Rumor: Boston to trade Wheeler, Savard to Columbus for 4th overall pick
Jun 17, 2010, 7:47 PM EST
I’d like to preface this post with a quick disclaimer: right now,
this can only be classified as a rumor, although one that certainly
seems to have legs. Proceed with caution.
Pro Hockey Talk has
learned of a possible trade in the works, with the Boston Bruins dealing
Blake Wheeler and Marc Savard to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange
for the fourth overall pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. It’s likely
that the Bruins would also include their 15th overall pick in the deal
as well, leaving Boston with both the second and fourth pick in the
first round.
Talking to another source, PHT was told that the Blue
Jackets are interested in trading away their pick, although as of now
there is nothing concrete in the works as far as a trade goes.
Considering how reliable our source is for the information regarding
this trade proposal, it seems as though there is certainly something
substantial in the works although there is no guarantee this is going
down. It’s also important to note that Boston including that 15th pick isn’t certain, although you wonder if Wheeler and Savard alone are worth the 4th. So you’d think something else would have to come back Boston’s way, although I doubt they’re looking to take on much salary in this trade.
Here is where things get dicey however, if this is in fact the proposed trade. Marc Savard has a full no-trade clause that he would have to waive and Blake Wheeler isn’t under contract for next season — he’s to become a restricted free agent after making $2.8 million last season. Savard would have had to agree to be traded to Columbus, something I haven’t even caught wind of being a possibility. While it’s certainly possibly, that right now is the big sticking point in this deal.
Columbus is also hoping to acquire top line center this summer (hence the rumors about a possible Spezza trade) and while Savard has decent numbers throughout his career I’m not certain he’s the level of center the Blue Jackets are hoping for on the first line. That being said, he would still help fill a void on the Blue Jackets roster and allow them some flexibility to not have to give up a ransom this summer to make either make a trade for center or overpay in free agency.
For Boston, this is a trade that works in freeing up cap space while also giving themselves the ability to instantly infuse the franchise with two outstanding and talented young players, one of which will certainly make an immediate impact. The cap space is important, especially if the Bruins are looking to make a big splash in free agency — Patrick Marleau, anyone?
So, at first glance this trade proposal leaves you shaking your head a bit but it makes sense if you start to break it down. I also think that the Bruins would be giving up a ton for that 4th pick, but if they use that cap space to make a big free agency signing it will all even out.
Once again, at this point this is just a rumor — although one that is from a very reliable source. This isn’t a trade that is finalized, so the parts may change and it may fall apart, but what’s the NHL draft without some crazy trade rumors?
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- StockforLIFE - Jun 20, 2010 at 1:45 AM
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Savvy’s contract is cap friendly in like 3-4 years… he’s still a top cap guy for the next few seasons. The Bruins staggered his contract this way so that he gets his money in his prime… but we still get some useful years out of him when the providence prospects we have come up and need (earn) raises in a few years.
That being said…. is it out of the realm of possibility that the Bruins would talk to him behind closed doors about the following scenario.
The bruins land Hall…. all is good in Bruins land.
The bruins get Seguin when EDM picks hall… now we have a bunch of centers. So during the 3rd pick of the draft, Columbus and the B’s fire off the trade and instead of the B’s having 5 worthy centers… they make a trade that frees up cap space to make a big free agent move to add a high powered winger possible. we got our centers for the next 5 years, and columbus gets Savvy, who might not mind having a Kovy like player in Nash on his line again. Wheeler has been so hot and cold, the bruins take a risk on keeping him, columbus takes a risk on bringing him in either way.
You look at the combos like Crosby Malkin… imagine if the B’s were to pull a 1-2 punch like that out of the same draft. It would morph the franchise.
I say do it.. but only once you know what you are getting with that #2 pick… it’s the only way that it makes sense. No need to trade savard if you are getting hall anyways.
My 2 cents
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- Jay - Jun 20, 2010 at 9:31 AM
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Brandon, Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch said this about your Boston-Columbus rumor: “It’s bunk. A total fabrication. Hasn’t been discussed. Think no more of it.”
http://twitter.com/Aportzline/status/16463843178
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- Patricsk - Jun 20, 2010 at 9:55 AM
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Bruins should trade Milan Lucic and Wheeler instead.
If we get sequin, we will be loaded with centers. Than we should trade either Sobotka or Begin. But none of them make money so, we still need to trade someone makes big salary.
I’d get rid of Lucic, Wheeler and Ryder!
Savard is good.
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- James - Jun 20, 2010 at 9:57 AM
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Trading Savard is a bad idea.
Savard was blamed by coach Julien. Too many men on ice was not only savard’s fault. Julien must go!
Bruins should fire Julien.
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- Chris - Jun 20, 2010 at 10:00 AM
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Julien must go.
Too many men on the ice was his fault not Savard’s.
Julien is doing his dirty trick to Savard now.
he got rid of Kessel last year and he will do the same to Savard.
Julien was blamed by the fans for sending too many men on the ice and he’s upset with Savard because he did not take a responsibility for it. It’s Julien guys! Savard will be traded, the coach does not want him!
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- DerekfromNH - Jun 20, 2010 at 10:59 AM
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I LOVE this trade. If it was to go down, not only would it free up some salary space but it would solidify a homerun draft! With a plethera of young talent under 28 it could put the B’s in position to make a run for the cup for years to come. The B’s definitely need to add a top notch goal scorer, sign Boychuck, and lock up Chara and Bergeron to extentions but this lays the groundwork for that to happen. They still have pieces to play with: Tim Thomas. And some luggage to unload: Wideman, Ryder, and Sturm.
I trust Chiarelli and Neeley.
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- Dude - Jun 20, 2010 at 4:52 PM
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I trust Neely. Chiarelli is clueless. And, just for thought, Bruins signed thornton to a 3 year deal worth 20 mil back in 05. Three months later, they sent him packing.
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- StevieB - Jun 21, 2010 at 1:39 PM
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I like this trade for the B’s. In the salary cap age, its not only the assests that you swap, its the salary space you get. If the B’s can make that deal, get a top forward and D in the draft and sign a top free agent, that’s not a bad deal! e
