Boston Bruins Eye Justin Faulk: A Deep Dive into Potential Trade Moves
The Boston Bruins are on the hunt for a right-handed defenseman to bolster their second pairing, and Justin Faulk of the St. Louis Blues has emerged as a key target. After missing out on Rasmus Andersson from the Calgary Flames, the Bruins are actively exploring other options.
Sources indicate that Bruins GM Don Sweeney has engaged in extensive discussions with Blues GM Doug Armstrong about Faulk. Both GMs are currently with Team Canada at the Olympics, but talks have been ongoing for the past month. The Bruins aren't alone in their interest; teams like the Montreal Canadiens, Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings, Dallas Stars, and Utah Mammoth are also in the mix.
The Blues are reportedly seeking a hefty return, similar to what the Flames received for Andersson: a first-round pick, a conditional second, NHL defenseman Zach Whitecloud, and prospect Abram Wiebe, with some salary retention involved.
Elias Pettersson: A Sought-After Center with Complex Trade Dynamics
The Los Angeles Kings are facing a challenging situation after losing left winger Kevin Fiala for the season. This development might influence their decision to retain Warren Foegele, who carries a $3.25 million cap hit for another year. Initially, the Kings were considering moving him to free up space for a center.
Elias Pettersson of the Canucks has piqued the Kings' interest. The big question remains whether Pettersson would waive his no-trade clause for a move to LA.
Foegele could serve as a valuable veteran presence for the Canucks, who are in the midst of a rebuild. The Kings, with $15 million in cap space, could accommodate such a move.
Notably, Kings winger Andrei Kuzmenko, who scored 39 goals mostly alongside Pettersson back in 2022-23, could be a factor in this decision.
The Canucks are in dire need of centers, but the Kings aren't particularly deep at that position either. They're unwilling to part with Quinton Byfield, though they do have a first-round pick and two seconds available.
Meanwhile, the Detroit Red Wings are also in the market for a No. 2 center. They might consider offering their 2023 first-round pick, Nate Danielson, and another first-rounder. The Carolina Hurricanes and Chicago Blackhawks are also on the lookout for a No. 2 center.
A significant hurdle for these teams is the lack of an immediate center to send back to the Canucks, who are already dealing with injuries to centers Filip Chytil and Marco Rossi.
As the trade deadline approaches, these negotiations are sure to intensify, with teams weighing their options and assessing the best paths forward. The landscape is dynamic, and the moves made in the coming weeks could have long-term implications for all involved.