Bruins Wrap: Bruins, DeBrusk, Laine, NHL Trade Rumors

Boston Bruins winger Jake DeBrusk’s value on the NHL trade market continues to soar.

Is Nick Foligno about to become the player the Bruins were hoping for when they signed him last summer?

Despite an array of rumors surrounding him, Columbus Blue Jackets winger Patrik Laine will not be available before the NHL Trade Deadline.

That and more in the BHN Bruins Wrap:

Boston Bruins

Is Nick Foligno finally becoming the player the Boston Bruins thought they were getting when they signed him to a two-year contract that carries a $3.8 million cap hit?

Speaking of Foligno, friend of BHN, Jeff Marek, explained the backstory behind Foligno and Anaheim Ducks forward Sam Carrick fighting again this past Tuesday. According to Marek, Foligno actually challenged the Ducks bench in January before he and Carrick fought then.

After news broke that Jake DeBrusk has not rescinded his trade request, the Boston Bruins winger soared up the TSN NHL Trade Bait list, all the way to No.6.

In case you missed it, DeBrusk’s agent fueled NHL Trade rumors around his client again when he told Pierre LeBrun Tuesday that not only had DeBrusk not pulled his trade request off the table but that he now has permission to let interested teams know that the Bruins will sign an extension with DeBrusk to get a deal done.

San Jose Sharks center Tomas Hertl makes a ton of sense for the Bruins to pursue on the NHL trade market, but is he truly available?

When the Boston Bruins return from their six-game road trip and host the Los Angeles Kings on Monday, fans will no longer be required to wear masks.

National Hockey Now

NYI: New York Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello isn’t throwing in the towel just yet, so for now the Islanders don’t appear to be sellers at the NHL Trade Deadline.

Pittsburgh: The Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres have been scouting each other ahead of the March 21 NHL Trade Deadline.

Philly: Philadelphia Flyers center and Dorchester, MA native Kevin Hayes is set to return to the lineup but Sam Carchidi wonders if, after two offseason abdominal surgeries and another procedure in January, should the Flyers just shelve him for the season?

Washington: Washington Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan is taking a realistic approach to the NHL Trade Deadline. So what areas of the roster will he be targeting to improve via trades?

Detroit: The Detroit Red Wings will by no means be buyers leading into the NHL trade deadline but could they be players in unrestricted free agency? More specifically, could they try and sign defenseman Hampus Lindholm if he becomes a UFA in July?

Colorado: The Colorado Avalanche could be getting a big boost to their blue line soon without making a trade.

San Jose: The San Jose Sharks acquired an old friend on the NHL trade market late Wednesday night when they traded for goalie Alex Stalock.

Canada Hockey Now

Montreal: Will Montreal native Kris Letang finally end up playing for the Montreal Canadiens next season?

Vancouver: What are the latest NHL trade rumors involving the Vancouver Canucks?

NHL

Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen made it abundantly clear that winger Patrik Laine is not on the NHL trade market.

Who are the leading trade suitors for Flyers captain Claude Giroux?

Ukraine’s official diplomatic representative in Canada has asked the Canadian government to stop issuing travel visas and work permits to Russian athletes, a move he says will put more pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to abandon his invasion of Ukraine.

Here’s your Irish Track of the day: