Bruins Wrap: Ban Russia ASAP? Lysell, Bruins And NHL Trade Rumors

The NHL trade chatter continues to increase but right now, just as it is for all facets of life, the focus of the hockey world is zeroed in on the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

There is a general consensus across hockey that the IIHF needs to ban all Russian teams from IIHF sanctioned tournaments and games until further notice.

Boston Bruins top forward prospect Fabian Lysell’s trade value continues to rise as the Bruins try to shore up their top 4 defensive pairings and add a legit second-line center.

That and more in the latest BHN Bruins Wrap:

Boston Bruins

In just his second game after a six-game suspension, Brad Marchand scored two games, including the game-winner, in a 3-1 Boston Bruins win that extended their win streak to four games.

One would imagine that if the Bruins want to acquire the likes of Jakob Chychrun or J.T. Miller on the NHL trade market, the Arizona Coyotes and Vancouver continue to ask for either Jeremy Swayman or 2021 first-round pick Fabian Lysell as part of the return. The more the skilled, 19-year-old phenom pulls off moves like this though, the more the Bruins are likely going to take him off the table, if they haven’t already.

Silky hands for Bruins first round pick Fabian Lysell 🚨 pic.twitter.com/4cFMvlvt4W

— Joe Haggerty (@HackswithHaggs) February 26, 2022

Can Brad Marchand walk the line once again and not hurt the Bruins down the stretch?

National Hockey Now

NYI: This season just keeps getting worse for the New York Islanders. The Isles will have to play the Anaheim Ducks without defenseman and former Bruins captain Zdeno Chara, and forward Mathew Barzal after both were injured in a 5-2 loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday. The Islanders are already reportedly in sell mode on the NHL trade market and this should accelerate that.

Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh Penguins winger Kasperi Kapanen is falling out of favor with head coach Mike Sullivan. Could he or is he already on the NHL trade market?

Philly: More on the Jeff Petry to the Philadelphia Flyers and Rasmus Ristolainen NHL trade rumors from Sam Carchidi. 

Washington: Are the Washington Capitals about to acquire a goalie on the NHL trade market? The Caps assigned goalie Vitek Vanecek (for conditioning) and goalie Pheonix Copley to Hershey (AHL) on Sunday. Chicago Blackhawks goalie Marc-Andre Fleury reportedly already nixed a trade to the Capitals. Has general manager Brian MacLellan found his man?

Florida: Don’t look now, but the Florida Panthers are suddenly in a slump.

Detroit: The Detroit Red Wings lost by a field goal, 10-7 to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night.

San Jose: Big props to the San Jose Sharks and Bruins fans for waving the Ukraine flag and voicing support of the Ukrainian people!

Canada Hockey Now

Montreal: This could be the biggest decision Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes have to make before the NHL Trade Deadline. Good piece by my Montreal Hockey Now partner-in-scribe Marcus D’Amico on the pros and cons of the Montreal Canadiens trading Artturi Lehokonen. 

Vancouver: Great stuff from our man in VAN, Rob Simpson, on Vancouver Canucks head coach Bruce Boudreau recalling his Mike Milbury moment with New York Rangers fans.

NHL

As New York Post writer Larry Brooks writes, it’s about time the NHL give Chara the respect he’s earned, and again, what was Mike Milbury thinking trading the former Bruins captain and future hall of famer?

The lads on 32 Thoughts discuss the implications of the Ukraine Invasion by Russia on the hockey world and why the NHLPA is rightfully ticked off about the Arizona Coyotes playing their home games at Arizona State for the next three seasons.

As pointed out by Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman pointed out in the link above, the Ukraine invasion is garnering tons of reaction in the NHL world and will likely have huge implications on Russian NHLers and Russian players anywhere and at any level. Hall of fame goalie Dominik Hasek thinks all Russian NHLers should be banned. Do you agree?

The NHL must immediately suspend contracts for all Russian players! Every athlete represents not only himself and his club, but also his country and its values and actions. That is a fact. If the NHL does not do so, it has indirect co-responsibility for the dead in Ukraine.

— Dominik Hasek (@hasek_dominik) February 26, 2022

And arguably the greatest hockey player ever, Wayne Gretzky, believes that the IIHF should ban Russia from the upcoming World Juniors this August in Alberta.

“I think International Hockey should say we’re not going to let them play in the World Junior Hockey tournament…”

With the World Juniors rescheduled for August in Alberta, Wayne Gretzky spoke about the need to make a statement by banning Russia from it: https://t.co/atdHljzFUG pic.twitter.com/NxaotwDqwl

— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) February 27, 2022