In the days leading up to this weekends NHL draft, the Bruins have been heavily involved in trade rumors. From teams calling about David Krejci, to the Bruins reportedly trying to move David Backes to the chatter about what to do with the left side of their defense, it's been a busy offseason of rumors on Causeway Street.
If another report is indeed true, general manager Don Sweeney should be adding more onto his plate.
According to Michael Russo of The Athletic
the Flyers are gearing up to potentially trade Wayne Simmonds.
The 29-yeard old Simmonds has one year left on his current contract that will pay him $5 million this season. However, his cap hit comes in at a very reasonable $3.975 million. Simmonds has a modified no trade clause that allows him to submit a list of 12 teams he would accept a trade to. With the Bruins on the doorstop of being a Stanley Cup contender and a need for a top-six right winger, the Bruins would be a great fit for Simmonds.
After back-to-back 30+ goal seasons in 2015-16 and 2016-17, Simmonds had a drop in production with 25 goals during an injury plagued season last year. Simmonds only missed seven games, but never really appeared to be at 100% throughout the course of the season.
A healthy Simmonds should be able to crack 30 goals again this season, especially if he were to be placed to the right of Brad Marchand and Patrice Begeron on the Bruins top line. As a unrestricted free agent next summer, any trade for Simmonds would most likely come with a contract extension agreement. At 29, it would make sense for Simmonds to seek a three-to-four year contract. Most likely his last big contract.
With a pool of prospects in the system, the Bruins have chips in play and should have enough to push towards Philly for the services of Simmonds.
Simmonds is undoubtedly the type of player you wont both off and on the ice. He's consistently flirting with 30 goals, and brings a very physical game each and every night. He's also no stranger to the power play either with 149 career power play points.
If the Bruins were to trade and extend Simmonds, it would benefit the Bruins to move some cap space either before or after a deal would be complete. Trading Backes would make the most sense.
Backes has three years at $6 million per season left on his current contract. Backes has been consistently inconsistent during his time in Boston, rewarding the Bruins with much less than he should at $6 million per.
Moving Backes may prove to be difficult, despite teams being interested. The 34-year old Backes seemingly has enjoyed his tenure in Boston and currently has a full no-movement clause.
As much as Sweeney wants to get the Bruins back into the first round of the draft this weekend, he's still been unable to do so. Regardless of fulfilling his wish or not, it should be a busy draft weekend for the Bruins and their management team.
Boston Bruins Blogger • 
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