Bruins Have Preference In Trade Target At Center

Now that Patrice Bergeron has officially retired, the Boston Bruins have to set their sights on upgrading the center position. They have mulled over who they can potentially bring in for a while now and it is really down to two players with one final year on their deals.

While the Bruins have expressed interest in Mark Scheifele of the Winnipeg Jets, they are waiting to see how contract talks go with the Calgary Flames and Elias Lindholm as he is their top target. For the longest time, the Bruins have had a great two-way centerman and Lindholm fills that need on the team more than Scheifele would. Not only is Lindholm a better fit for them, he also has a cap hit of $4.85 million instead of Scheifele's $6.125 million contract. Every bit of money matters to the Bruins this season with Jeremy Swayman and Trent Frederic still without contracts and the team already having to trade Taylor Hall.

While Scheifele is definitely available as the Jets are heading in a different direction after he said he doesn't want to re-sign there, there hasn't been a decision made with Lindholm. Like many of the others on the Flames with contracts ending after next season, he is really biding his time. The feeling is that a decision won't be made before the season starts and the Flames will elect to trade him. As they don't seem to be looking to rebuild, the Bruins might offer up Trent Frederic as a piece in the return.