Bruins, Lightning have ‘reached out’ to Canucks about Luke Schenn
Report: Bruins, Lightning ‘reached out’ to Canucks over Schenn originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Veteran defensemen are among the most coveted players for competing teams looking to improve their rosters ahead of the NHL’s trade deadline each season.
The Boston Bruins are no exception.
Just last year, they completed a blockbuster trade with the Anaheim Ducks to acquire top-four defenseman Hampus Lindholm, whom they signed to a long-term extension shortly after. . Lindholm has been fantastic for the Bs this season, which makes this 2022 trade pretty good.
How Horvat at Islanders affects Bruins ahead of NHL trade deadline
While it’s harder for the Bruins to acquire a defenseman of Lindholm’s caliber in 2023 due to the salary cap, lack of quality trade assets and other reasons, they could still seek blue-line depth. lower level before March 3. deadline.
Which players could the Bs target?
Vancouver Canucks’ Luke Schenn is an attractive option, and according to The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun, the Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning have shown interest in the veteran defenseman.
“I understand that some suitors have contacted the Canucks to check on Schenn, including the Bruins and Lightning,” LeBrun wrote Wednesday. “It’s not surprising. But the dilemma for Vancouver is whether to grab the best possible commercial return or extend Schenn, who is an important team leader with Horvat gone and I think he’s ready. to stay.”
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Schenn will be a free agent this offseason, so he would likely be a rental for the Bruins. What could the 33-year-old defenseman offer the Bruins if they traded for him? He can play 15-18 minutes per game in tough defensive situations and also kill penalties. Schenn has plenty of playoff experience and won two Stanley Cup titles with the Lightning in 2019-20 and 2020-21. Its salary cap of just $850,000 is also very attractive to applicants.
The fact that the Bruins and Lightning would have inquired about Schenn is interesting. These Atlantic Division rivals could meet in the second round of the playoffs this spring. They also have similar roster needs at the trade deadline.
The story continues
2023 NHL trade deadline: Ranking Bruins’ best assets to make deals
Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek, speaking on Monday’s episode of the “32 Thoughts” podcast, talked about a conversation he had with someone from an NHL team last weekend regarding the bruins. An interesting part of what Marek said was about the Lightning.
“This person also told me that one of the sidebars that we’re going to look at here is how Tampa and Boston fight for the same players. They’ve fought for the same players before, when Tampa had (Ryan ) McDonagh and JT Miller of Rangers (in 2018). It looks like Boston was in on it too. It’s going to be very interesting to watch.”
The Lightning, like the Bruins, don’t have many quality trade assets. The Bolts have already traded their 2023 and 2024 first-round picks (both protected top-10), and they also don’t have a 2023 second-round pick. Tampa Bay’s prospect pool is also pretty weak.
None of the top teams in the Eastern Conference standings have made any substantial progress and we’re a month away from the trade deadline, which could set the stage for some exciting weeks ahead as these contenders seek trades. roster upgrades ahead of the Stanley 2023. Cup playoffs.