Should the Bruins trade for Jordan Eberle

[RedOctober3829]

I've heard an unsubstantiated rumor(not from HFBoards) that the Bruins have rekindled discussions for Oilers RW Jordan Eberle within the last week.  I've heard Lucic and Bartkowski's names being tossed around but ultimately I can not see them trading Lucic. I was told that Lucic's antics have led to him falling out of favor with Cam Neely.  I don't think the Bruins would part ways with Lucic, but Chiarelli has done unexpected trades before(i.e. Seguin).
 
Joe Haggerty's article today gives his proposed offer for Eberle using Kelly and Bartkowski.
 

So the Bruins would have their right wing solution for the foreseeable future if they brought him into the fold. Boston will have to fight through a dysfunctional offense until they find a proper solution on the right side of David Krejci and Milan Lucic, and that means going outside the organization for the answer.

The challenge is meeting Edmonton’s price for Eberle, who will draw interest around the league, and clearing more cap space in order to take on his cap tag.

With $3.759 million in cap space, the Bruins would easily be able to absorb Eberle’s cap hit by including Kelly and Matt Bartkowski in the deal, along with the draft pick and prospect package expected to land Edmonton’s big fish. The Oilers need another center with 2014 first round pick Leon Draisaitl looking like he’s not ready for NHL prime time this season, and Kelly would bring the leadership, stability and defensive mentality that’s still sorely lacking on an incomplete Oil roster. The Bruins also have Ryan Spooner and Alex Khokhlachev in the pipeline as center prospects that are knocking on the NHL door, and could be in a much better professional situation for opportunity in Edmonton as opposed to a packed Boston roster.

Peter Chiarelli could wipe away the sting of the Boychuk trade and address the roster’s biggest flaw if he can pull off the Eberle deal, and he needs to do whatever it takes to make it happen.
 

http://www.csnne.com/blog/bruins-talk/bruins-need-make-play-eberle
 
What do you think Edmonton would accept from the Bruins for Eberle?  Do you pull the trigger if they insist upon Lucic? 

 

[NYCSox]

There is no way Kelly and Bartkowski would come close to making it happen. Bartkowski is JAG and they have JAGs on their blueline as it is.
 
I would think Lucic or possibly Subban might make things interesting, though of course the Bruins can't take on that kind of salary without moving a lot back as well.
 
Edit: Not to mention Kelly's NTC as well.

 

[McDrew]

Last Year:
Player A: 24-25-59
Player B: 28-37-65
 

Spoiler

A: Lucic
B: Eberle

 
How is Eberle a significant upgrade?  If we can get Eberle without trading top 6 talent, and clearing the cap enough to take on his 6M/yr cap hit, then sure.  Otherwise, this is yet another one of Haggerty's masturbatory pipe dreams. 

 

[Ed Hillel]

Last Year:
Player A: 24-25-59
Player B: 28-37-65
 

Spoiler

A: Lucic
B: Eberle

 
How is Eberle a significant upgrade?  If we can get Eberle without trading top 6 talent, and clearing the cap enough to take on his 6M/yr cap hit, then sure.  Otherwise, this is yet another one of Haggerty's masturbatory pipe dreams. 

 
Eberle is younger, his contract lasts longer at the same rate through his age 29 season, and you assume that deal will get better as the cap increases. He'll age better than Lucic and he's more skilled. Lucic brings the toughness, but he skates the line often and he has had some attitude concerns. I'm just not sure why Edmonton would want to trade that contract for Lucic. I'd have to assume it would take Lucic + to get a deal done.

 

[The Talented Allen Ripley]

I've heard an unsubstantiated rumor(not from HFBoards) that the Bruins have rekindled discussions for Oilers RW Jordan Eberle within the last week.  I've heard Lucic and Bartkowski's names being tossed around but ultimately I can not see them trading Lucic. I was told that Lucic's antics have led to him falling out of favor with Cam Neely.  I don't think the Bruins would part ways with Lucic, but Chiarelli has done unexpected trades before(i.e. Seguin).
 
Joe Haggerty's article today gives his proposed offer for Eberle using Kelly and Bartkowski.
 
http://www.csnne.com/blog/bruins-talk/bruins-need-make-play-eberle
 
What do you think Edmonton would accept from the Bruins for Eberle?  Do you pull the trigger if they insist upon Lucic? 

