In his analysis, Joe Haggerty highlights the evolving dynamics of the Boston Bruins and argues against the need to overpay for a trade for Elias Lindholm. He points out the team's strong center lineup, led by Charlie Coyle, questioning the value of exchanging a first-round pick and a top prospect for Lindholm.
Throughout the regular season, the Bruins have witnessed significant changes. Initially, after the retirements of Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci, there was a general expectation that Boston would aggressively pursue a top center like Lindholm, Scheifele, or Nugent-Hopkins. However, Scheifele's extended commitment to the Winnipeg Jets and their decision to build around him and Connor Hellebuyck altered this perspective, especially with Scheifele's impressive performance this season.
For the Bruins, the emergence of Charlie Coyle as a number one center has been a key factor. Coyle's offensive dominance, his synergy with Brad Marchand, and consistent play have been crucial, particularly in a season where he has outperformed both Lindholm and Scheifele in goals and points. Additionally, the rise of young talents like Matt Poitras, the development of Trent Frederic, and Pavel Zacha's steady play have significantly reduced Boston's need for another top-six center. Morgan Geekie's contributions have further bolstered the center position.
While there's a need for a faceoff specialist, given the team's struggles in crucial moments, Coyle has become a reliable option, winning over 50% of his faceoffs. Zacha has also been effective in this area. Despite the lower faceoff success rates of Geekie, Poitras, Frederic, and Jesper Boqvist, Haggerty suggests the team might benefit more from trading for an experienced veteran center who excels in faceoffs, rather than a high-profile player like Lindholm. This approach aligns more closely with the Bruins' current roster needs and season performance.
