By: Chris Nosek

We’ve already looked at the biggest names Don Sweeney could target via trade. There are plenty of very young players around the league whom Sweeney could also target. These players can boost the Boston Bruins to another level. However, they still need to prove their game at the NHL level.

Drew Helleson (Anaheim Ducks)

Like Don Sweeney and the Bruins, Pat Verbeek and the Ducks are primed to make a big move. One of Boston’s biggest needs is on the right side of their blue line. This is where Drew Helleson could come into the mix. He’s a solid defender who can move the puck. His skating is a major strength in his game. He is a right-shot defender who is only 24 and remains under contract for next season. His current contract carries a cap hit of only $1.1 million and expires after next season.

After his current contract, Helleson will be a restricted free agent. This gives me extreme pause as to why Pat Verbeek would deal him away, right now. Currently, Helleson slots in between veterans Jacob Trouba and Radko Gudas. Both Gubas and Trouba are pending unrestricted free agents. At 35 and 31 years of age, respectively, they’re the only veterans along the Ducks’ blue line. This off-season, Pat Verbeek has to negotiate new contracts for Ian Moore, Pavel Mintyukov, and Olen Zellweger as well. It’s possible Helleson becomes the odd man out. However, it’s more likely Verbeek deals away a left-shot defender, not Helleson. The likelihood of anyone acquiring Helleson is minimal at best. For Boston, it would deplete them of prospects and draft picks far too much to make it worth it.

Ian Moore (Anaheim Ducks)

Similar to Helleson, I don’t think there is a high likelihood of Moore getting dealt. However, he’s certainly a more affordable addition. Moore is only 24 years old and is a pending restricted free agent this year. He is the only RFA the Ducks have who is eligible for arbitration at this time. Moore measures in at 6’3″ and 205 pounds and is also a very solid skater. While he is a right handed shooter, Moore is able to play both sides of the blue line.

There are several connections between the parties involved, it would just be a matter for agreeing on the price. Verbeek and Sweeney worked together on the trade that sent Hampus Lindholm to Boston back in March of 2022. Moore, a native of Concord, MA, has played with current Bruins prospects Riley Duran, John Farinacci, and Mason Langenbrunner. His agent, Matt Keator of Win Hockey, also represents Chris Kreider and Leo Carlsson. There are two other current Ducks who need new contracts over the summer. Meanwhile, his only client currently on the Bruins is Michael Callahan. Callahan is set to be a Group6 unrestricted free agent this summer. Keator also represents former Bruins Ryan Donato, Garnet Hthaway, and Marc McLaughlin.

Moore is a realistic addition for Sweeney to make, both in cost and player availability. There are several connections that would allow all parties to feel comfortable working together. The Bruins don’t have much depth on the right side in their system. This is definitely a move worth Sweeney’s time to explore.

Braden Schneider (New York Rangers)

Chris Drury has already issued another letter to Rangers fans stating that they’re actively rebuilding. This would put anyone on the roster in play. Schneider is a 24-year-old, right-shot defender who will be a restricted free agent this offseason. With Adam Fox currently on LTIR, Schneider finds himself on the top-pairing with Vladislav Gavrikov.

The Rangers used their 19th overall pick in the 2020 draft to select Schneider. He moves the puck very well and finds good positioning most of the time. At 6’4″ and 214 pounds, he plays a very physical game. Despite this, he keeps it clean and takes very few penalties. If Boston wants to acquire Schneider, they would have to pay an extremely high price. The situation would change if his feelings toward staying in New York had changed. On July 1st, Will Borgen’s no-trade clause drops to a 15-team no-trade list. His cap hit is only $4.1 million, so he would be easier for Drury to move. In the offseason, Drury will have just over $29 million in cap space. That will be plenty of money for Borgen to get re-signed.

Shane Wright (Seattle Kraken)

The Seattle Kraken have made it known they’re willing to deal Wright. It would certainly take a massive haul for the Kraken to move their 4th overall pick from the 2022 draft. However, it could be done. Wright is only 22 years old and has the potential to be a prolific scorer. He has one more season left on his Entry-Level Contract. This contract carries a cap hit of only $886,666 and will make him a restricted free agent when it expires.

It’s pretty clear the Kraken would be looking for a high-end goal scorer. The leading goal scorer in Seattle is Jordan Eberle with 19. The Kraken are 25th in the league in goals scored, with 147. This is in direct contrast to them allowing the 9th fewest goals in the league, 151.

I don’t see a fit between the two teams to make a deal that works for both sides. Wright is currently behind Beniers and Stephenson on the depth chart at center. He would probably end up lower on the Bruins depth chart. He wouldn’t overtake Elias Lindholm, Pavel Zacha, or Fraser Minten – at a minimum. Seattle’s ideal target from Boston would be Morgan Geekie. I don’t see the Bruins sending their 30-goal scorer back.

Jordan Kyrou (St. Louis Blues)

Jordan Kyrou has surpassed the 70-point mark three times over his 8-year career. He’s still only 27 years old and is locked up on a decent contract for four more seasons. His contract carries a cap hit of $8.125 million and a full no-trade clause for its duration. As a right-shot, right-wing, Kyrou would certainly fill a need for the Bruins.

Kyrou certainly wouldn’t come cheap, and there are absolutely concerns about his game. Given the system that Marco Sturm is coaching, Kyrou’s presence in the lineup could cause several issues. Defensively, he brings too many questions and inconsistencies. Additionally, he hasn’t thrived under strict, accountability-based coaching styles. I don’t think Kyrou is someone Sweeney gives significant consideration to. Such a move would require parting with too many picks or prospects to be worth it.

Jake Neighbours (St. Louis Blues)

If the Bruins are going to break the bank for a winger, it would be better to go after Neighbours. He is underperforming this season and hasn’t taken the steps forward the Blues had hoped for. He’s only 23 years old and has plenty of time to re-find his scoring touch. It seems the organization now views him as being surpassed by Jonatan Berggren. Neighbours has also never averaged more than 16 minutes per night. Neighbours has one more season on his current contract with a cap hit of $3.75 million. After which, he will be a restricted free agent.

If the Blues retain Robert Thomas, they could potentially get a center prospect in exchange for Neighbours. Boston could likely part with a prospect like Dean Letourneau and a draft pick if they wanted to pursue Neighbours. With a higher-end prospect like Letourneau, the pick could avoid being a 2026 1st rounder.