The Boston Bruins have quietly emerged as a potential contender in the J.T. Miller trade race, according to NHL insider Frank Seravalli.
Speaking on “Sports on Prime Canada” Thursday, Seravalli noted that while the Bruins haven’t been frequently mentioned in Miller trade talks, their clear “need for a top-tier center” and recent indications from the front office suggest they might be gearing up for a move.
“I haven’t heard much about the Bruins,” Seravalli said. “But their need for a top-end center is well-documented. I believe they’ve been closely monitoring the Miller situation with the Vancouver Canucks. They’re a team lurking in the weeds right now, trying to assess those prices.”
Miller, 31, is under contract for seven years at $56 million, and his name has been the subject of trade rumors for weeks as Vancouver seems set on moving him. A potential trade with the New York Rangers fell apart recently due to draft pick protection issues, opening the door for other teams to join the bidding.
According to TSN‘s Pierre LeBrun, the Canucks are willing to accept draft picks and prospects in return, rather than focusing solely on win-now players.
The Bruins, who improved to 24-20-6 with a win on Thursday, are at a crossroads. Currently sitting third in the Atlantic Division, Boston struggles in areas like scoring, power play, and penalty killing. However, if they believe they can make a playoff push with a few additions, they may target Miller.
As Seravalli pointed out, Bruins president Cam Neely and GM Don Sweeney have hinted at possibly retooling the roster depending on how the season progresses, especially with the trade deadline approaching in March.
“We’ll see where we’re at,” Neely said on Jan. 15. “Right now, we have to consider two options: one where we’re buying, and one where we might be retooling a little bit.”
