NHL Trade Rumors: Watch List Of Left Defensemen Rentals For Bruins

The Boston Bruins currently have three defensemen in their lineup who have played significant minutes in the NHL this season: Zdeno Chara, Brandon Carlo, and Matt Grzlecyk. If and when the roster gets fully healthy, the Bruins don’t necessarily need a depth defenseman, but as the old saying goes in hockey, you can never have too many defensemen and given their recent rash of injuries, adding some experienced depth on the blue line wouldn’t hurt.

The primary trade target is a top-six winger to skate with Jake Debrusk and David Krejci on the second line, but don’t be surprised if Bruins general manager Don Sweeney, a former defenseman himself, adds some insurance on the back end as well, especially if they don’t think top defensive prospects Jeremey Lauzon and Urho Vaakanainen are ready for Stanley Cup playoff hockey.

When healthy, the Bruins have four right-hand and left-hand shots on the blue line. With the help of our National Hockey Now teammate, Dan Kingerski of Pittsburgh Hockey Now, BHN has compiled the list of likely rental players who will fill the NHL trade rumors in advance of the trade deadline.

Typically, the market is hot for righties because they’re in scarce supply, and lefty defensemen can be had for mid-round picks. (See Hainsey, Ron. 2017).

Rental Left-Handed Defenseman Watch List

Mark Borwiecki, Ottawa Senators, 31. $1.2 million

Bruins fans know Borowiecki well from the Bruins-Senators rivalry. He’s thrown down with plenty of Bruins and even laid some suspendable hits on Bruins star players so let’s just say bringing in the hated Borowiecki wouldn’t be an easy sell. However, as they’ve learned with Marchand, the 6’2, 204-pound rearguard is one of those players who you love on your team and hate as an opponent. Borowiecki recently said he’s focused on not fighting but he could still bring a physical and intimidating edge the Bruins have been missing against the Caps and Blues, should they advance that far in the playoffs.

Brenden Dillon: San Jose Sharks, 29. $3.25 million

The 6’5, 225-pound Dillon is a rugged rearguard who could replace what the Bruins have been missing with Kevan Miller injured and should the Bruins decide to trade Miller in an effort to land that top 6 winger if and when he gets healthy. One of the Bruins main issues against the bigger contenders like the Capitals and the Blues has been clearing bodies out in front when Chara or Carlo are off the ice and Dillon specializes in body-clearing.

Marco Scandella: Buffalo Sabres, 29. $4 million

At 6-foot-3, 215-pounds, Scandella is a presence. He is not a bruiser so to speak and struggles with speed but he could be a proper third-pairing defenseman with a faster, puck-moving defenseman. Ahem, Matt Grzelcyk if the Bruins use John Moore in a trade to get a forward.

He has eight points (3g, 5a) in 30 games this season and is averaging over 16 minutes of ice time.

Ron Hainsey: Ottawa Senators, 39. $3.5 million. Modified No-Movement Clause

At 39-years-old, Hainsey is probably on his last go-round and he won’t win a Stanley Cup in Ottawa. He would in Boston however and the Bolton, MA native could return to his New England routes and not far from where he built his draft stock at UMass Lowell. Raising a Cup with the Bruins would definitely have that full circle feel in terms of geography.

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