3 Forwards Already On Red-Hot Bruins' Radar

This year for the Boston Bruins was initially seen as a bridge year after losing so many players and being so dominant in 2022-23. But they have surprised again and started the season 5-0-0. The team has scored over three goals per game and allowed seven goals in five games. The offensive lines haven't been as abysmal as they looked on paper. So what does this mean? I think it means that the Bruins are once again on the road to buying at the trade deadline.

This season their PDO (puck luck) is down by quite a bit from all of last season. This means they are earning their goals, saves, and wins more. This also makes them more dangerous overall than last season if this is the case, especially in the postseason where they aren't then seen as frauds.

While the Bruins' forwards is what will likely lead to a downfall if there is one, the team will very likely be looking to add to that group for their run. With some teams already struggling and revealing who could be sellers at the deadline, here's a look at a few cheap options the Bruins could afford that will help them this season.

When it comes to cheap and versatile, Sean Monahan should be right at the top of the Bruins' list of players to add. He is on a one-year, $1.95 million AAV deal and can play all forward positions. Whether the Bruins need help on the wing or down the middle, he can play anywhere in the lineup and play well. He has started the season with two goals and five points in five games.

This should also be seen as a transition year for the Winnipeg Jets as they try to get more youth into their lineup and set the stage to compete for a Stanley Cup for much of the next seven years. Upcoming UFA Nino Niederreitter could very well be on the move. Though he has a cap hit of $4 million AAV, that could be cut in half and the Bruins would have a solid top to middle-six winger who can play tough, defensive, and produce offensively.

The final option that the San Jose Sharks would be crazy not to trade at this point is Alexander Barabanov. He has been a good and cheap option in the top-six for the Sharks for a couple years and is in the last year of his deal. He might have started slow this season without a point through five games, but the Sharks are going to be very bad this season and there's next to no offense on the team, especially with regular centerman Logan Couture injured and Erik Karlsson/Timo Meier traded off. The Bruins just won't go away, and I bet they don't add anyone huge, but make 1-2 key additions to their forward group that are affordable.