It was only a matter of time before the Boston Bruins joined the Eastern Conference arms race approaching the 2020 trade deadline. Their Atlantic Division-rival Tampa Bay Lightning and the top Metropolitan Division contenders, the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals, had already upgraded this month with deals for Blake Coleman, Jason Zucker and Brenden Dillon, respectively. So Bruins GM Don Sweeney was at bat.
It was no secret the Bruins, after losing 2019 rental Marcus Johansson in free agency, needed to shore up their depth scoring. The No. 1 line of Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak has become downright legendary, but coach Bruce Cassidy has cycled through right winger after right winger trying to find a fit alongside left winger Jake DeBrusk and center David Krejci on line 2.