David Pagnotta says the Bruins have poked around on Simon Edvinsson and Dylan Larkin and want to add one or two long-term pieces.
According to Pagnotta, via NHL Rumour Report, this is a team shopping from strength. Marco Sturm's Bruins are 13-4-1 and sit first in the Atlantic Division with 27 points, so nobody in Boston is looking for a repair job.
That is the key part of this rumor. Pagnotta says the Bruins are not after short-term fixes. They want players with term or who are controllable for an extended period of time.
Here is what Pagnotta said on the subject:
Both names are Red Wings. Edvinsson is a 23-year-old defenseman, drafted sixth overall in 2021, who is listed on injured reserve (contract dispute, out indefinitely) and has not played this season. Larkin is a 30-year-old center with 6 points in 10 games.
Boston's interest in each has been building for a while. We covered the Bruins' interest in Simon Edvinsson on October 30, and Chris Johnston's deadline talk on Edvinsson came on Friday.
Larkin's side of it was in the news earlier today too. Boston wondered why his list skipped them, and Frank Seravalli included the Bruins among the non-list teams.
## Would Boston rather add a winger than a center?
Would Boston rather add a winger than a center?
Pagnotta also said last night that if there is a chance to bring in another winger, more so than a center, the Bruins would like to do it. He added that the Larkin situation is different.
That fits a team that does not have an obvious hole down the middle. Boston has scored 68 goals and allowed 41, a +27 differential that is the best argument against a panic move.
It also fits the way Boston is playing. The Bruins beat the Panthers 4-1 on Sunday for their fourth straight win, and they are 8-1-0 at home.
My view: Edvinsson is the better fit on paper, but a defenseman who has not played a game this season and is out indefinitely over a contract dispute is a complicated target. Larkin would help, though a 30-year-old center with a list of preferred teams that does not include Boston is not a clean get.
A winger with term would be the smartest use of Don Sweeney's chips. Nothing here is close to done, and Pagnotta did not suggest otherwise.
Seravalli's note on the Larkin market is the other piece of the puzzle:
The Bruins host the Canadiens on Thursday, and the Red Wings names will keep following them until someone makes a call that sticks.
Quick hits
NEW YORK RANGERSVince Z. has the Rangers eyeing two scratches in Edmonton. Lineup changes usually say plenty about a coach's patience.
COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETSRick Bowness has ruled Conor Garland out for Tuesday night's game against the Panthers, per DMaetzMedia. That is a loss for Columbus up front.
VANCOUVER CANUCKSManny Malhotra confirmed that Filip Chytil and Tom Willander will sit out tonight's game against the Flyers. The Canucks are already short-handed in the lineup.
PHILADELPHIA FLYERSJackie Spiegel reports Joseph Woll should be in net for the Flyers tonight in Vancouver, with Leevi Merilainen expected for the Canucks. Philadelphia has lost three straight.
EDMONTON OILERSRyan Nugent-Hopkins is good to go tonight against the Rangers, per RotoWire, after skating with a full bubble visor.
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