Report: Bruins & Canucks Having Discussions About Big Trade

The Boston Bruins are heading in the wrong direction, losing each of their last five games. This includes a rough 4-0 loss to the Edmonton Oilers at TD Garden last night.

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Things with the Bruins' current roster is clearly not working, and it appears that they are looking to make a serious move.

According to Responsible Gambler, an NHL executive source informed them that the Boston Bruins have been talking to the Vancouver Canucks. This was after the source was asked if the Bruins are expected to be in the mix for Canucks star centers Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller.

With the Bruins desperately needing a true first-line center, acquiring either Canucks star would be massive. However, the Bruins' exact target has not been determined.

"I don't know who for sure, but I know the Bruins want to get deeper and younger up the middle," RG's source said. "That seems like Pettersson, but it's not about who they want; it's about who the Canucks decide to move on from."

Pettersson, 26, would be far more than a rental for the Bruins if acquired. This is because he is locked up until the end of the 2031-32 season, carrying an $11.6 million cap hit. He also has no trade protection this season, but he will have a full no-movement clause starting in 2025-26.

In 34 games this season, Pettersson has 10 goals and 28 points. Overall, it has been a bit of a down year for the 2017 first-round pick, but he undoubtedly has the potential to heat back up. Last season, he had 89 points in 82 games. This was after he set career highs with 39 goals, 63 assists, and 102 points in 2022-23.

RG's source also said this could be the price the Bruins would need to pay to acquire Pettersson:

"I'm thinking [Mason] Lohrei or Matt Poitras on top of a player like [Trent] Frederic or [Pavel] Zacha."

Miller, on the other hand, carries an $8 million cap hit until the end of the 2029-30 season. He also has a full no-movement clause, so he would need to give the green light for any potential move to Boston. The 6-foot-1 forward has eight goals and 29 points in 29 games this season. This is after he had an impressive 37 goals and 103 points in 81 contests this past campaign.

Nevertheless, it will be fascinating to see if the Bruins can make a big move with the Canucks from here, but it's fair to say that they are a team to keep an eye on in the sweepstakes. However, with each player having high cap hits, the Bruins would undoubtedly need to get creative to fit either of them in.

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