This was over on John Buccigross blog at ESPN and I while I realized that it's nothing more than mere speculation, and just a pontification I would hope the Bruins are considering a move for offense or a deal similar to this one. In their current state the Bruins aren't going to win many a series games against the better teams in the NHL like Washington or Pittsburgh.
Kovalchuk ($6.3 million cap number going forward) is a pending unrestricted free agent who has yet to sign an extension with the Thrashers. If he doesn't soon, Atlanta will have to trade him. I really believe the Thrashers will make the playoffs in the East as long as their health holds up and goaltending stays solid. And they can make the playoffs whether they trade Kovalchuk or not.
I do think there is a trade to be had with the Bruins because of their young assets and juicy draft picks. If I am the Thrashers, I look for a goal scorer, goalie and the 2010 No. 1 draft pick (from Toronto) that the Bruins own, and that roughly equals Blake Wheeler (restricted free agent after this season), Tuukka Rask and the pick, which should be a No. 4 to No. 12 overall pick. The standings are too close to call right now. Wheeler would be a nice complement to Evander Kane for the next five years. With more ice time and power-play time, Wheeler looks to have 25-30 goal potential. I don't think he is designed to play in a Claude Julien system.
Rask appears to be a potential high-end goalie with an outstanding contract (a $1.2 million cap number for two years after this season). That alone might keep the Bruins from trading him. If the Bruins deem Rask untouchable, Atlanta may still have an interest in Marco Sturm. Sturm and Wheeler would really give the Thrashers great depth at forward. Also, the Thrashers are set up very well cap-wise going forward.
From the Bruins' perspective, this trade makes sense if they can get Kovalchuk to sign an extension (nine years, $63 million?). The cap numbers for Wheeler ($2.8M) and Rask or Sturm roughly equals Kovalchuk's $6.3 million cap number. Wheeler is a good player who will have a long NHL career, but he's not a player of Kovalchuk's caliber.
The No. 1 draft pick is a valuable chip, but it's a chip that likely won't materialize for a few years; if it's not a top 3 pick, and I don't think it will be, the chances of that player being an elite NHL star drops. Sturm would be missed, especially if Wheeler also goes, but it's an easy choice, especially at $3.5 million again next year. Rask is a tough choice; Tim Thomas has not been great and he potentially has a bloated, cap-killing contract if he doesn't return to last season's form. Thomas has a $5 million cap number until the 2012-13 season, when he'll be 39.
[ESPN.COM]
