With the potentially two biggest forwards already off the trade market over a month before the deadline. Will the Bruins switch their focus to defense? Defense might not be as flashy as bringing in guys who, light up the scoreboard, but as the old saying goes, defense wins championships!
Calgary already traded away their best forward in Elias Lindholm, but two of their best defensemen are also up for sale as well. Noah Hanifin and Chris Tanev are both top level defensemen for the Flames and both are unrestricted free agents for the Flames this summer. With the amount of games Derek Forbort has missed, the need for blue line depth has become urgent.
Tanev ranks fifth in the league in blocked shots, a top of the team penalty killer and a big reason why the Flames have the 3rd best PK in the league. He would take some of the pressure instantly off of Hampus Lindholm and Charlie McAvoy. Acquiring him could also keep him away from other top competitors like the Leafs, who have been pursuing Tanev as well.
Hanifin has the better long term fit with the club. At only 27 years old, he is still in the prime of his career and is from the Boston area, so this could be a homecoming for him. He has top-4 defensive talent, has 25 points in 49 games and a career high 23:29 of ice time per game this season. This is a player you are willing to give up that first rounder in 2025 for.