 
Isn't it a foregone conclusion that he'll be traded? They're sure as hell not going to re-sign him given what the market will bear for him after next year, and letting him walk for nothing seems like a wasted opportunity.

 

[RedOctober3829]

There is no way Kelly and Bartkowski would come close to making it happen. Bartkowski is JAG and they have JAGs on their blueline as it is.
 
I would think Lucic or possibly Subban might make things interesting, though of course the Bruins can't take on that kind of salary without moving a lot back as well.
 
Edit: Not to mention Kelly's NTC as well.

Subban, Khoko, Kelly, and Bartkowski for Eberle?  Would you do it?

 

[Red Right Ankle]

 
Eberle is younger, his contract lasts longer at the same rate through his age 29 season, and you assume that deal will get better as the cap increases. He'll age better than Lucic and he's more skilled. Lucic brings the toughness, but he skates the line often and he has had some attitude concerns. I'm just not sure why Edmonton would want to trade that contract for Lucic. I'd have to assume it would take Lucic + to get a deal done.

 
Yeah, while Lucic for Eberle is basically a parallel move from a production stand point - they are both 60-70ish point players although Eberle might have more upside.
 
From an advanced standpoint, for the last two seasons, Eberle has had a better CorsiRel and had a lower OZone Start % than Lucic while facing a similar quality of competition.
 
Kelly would have to waive his NTC clause (or rather, exclude Edmonton from his list of 8 teams he would accept a trade to) to be included in any deal.

 

[NYCSox]

Subban, Khoko, Kelly, and Bartkowski for Eberle?  Would you do it?

 
For sure if I'm Chiarelli. They need some speed in the lineup and Eberle gets them that as well as helps fill out the Krejci line.
 
If I'm MacTavish, I would seriously be tempted if for no other reason than to get some stability in goal as well as a really good center prospect, both of which are holes in their system.

 

[cshea]

I'm not sure Lucic+ for Eberle makes sense for either team. The Bruins solve the right wing hole in this scenario while creating a left wing issue. Eberle may have more upside than Lucic, but in the short term, I'm not sure it really improves the Bruins. As for Edmonton, as usual, they high-end need defense. Bart is more of what they already have. Kelly is a "hey we need to send money to them too!" throw-in in this hypothetical, but what does Edmonton do with him? They've got a younger, similar player in Boyd Gordon.

If we're talking with Edmonton, I think Teddy Purcell is more of a realistic option than Eberle. I don't think the Bruins have enough high-end assets to match-up with Edmonton's needs to pry a guy like Eberle loose. I'm not a huge Purcell fan, but I can see him being the odd man out in Oilers land and he'd be cheaper to acquire.

 

[Ed Hillel]

I'm not sure Lucic+ for Eberle makes sense for either team. The Bruins solve the right wing hole in this scenario while creating a left wing issue. Eberle may have more upside than Lucic, but in the short term, I'm not sure it really improves the Bruins. As for Edmonton, as usual, they high-end need defense. Bart is more of what they already have. Kelly is a "hey we need to send money to them too!" throw-in in this hypothetical, but what does Edmonton do with him? They've got a younger, similar player in Boyd Gordon.

 
Hmmm. If it's a wash short term (and I'm not convinced, given the way Lucic has looked, the inherent risk he runs in terms of suspensions, and maybe even the law) and it benefits the team long-term, why wouldn't it make sense for Boston? I like Eberle's contract quite a bit, maybe you disagree and think the money would be spent better elsewhere down the road?

 

[TheRealness]

I'm not sure Lucic+ for Eberle makes sense for either team. The Bruins solve the right wing hole in this scenario while creating a left wing issue. Eberle may have more upside than Lucic, but in the short term, I'm not sure it really improves the Bruins. As for Edmonton, as usual, they high-end need defense. Bart is more of what they already have. Kelly is a "hey we need to send money to them too!" throw-in in this hypothetical, but what does Edmonton do with him? They've got a younger, similar player in Boyd Gordon.

If we're talking with Edmonton, I think Teddy Purcell is more of a realistic option than Eberle. I don't think the Bruins have enough high-end assets to match-up with Edmonton's needs to pry a guy like Eberle loose. I'm not a huge Purcell fan, but I can see him being the odd man out in Oilers land and he'd be cheaper to acquire.

