David Pagnotta says the Bruins are shopping Toronto's first-round pick, and Dylan Larkin looks like a natural fit for Boston.
The Bruins are 13-4-1, first in the Atlantic Division, and they still want more. According to Pagnotta, they are exploring the market with two firsts to dangle, their own and the Maple Leafs'.
He also made clear that Boston isn't looking for a short-term fix. That points to a player who can help for years, not a rental.
Fans in Toronto will wince at the source of that extra pick. Fraser Minten, drafted by the Maple Leafs in 2022, now plays for the Bruins and has 12 points and a +11 rating in 18 games, with two game-winning goals.
Meanwhile, the Red Wings are sliding. Detroit lost 3-2 in St. Louis on Tuesday night, its fourth straight defeat, and sits 25th in the NHL at 7-9-3.
Larkin has 6 points in 10 games this season, and we've followed his name all week. We looked at Dylan Larkin to the Maple Leafs in a proposed deal on Monday, and at a fan-made swap on Tuesday.
Would Larkin really fit a team built for the long haul?
On paper, yes. Boston has the picks, the standings position and a stated appetite for a long-term addition.
But Larkin is 30, and his deal carries an $8.7 million cap hit through 2030-31. That is a long commitment for a player at the stage of his career where "long term" gets expensive. For a team that says it doesn't want a short-term fix, that contract is the part to weigh.
Matvei Michkov is a name worth tossing into the mix. He's 21, has 10 goals in 20 games for the Flyers, and his entry-level deal expires after this season. If the Bruins want a piece that fits a five-year plan, he's the younger swing. He also carries a -11 rating, which says plenty about how the Flyers' season has gone.
Nothing here is done, and Pagnotta did not hang a name on the Bruins' interest in what we have. Boston is back at home Thursday against Montreal, while Detroit visits Florida the same night. Whoever answers the phone next will tell us how serious the Bruins are.
Quick hits
CALGARY FLAMES: Eric Francis says Jonathan Huberdeau is on the verge of returning, and that could squeeze a crowded left wing. The Flames host the Rangers tonight at the Saddledome.
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MINNESOTA WILD: Frank Seravalli reports Brock Faber is trending toward a return on Saturday night in Boston. It's been a long wait for the Wild's blue line.
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NEW YORK ISLANDERS: David Pagnotta says the Islanders are eyeing next Tuesday for Mathew Barzal's season debut. Circle the date.
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OTTAWA SENATORS: Nick Cousins' status is the biggest question in Ottawa this morning after Travis Green said, "He's not doing great." That follows the Chychrun hit.
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NEW JERSEY DEVILS: Sheldon Keefe says change on the power play is "not too far away" after Tuesday's 0-for-4 night in Winnipeg. Expect a shake-up soon.
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This article was written with the help of artificial intelligence, based on public reports and official sources.
Should the Bruins use Toronto's first-round pick on Dylan Larkin?
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