Bruins Wrap: Are Bruins In Trouble? More NHL Trade Rumors

Do the Boston Bruins need to make a big change via the NHL trade market or are they just suffering the typical setbacks every team does during the regular season?

The Montreal Canadiens are reportedly eyeing more goaltending help on the NHL trade market.

That and more in the latest Bruins Wrap: 

Boston Bruins

The Bruins laid an egg in their first game at UBS Arena, as they basically stopped playing after the first period and ended up losing 4-1 to the New York Islanders. 

Are the Boston Bruins in trouble or was that loss to the Isles just the ebb and flow of an injury and COVID-riddled season, as well as Brad Marchand’s recent buffoonery?

Per Pierre LeBrun of TSN, the Bruins are one of a plethora of NHL teams interested in acquiring Montreal Canadiens defenseman Ben Chiarot before the NHL Trade Deadline.   

National Hockey Now

NYI: Our man on the Island, Stefen Rosner, gives the Islanders perspective from Thursday and focuses on the reemergence of former Boston University forward Kieffer Bellows. There have been whispers that the Isles have been shopping Bellows on the NHL trade market but his performance against the Bruins may make them reconsider. 

Philly: New Philadelphia Flyers special assistant to the general manager Daniel Briere is already busy scouting as the Flyers get set to become major players on the NHL trade market.  

Pittsburgh: What will the Pittsburgh Penguins do about impending unrestricted free agent Bryan Rust? If they want to sign him to an extension they will need to move some cap space on the NHL trade market. 

Washington: There’s been increased chatter that the Montreal Canadiens are reportedly interested in acquiring Washington Capitals goalie Ilya Samsonov. 

Vegas: The Vegas Golden Knights won’t be having a reunion with Marc-Andre Fleury before the NHL trade deadline, but have they now set their eyes on Rangers goalie Alexander Georgiev?

Montreal: The Montreal Canadiens hired former Boston Bruins director of amateur scouting Nick Bobrov as co-director of amateur scouting and Vincent Lecavalier as special advisor to hockey operations.

Calgary: Is Calgary Flames head coach Darryl Sutter a Jack Adams favorite?

Vancouver: Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes is free from COVID quarantine. 

NHL

According to TSN Insider Pierre LeBrun, the Vancouver Canucks may be pulling center J.T. Miller off the NHL Trade market until at least the offseason, and may even sign him to an extension. 

IIHF president Luc Tardif is confident NHLers will be at the 2026 Winter Olympics.