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Trade Bait: Brad Boyes

Brad Boyes

Brad Boyes #24 of the New York Islanders skates against the Washington Capitals at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on March 9, 2013 in Uniondale, New York. The Islanders defeated the Capitals 5-2. (March 8, 2013 - Source: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images North America)

The NHL’s trade deadline is Wednesday, April 3. Following is a player that may be moved. For more “Trade Bait,” click here.

If there’s one thing the New York Islanders do exceeding well, it’s polishing diamonds in the rough. Brad Boyes can be considered one such example after his disappointing campaign with the Buffalo Sabres last season.

He inked a one-year, $1 million deal with the Islanders and was given a chance to play on the top line with John Tavares and Matt Moulson. Boyes has rewarded them with eight goals and 27 points in 32 games this season.

Some might argue that it’s playing on such an enviable line that has sparked 30-year-old forward’s comeback, but by the same logic, his struggles last season could be blamed on the fact the Sabres gave him just 13:10 minutes of ice time per game. Either way, Boyes has put up star-caliber numbers in the past, so if the Islanders start shopping him, they’re likely to find plenty of interested parties.

One such team might be the Boston Bruins, ESPN speculated. Boyes previously spent two seasons with the Bruins and has experience playing on a line with Patrice Bergeron.

Bruins is reportedly looking for a top-six forward and might bulk at the Calgary Flames’ asking price for Jarome Iginla.

At the same time, it looks like the Islanders’ first choice would be to keep Boyes. They’re still very much in the playoff race and are attempting to re-sign him, according to Newsday’s Arthur Staple.

Still, trading Boyes might be Plan B if the Islanders don’t feel good about their chances of re-signing him.