BHN Puck Links: Are The Boston Bruins Pursuing Oliver Ekman Larsson?

The trade winds continue to swirl around the NHL and the Boston Bruins continue to be involved in multiple trade rumors. Also, two former Bruins make the headlines in the latest edition of BHN Puck Links:

Are The Boston Bruins Pursuing Oliver Ekman-Larsson?

In another sign that Torey Krug’s days on the Boston Bruins blue line are coming to a close, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet had an interesting tidbit in his latest 31 Thoughts column. Friedman reports that the Bruins, the Edmonton Oilers, and Calgary Flames are three of potentially multiple teams that have inquired on the availability of Arizona Coyotes defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson. The Coyotes blueliner just finished the first season of an eight-year, $66 million contract that carries an $8.2 million cap hit and a no-movement clause. The 29-year-old Ekman-Larsson has hit the 50-point plateau once and the 40-point mark four times in nine NHL seasons. Like Krug, he’s an offensive-minded, left-shot powerplay quarterback. Hmmmmm. 

Habs Sign Edmundson But Are They Done?

After acquiring the rights to negotiate with impending unrestricted free agent defenseman Joel Edmundson last Saturday, the Montreal Canadiens signed the 6-foot-4, 215-pound rearguard to a four-year deal that carries a $3.5 cap hit. Friend of Boston Hockey Now and Canadiens Beat Reporter/Columnist for Sportsnet Eric Engels pointed out though, Habs GM Marc Bergevin likely isn’t done. Adding Edmundson could make another Montreal defenseman expendable and help Bergevin acquire a top 6 forward. 

Former Boston Bruins F Billy Guerin Wheeling And Dealing

Former Boston Bruins forward and current Minnesota Wild General Manager has been a busy man this week. On Tuesday, Guerin signed defenseman Jonas Brodin to a seven-year, $42 million contract extension and on Wednesday, the former Pittsburgh Penguins Assistant General Manager acquired former Bruins winger Marcus Johansson from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for veteran center Eric Staal. As the boys on TSN Insider Trading pointed out though, Guerin doesn’t appear to be done wheeling and dealing as it appears defenseman Matt Dumba could be dealt for a center. There’s also rumors that the Wild are trying to acquire goalie Matt Murray from the Penguins. 

World Juniors Headed For The Bubble

Just as the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs were, the 2021 IIHF World Juniors will be held in a bubble environment with games being played at Rogers Place in Edmonton. There will also be no fans allowed in the arena for the games. The IIHF and Hockey Canada have been impressed with the success of the NHL in their bubbles in Toronto and Edmonton and believe they can minimize COVID19 cases as well if they follow suit. 

Former Boston Bruins D Johnny Boychuk Sparked Isles 

Former Boston Bruins and current New York Islanders defenseman Johnny Boychuk played a major role in the Islanders 2-1 double overtime win over the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 5 that forced Game 6 tonight in Edmonton. His leadership and the spark he provided for his teammates after not playing for a month came as no surprise to his former Bruins teammate Mark Recchi, who won a Stanley Cup with Boychuk in 2011. More at NYI Hockey Now.