 
I agree with this. Trading Lucic for Eberle just trades out one problem for another. They need to add Eberle without touching their top 6 forwards. I would imagine Kelly and Bart are really there for cap purposes, and that Chiarelli would have to trade a 2nd from the Boychuk deal (or their own) plus one of Spooner, Koko or Subban. They might have to add some middling prospects, but if I'm Edmonton I'd be looking hard at Subban and trying to pry him away. 
 
I think the organization is very high on Subban, so I doubt they deal him. I believe they are lower on Spooner this year, so I would imagine Chiarelli is trying to get a deal done centered around Spooner, Kelly, Bart a 2nd plus some minor prospects. I would definitely be kicking the tires on this. The Bruins need a skilled RW up front and adding a piece like Eberle is the type of move they should be looking to make. 

 

[burstnbloom]

If I'm moving Lucic, I'd want significantly more than Eberle.   He does solve a glaring need on this roster though.  Kelly and Bart would definitely be there for cap purposes.  Id be willing to give up two of Subban/Koko/Spooner to make it happen.  
 
If you assume bridge contract raises for Krug/Smith/Hamilton and a big raise for Soderberg, they can actually make this work next year as well. 
 
Krug - $3
Smith - $3
Dougie - $2.5
Soderberg - $5
Eberle - $6
 
That would put them at roughly $67mil going into next year but theyd still need to add either McQuaid or another D.  The cap will likely rise to around $72mil.  It would be tight but it could work and Lucic - Krejci - Eberle could be dynamic.  

 

[cshea]

 
Hmmm. If it's a wash short term (and I'm not convinced, given the way Lucic has looked, the inherent risk he runs in terms of suspensions, and maybe even the law) and it benefits the team long-term, why wouldn't it make sense for Boston? I like Eberle's contract quite a bit, maybe you disagree and think the money would be spent better elsewhere down the road?

To me, in terms of winning in 2014-2015, swapping Lucic for Eberle doesn't improve the Bruins chances of winning the Stanley Cup. It's a lateral move at best.

Edit: I'm all for trying to acquire Eberle, but I think it is going to be very tough find a package that sarisfies Edmonton's needs, works cap wise, and isn't a lateral move for the Bruins.

 

[TSC]

To answer the question posed in the title of this thread - Yes.
 
Unfortunately I don't see Edmonton as a good fit for the Bruins as trading partners, especially if the Bruins are doing this as a "win now, AND later" deal.
 
You don't want to trade Lucic. But you need to clear cap room. Edmonton needs young good D - the Bruins need young, good D.
 
I think the only way this happens is if Edmonton is willing to take on a contract, AND some raw prospects. Something around Kelly, Subban, Morrow or Trotman. I don't know if Edmonton says yes to that though.

 

[TSC]

Oh, and if Haggerty is reporting this as a possibility - there's not even smoke. Hackerty has nothing.

 

[BigMike]

Edmonton needs to add 1, maybe 2 significant pieces in a Lucic for Eberle deal.   And unless those significant pieces play this year, it doesn't help you for 2014/2015
 
I hear people who want to do Marchand +++ for Eberle.  Eberle is a better player than Marchand,  but not enough of a better player that it would be worth giving up a 2015 #1 and Subban as throw ins.   

 

[kenneycb]

Given his contract situation, dealing for Lucic would be stupid unless they plan on moving him for pieces later on.  Minimal, if any, value add for a team that doesn't look like it's competing this year or next, pending any additional significant acquisitions.

 

[MiracleOfO2704]

Edmonton needs to add 1, maybe 2 significant pieces in a Lucic for Eberle deal.   And unless those significant pieces play this year, it doesn't help you for 2014/2015   

 
Eberle is two years younger, signed for an additional three years at the exact same cap hit with no NTC/NMC, and has a skill set that should age better than Lucic while filling a need of the Bruins, yet Edmonton's going to have to sweeten the pot?
 
Mind you, I'm not saying Lucic-for-Eberle is a trade either side should be happy about, but to suggest that 18 months of Lucic is so much better than 4.5 years of Eberle that the Oilers need to add NHL-ready prospects to make the deal work is just nuts in my book.

 

[RedOctober3829]

@RealKyper: Some strong speculation tonite #Oilers #Bruins revisiting trade talk... told both teams desperate to change things up. Eberle perhaps?

 

[BoSoxFink]

Well Neely was asked on Felger and Mazz today if anything was close on the trade front and Neely said "no comment." Hmmmmmmm

Where there's smoke there's fire?

