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NHL Rumors: Bruins open to trading first round pick for immediate help

By Dave Stevenson

Jun 26, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; Boston Bruins general manager Don Sweeney makes the first of three consecutive draft picks in the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 26, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; Boston Bruins general manager Don Sweeney makes the first of three consecutive draft picks in the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Boston Bruins general manager Don Sweeney is willing to trade his first round pick if it gets his team immediate help. 

The 2017 NHL Draft starts on June 23, 2017. It will be held in Chicago at the United Center. With a relatively shallow draft compared to recent years, teams are open to trading their first round pick for a sure thing. Consider the Boston Bruins among those open to trading their top pick.

“It’s an effort to try and improve our hockey club,” general manager Don Sweeney said, via the Boston Herald. “We have had a number of selections the last couple of years and we feel that they’ll all materialize into very good players for the Boston Bruins and I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t explore what could improve our hockey club now in the shorter term.”

The Herald notes the team has several needs, including a top six forward and a left-handed defenseman. With Boston in “win now” mode, they should explore trading their first round pick if it nets them a player who can help them now.

If they’re looking for a top six forward, the Colorado Avalanche might be able to help. The Avalanche are in clear rebuild mode after finishing with the NHL’s worst record. Captain Gabriel Landeskog could be on the move, as well as top center Matt Duchene. Either would help improve Boston’s forward core, though each of them is expensive as well.

Next: NHL Mock Expansion Draft

As far as a left-handed defenseman, several could be available. One team who needs to move a blueliner is the Anaheim Ducks. Even if they talk Kevin Bieksa into waiving his no-movement clause for the expansion draft, they still need to get rid of a defenseman so they can protect both Rickard Rackell and Jakob Silfverberg. The Carolina Hurricanes might be open for business as well.

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