"Intriguing New Wrinkle" Emerges in Draisaitl to Bruins Rumors

Earlier this month in this space we told you about a report from a former NHLer that there was a connection that could lead to Leon Draisaitl going to the Boston Bruins in free agency after next season if—and it's still a very big IF—the Edmonton Oilers don't sign him to an extension before then.

But, in Boston at least, this is the rumor that won't die, and an "intriguing new wrinkle" has surfaced that could potentially (or maybe not) lend a bit more credence to the Leo-to-Beantown buzz.

According to Jimmy Murphy of Boston Hockey Now, the original rumor, started by Georges Laraque on a Montreal radio station when he stated that the German superstar could be interested in going to Boston to be their new No. 1 center, has now been enhanced by another connection, citing a source who "knows Draisaitl well":

According to this source, Draisaitl works out with Bruins superstar winger David Pastrnak in Prague each offseason, and the two have become ‘friends.’

Add that to the fact that Pastrnak specifically said at exit interviews last week that he'll do all he can to recruit players to come to Boston.

For now, Draisaitl is a little busy, as the Oilers get set to take on the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference Final, and he's been more than doing his part thus far leading all Stanley Cup Playoff scorers with 24 points.

He finished this season with 41 goals and 65 assists for 106 points — his fifth time in the last six years cracking the 100-point barrier. His eight-year, $68 million contract expires after next season.