The Boston Bruins traded for Anaheim Ducks’ left-handed defenseman Hampus Lindholm Saturday, adding a stout 6-foot-4 veteran to the Boston blue line.
Here are four thoughts on Boston’s trade for the 28-year-old.
Bruins swing for the fences
It’s safe to say the Bruins gave up a lot.
Boston gave up defensemen Urho Vaakanainen and John Moore, a 2022 first-round pick, a 2023 second-round pick, and a 2024 second-round pick to get Lindholm, as well as Kodie Curran.
In what seems like a win-now move, the Bruins gave up a boatload of assets to acquire the 28-year-old. The B’s currently sit in a wild card spot, but they’re only two points behind the Toronto Maple Leafs for third in the Atlantic Division.
What do the defense pairings look like?
Charlie McAvoy has risen the ranks in his short career as he’s quickly become one of the league’s top defensemen. McAvoy, a right-handed defenseman, will now likely get paired up with Lindholm, a lefty, on the top defensive pairing.
If that’s the case, Mike Reilly will likely move back to the second pairing, which will force either Matt Grzelcyk or Brandon Carlo back to the third pairing. A number of other scenarios could be created too.
Extra help for young goaltender
Jeremy Swayman took over the starting role for the Bruins this year and has been stout in between the pipes. Swayman currently sits at a .925 save percentage, 2.09 GAA, and a 17-8-3 record.
Though the 23-year-old has played quite well this year, he still has little playoff experience. In his lone playoff appearance, he saved 2-of-3 shots in relief of Tuukka Rask against the Islanders.
With such a small amount of playoff experience, the Bruins appear to be covering all the bases by acquiring a top defenseman with 55 playoff games under his belt.
Well that was quick
Elliotte Friedman also reported that the Bruins were working on extending Lindholm’s contract to keep him in Boston for a few more years. This move could keep Lindholm playing with McAvoy for years to come.
McAvoy recently signed an extension in October, inking him with the Bruins for eight years with an AAV of $9.5 million. That wasn’t exactly before his first game with the team though.
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The Bruins take on the Canadiens Monday at 7:00 p.m. ET, in what will be Lindholm’s first game with Boston where he’ll be thrown into one of the most heated rivalries in sports right away.