 

[Reardon's Beard]

Who's untouchable on this team right now? Rask and Bergeron certainly, probably Chara and Hamilton, but after that?

 

[Salem's Lot]

Who's untouchable on this team right now? Rask and Bergeron certainly, probably Chara and Hamilton, but after that?

I'd add Krejci to that list. Other then those 5 guys everyone else should be in play.

 

[RedOctober3829]

@RealKyper: Also wouldn't surprise me to hear of a 3rd team involved in any major #Bruins trade. Gives more flexibility with player(s) and salary cap.

 

[Reardon's Beard]

I'd add Krejci to that list. Other then those 5 guys everyone else should be in play.

 
Good call, and come to think of it I believe he has some sort of no movement clause in the extension.

 

[Reardon's Beard]

@RealKyper: Also wouldn't surprise me to hear of a 3rd team involved in any major #Bruins trade. Gives more flexibility with player(s) and salary cap.

 
That makes a lot of sense - up against the cap they'll need the flexibility.
 
Between the no comment line, and Chiarelli making the rounds, have to figure something is in the works.

 

[RedOctober3829]

@HackswithHaggs: The @RealKyper says B's/EDM talking trade again. FWIW, Oilers management covets Milan Lucic on Bruins roster. Still dont see him moved tho

 

[cshea]

Everyone on the Bruins making significant money has some sort of no move clause. That's Rask, Chara, Seidenberg, Krejci, Bergeron, Lucic, Marchand, and Chris Kelly. Loui Eriksson may have one as well, Cap Geek is unclear (he had to waive to come to Boston; no idea if he got it back). They basically have to trade 1 or more of those players to fit in a salary like Eberle's $6 million. So there are lots of road blocks. Getting guys to waive for Edmonton or getting a 3rd team involved that one of our players would waive for.

 

[Reardon's Beard]

@HackswithHaggs: The @RealKyper says B's/EDM talking trade again. FWIW, Oilers management covets Milan Lucic on Bruins roster. Still dont see him moved tho

 
Let's imagine they are willing to move Lucic and get Eberle. Could Boston ransom them for more than that? Who else might be a target on the roster?

 

[RedOctober3829]

@TheFourthPeriod: Can confirm that Oilers GM Craig MacTavish will address media tomorrow. Told not a formal presser, but he will speak.

 

[cshea]

I don't think the Oilers do Eberle for Lucic straight up. 

 

[RedOctober3829]

@TheFourthPeriod: I don't know if tmrw's presser in EDM will reveal anything of significance or not, but I do expect big news in the relatively near future.

 

[kenneycb]

Let's imagine they are willing to move Lucic and get Eberle. Could Boston ransom them for more than that? Who else might be a target on the roster?

I was jokingly going to say Yakupov, which led me to the 2012 draft.  Man that is a brutal first round.  The only player in the Bruins system that makes sense for the Oilers seems to be Subban and the B's don't have the cap space to take anyone decent on.  I'd also doubt it'd be a prospect for prospect trade.

 

[cshea]

Smith, Krug and Morrow would probably hold some value for the Oilers. Young, NHL roster players who are cheap and controllable for a few seasons. Not center pieces for a deal, but they're nice secondary pot sweeteners. The B's have a full load of draft picks, plus they have the Flyers 2nd round pick this year which is on track to be a top 40 pick in this draft. So there are some appealing pieces for the Oilers. The problem will shedding the big salary. They'll have to trade one of the NMC/NTC guys to make this work. Some may be of interest to Edmonton, but getting them to waive is another story.  
 
I'm skeptical that anything gets done due to all the moving parts, but we'll see. 

 

[kenneycb]

But I don't really see the B's trading those pieces, especially since their D is largely being held together by tape and glue right now.

 

[Jed Zeppelin]

I like the proactive approach at least. Always seems better to get things done well ahead of the deadline before every player has a bunch of suitors and prices skyrocket (thinking mostly about the difference between Wisniewski and Kaberle in the Cup year).

Cap is certainly a massive hurdle but better to start on this early if multiple moves/teams are required.

 

[cshea]

Eh, they're only missing Chara and it seems like he'll be back next week when they get back from the road trip anyway. McQuaid is pretty fungible. I think they have the depth to move a D if they chose to. 

 

[cshea]

FWIW, MacTavish is saying he's not going to break up the core of the team. Who he considers as the core is up for debate.

