posited a theory that the B’s may look to trade a right-shot defenseman for some help up front, given that they already have a backlog of talent on the blue line. 

We’ve all heard the Brandon Carlo for Matt Duchene rumors, but do the B’s actually have the kind of depth on defense to facilitate such a move? Not according to team insider Joe Haggerty. In his latest column for CSNNE.COM, Haggerty breaks down the Bruins’ outlook on defense and his case for remaining patient with the team’s young players at the position. 

From Haggerty:

Then there’s Carlo, 20, and Charlie McAvoy, 19, who will both be expected to play top-four roles this season. But there are going to be ups and downs with young players thrust into top-four roles with that kind of inexperience. Last season pointed to that kind of inconsistency for Carlo throughout his rookie year. To expect something dissimilar from McAvoy this season is unrealistic and simply just a part of the D-man apprenticeship program in the NHL. 

This makes sense. Anointing the team’s defense as its position of strength due to the addition of two relatively unproven players seems like a situation set up for a massive disappointment. So, if defense isn’t the team’s strength, what is?

Again, from Haggerty:

So, has the Bruins defensemen group vaulted ahead of the Patrice Bergeron/Brad Marchand combo as the clear strength of the team? No, they have not at this point. The defense is one player short and probably at least two years of development shy of being able to truly be the strength of the B's once they're likely again to be in the Stanley Cup contender conversation.

What do you think B’s fans? Are you letting your excitement for Carlo and McAvoy get the better of you? What’s a realistic expectation for these two kids?