Bruins reportedly could pursue Flames centerman to address lack of depth down the middle

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Cooper Godin
July 28, 2023 (11:34 PM)

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The Boston Bruins and Calgary Flames could be a perfect match to make a trade before the start of the 2023-24 season as they look to address their respective needs.

When it comes to the Boston Bruins, the retirement of captain Patrice Bergeron and uncertainty surrounding unrestricted free agent forward David Krejci have left them pretty thin down the middle and there's no question Don Sweeney is working the phones to make an addition.

According to Jimmy Murphy of Boston Hockey Now, the Bruins could potentially be a fit for Flames centerman Elias Lindholm. Earlier this summer, it was revealed that Lindholm is leaning towards not re-signing with the Flames, which would make him an unrestricted free agent in July 2024.

The Calgary Flames are looking to address a need as well, getting a scoring winger. Tyler Toffoli, who put up 34 goals last season, was traded to the New Jersey Devils earlier this summer for Yegor Sharengovich. Murphy went on to add that in a Lindholm trade, it's likely that the Calgary Flames will target Alberta native Jake DeBrusk.

"If the Bruins want Lindholm, likely [Jake] DeBrusk," a source told Murphy. "They don't want any picks, and the Bruins have none. They want a scoring winger that can make up for [Tyler] Toffoli being traded. There's probably more that would be in that trade, but DeBrusk would be the target, I think."

DeBrusk, who's coming off a 27-goal campaign, is certainly a name that the Flames would like to have. He's only 26, turning 27 in October, and is making $4 million in 2023-24 before becoming a UFA next summer. But there's no doubt that Flames GM Craig Conroy would like more than just DeBrusk in a deal with the Bruins for Elias Lindholm, but on paper, both teams seem like ideal trade partners.

Source: Detroit Hockey Now