This week the Boston Bruins should replicate the effort for Detroit’s Brendan Smith before Wednesday’s 3:00 pm trade deadline.
Both players are comparable in size, skill level and annual cap hit. While the Flames gave up a third-round pick this June and a conditional fifth rounder in 2018 for Stone, the Bruins should up the ante to their first-round pick this June which looks somewhere in the No. 15-20 range with a projected overall weak field in this year’s Entry Draft.
With the Rangers reportedly in hot pursuit of Smith, here’s a look at why a Bruins’ first-round offer is valid – and likely puts them in the driver’s seat with the rebuilding Red Wings.