Edit: Also, apparently the B's have been tracking St. Louis of late (Chiarelli saw them Wednesday and apparently another high level exec was at the Blues game last nigh). LeBrun says they're interested in a STL forward, no idea if something happens. Oshie would be my guess.

 

[Dummy Hoy]

Chia is making the midwest rounds it would seem. Spotted in Chicago the other night too.

 

[cshea]

Yeah, that was the Blues game. Chiarelli was also in Buffalo on Tuesday for Bolts/Sabres leading to more Chris Stewart speculation.

 

[Reardon's Beard]

FWIW, MacTavish is saying he's not going to break up the core of the team. Who he considers as the core is up for debate.

Edit: Also, apparently the B's have been tracking St. Louis of late (Chiarelli saw them Wednesday and apparently another high level exec was at the Blues game last nigh). LeBrun says they're interested in a STL forward, no idea if something happens. Oshie would be my guess.

 
Oshie would be a find to play on the first line. Have to wonder if they're thinking an Eriksson swap/change of scenery type deal - but no idea why St Louis would want to make that deal. Their salaries are almost identical with Oshie two years younger, I think?
 
Edit: fat fingers.

 

[cshea]

St. Louis seems like an odd fit. The only move I can think of that may makes sense would be something around Eriksson for Oshie. Similar contracts, both struggling offensively and may be change-of-scenery candidates. Oshie fits what the Bruins are looking for. He's a physical, two-way, right shot top 6 winger. He's having a down year but hits all of the check marks on the Bruins list of qualities they look for in a player. It makes sense from a Bruins standpoint, but I'm not entirely sure what St. Louis' motivation would be to do such a deal. They seem to be in a similar predicament the Bruins are in...they have a surplus on lefty wingers and centers, short on righties. Loui for Oshie doesn't solve that problem. It will help the Blues in their effort to acquire the entire Swedish Olympic team though. 
 
Thinking a bit outside the box and combining the 3-way trade rumor, something that may work is Oshie to Boston, Eberle to St. Louis and then Bruins/St. Louis salary and futures to Edmonton. 

 

[RedOctober3829]

@TheFourthPeriod: Bruins eyeing Blues forward (1st reported by @Real_ESPNLeBrun), in addition to their talks with Oilers & Sabres. BOS wants top-6 RW, ideally

 

[RIFan]

I'd love to see Oshie with Bergeron & Marchand. They would pin down teams in the offensive zone with their puck possession skills. I''m win cshea in that it will take a 3rd team to make it happen. I have to believe that STL's motivation is to clear cap space to extend Tarasenko. B's obviously need to move salary to add him. I think the package starts with one of Loui, Lucic, or Marchand.

 

[Reardon's Beard]

I know the money doesn't work but it gets me goddamn excited.
 
17 - 46 - 74
63 - 37 - 18
21 - 34 - 88
20 - 23 - 11

 

[BigMike]

Oshie for Eriksson might make sense.   Eriksson has been the better player basically every year other than last, and he has been better this year as well.
 
Still Oshie might fit better here, and maybe Eriksson will fit better there.
 
Interesting for what it is worth Dominic on HFboards, suggests the player the Bruins are interested in from Edmonton is Hall (not Eberle)   It make sense,  Hall is the only guy there that makes sense.  It would be a frnachise altering moment for both teams if there was a Lucic ++ for Hall + deal.    Obviously I'd do it based on the ++ and +, as I feel Hall will be the much better player moving forward

 

[cshea]

It Hall's truly available, and I'm not sure I buy it, I'd have to think the Oilers would demand Dougie Hamilton. The Oilers aren't trading their franchise player for a year and a half of Milan Lucic plus some futures. 

 

[Ferm Sheller]

Would you do Loui, Smith, Fraser and Morrow for Hall?

 

[TSC]

That does nothing to address Edmontons weaknesses though.

Any trade for Hall will have to include Subban and a D.

 

[Ferm Sheller]

I know, I am sure Edmonton wouldn't do that. I was just asking if the haul for Seguin is worth trading for Hall. I'm not sure it is.

 

[Reardon's Beard]

Pierre LeBrun: Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli was at the Blues-Blackhawks game on Wednesday. Don Sweeney was at the Blues-Predators game on Thursday. No sense that anything is imminent at this point, but the Bruins continue to look for a forward. They are also still interested in Sabres Chris Stewart.