Mailbag: Should the Bruins trade for this player?

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Appreciate the question, Ryan.

Following Boston's 4-2 win over the Seattle Kraken on Thursday night, the Bruins 2nd line of Casey Mittelstadt, Pavel Zacha, and Viktor Arvidsson have now scored a goal in 6 consecutive games.

On the season, Zacha is 3rd on the Bruins with 33 points, Arvidsson is 6th with 24 points, and Mittelstadt is 8th with 21 points.

They have also been utilized as Boston's shutdown line, and have played more minutes together than any other trio combination on the team.

In fact, there are only 4 forward lines in the entire league that have played more minutes together this season than Mittelstadt, Zacha, and Arvidsson have for BOS.

(WPG) Kyle Connor - Mark Scheifele - Gabe Vilardi

(DET) Lucas Raymond - Dylan Larkin - Emmitt Finnie

(COL) Artturi Lehkonen - Nathan Mackinnon - Martin Necas

(TBL) Zemgus Girgensons - Yanni Gourde - Pontus Holmberg

Mittelstadt, and Zacha each still have a year remaining on their contracts beyond this season and the latter is a player that Boston values now, and likely in the future - to help bring along and support younger talent coming up the pipeline.

Mittelstadt is probably a player that the Bruins may want to try and bide their time with. Unless another team calls with an undeniable offer (highly unlikely), Boston may just wait to decide on Mittelstadt until sometime during his contract year - he's just entering his prime now at 27 and has been pretty good since moving to the wing which is a positive development.

Arvidsson is currently on an expiring contract and the easiest to shop.

Now, if Boston is in the playoff picture or right at it come deadline time, would they care to move Arvidsson for a 2nd or 3rd round draft pick? Eh, probably not.

And they probably wouldn't love the idea of potentially deflating the locker room.

That said, and as the Million Dollar Man, Ted DiBiase, coined "Everybody's got a price".

If there's a team willing to part with a 1st round pick for Arvidsson - Boston has to do it, regardless of if they are in a playoff spot or not.

Arvidsson has had a good season for the Bruins, but he's 32, injury prone, and let's face it - easily replaceable.

Boston has had many key injuries this year, Arvidsson included, and someone always steps up given the opportunity.

So to put a bow on it - I don't think the Bruins are licking their lips to trade any one of these guys - and to be honest, I don't think they're interested in trading Zacha at all.

But depending on where they are in the standings after the Olympics and approaching the trade deadline, along with any potential offers that may come their way for Arvidsson, or even Mittelstadt - I think Boston is willing to part with them for a return of relative substance.

Thank you for the question, Casey!

Sportsnet Insider, Elliotte Friedman, mentioned on Monday's episode of the 32 Thoughts Podcast that the Calgary Flames may be looking to move on from Rasmus Andersson as soon as the Olympic break.

Then on Wednesday, Jimmy Murphy of RG Media reported that an NHL source had indicated that Boston has already made an offer to Calgary - and that Mason Lohrei and one of Boston's own 1st round picks could be on the table.

Jimmy's article can be found here.

Is there smoke to the rumor?

Yes, I think so.

Not only the article above, and Elliotte's comments on Monday, but Friedman also doubled down on Friday's episode and said that reports coming out of Boston regarding definite and mutual interest between Boston and Calgary.

He details that talks between the Bruins and Flames has been off and on - which is in line with Jimmy's article of possible discussions dating back to last draft.

Boston being interested in Andersson makes sense - whether one thinks they should be or not.

He fills an organizational need for Boston as a bonafide top-four, right shot defensemen - and at 29 matches up with the prime of Boston's top players in David Pastrnak (29), Charlie McAvoy (28), Elias Lindholm (31), Hampus Lindholm (31), Pavel Zacha (28), Nikita Zadorov (30), Morgan Geekie (27), and Jeremy Swayman (27).

Acquiring Andersson would solve Boston's top-four right side for the next five years assuming there's an extension in place.

However, if the cost of doing so is parting with Boston's 2026, 1st round pick - that may be too steep for my liking despite Boston still having Toronto's 1st round pick, and knowing that draft picks aren't always a guarantee hit.

Trading for Andersson is tempting as hell - especially with how free agency hasn't really been a market place to acquire top players over the last few years with cap increases.

But if i'm the Bruins, I think i'm holding onto both of the 1st round picks that they currently own in what's being billed as a high end and deep 2026 draft.

Instead of trading for Andersson, maybe they're better off trying to draft the next one, or possibly someone who turns out even better.

That said, Andersson is still only 29 - so it's not like he's mid 30s - and he does line up with the prime of Boston's current core of top players.

Additionally, Boston has two more 1st round picks in 2027.

If they can hold onto their picks in 2026, and part with one from 2027 - then trading for Andersson kind of feels like a no-brainer.

Now Jimmy's source doesn't specify in which year, Boston's 1st round pick is in play - but if Calgary wants Lohrei so badly in return, and it is indeed Boston's 2026 1st on the table - perhaps Boston could convince Calgary to take Lohrei and a 2027 1st (either Boston's own or the one they own from Florida) instead.

Interesting story - time will tell.