Bruins Rumors: Boston Looking to Add First-Line Center

The Boston Bruins are once again a wagon this season, even though they lost Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci to retirement before the season. The B's are led by their goaltending and team game and continue to sit atop the Eastern Conference with a 24-8-9 record, good for 57 points.

Hockey insider Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff sees the Bruins having an objective to try and land a number-one center before the March 8 trade deadline. There's been a lot of talk about either Tomas Hertl from San Jose or Elias Lindholm from Calgary, but so far no deal appears imminent. Here's what Seravalli had to say about the Bruins plans:

Charlie Coyle has been excellent. Morgan Geekie and Matthew Poitras have punched above their weight class. But even for a team with a couple elite wingers, there is a big disparity between the spoked-B and their playoff counterparts in strength down the middle. Elias Lindholm sure would be nice. One problem: Boston is limited in assets to trade to acquire that piece, without first, second or third-round picks this year, or a second in 2025.

Boston has a slew of young talent and a few top draft picks who haven't exactly panned out, so there are trade options, just not draft picks this season. Their 2025 first rounder could be in play, along with the likes of John Beecher, and potentially Jake DeBrusk. Brandon Carlo could be one defender moved, but it's likely they'll try and keep the roster in tact and move out future considerations in any big move.

Lindholm or Hertl, two names expected to be linked as talks progress between now and March 8.

Elias Lindholm got two minutes for roughing, two minutes for elbowing, and 5 minutes for fighting on this play.

📽️: Sportsnet | NHL pic.twitter.com/o8yGKGejqd
— Robert Munnich (@RingOfFireCGY) January 6, 2024