Mailbag: Should BOS trade any waiver eligible players before possibly losing them for nothing?

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Thanks for the question, Burnsy.

I don't think the Bruins are interested in trading Michael DiPietro right now because the chances are more probable than not that he would clear waivers.

Another NHL team would have to roster him if they claimed him, and I don't think many teams are in major search of a back up at the moment.

DiPietro brings legitimate goaltending for Providence's season in the AHL, and he provides solid insurance in case one of Jeremy Swayman, or Jonas Korpisalo get injured, or hell, perhaps even traded.

The same risk of losing DiPietro to waivers also applies to Georgii Merkulov - Fabian Lysell is waiver exempt.

To be honest though, I'm not sure Merkulov, or Lysell have any trade value whatsoever.

Lysell, in particular, had a disappointing training camp ... yet again.

Merkulov has at least been one of the AHL's better scorers in recent seasons, and was somewhat noticeable in his two preseason games for the Bruins this fall.

But I don't think there are any NHL teams interested in swapping prospects with Lysell or Merkulov as the return - neither has an NHL future based on their past training camps and brief NHL call ups.

DiPietro could sweeten the pot but to the above point - I think the Bruins expect him to clear waivers and report back to Providence rather than try and trade him as to not lose him to waivers.