The Boston Bruins are looking for serious help up front, and head coach Marco Sturm might find his perfect match in Philadelphia Flyers winger Owen Tippett.

According to Bruins reporter Conor Ryan, the explosive power forward could be the ideal fit in Boston.

St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas has been the primary target dominating recent rumors. But his acquisition cost is simply astronomical for an organization already squeezed against the salary cap.

Thomas carries a massive $8.125 million cap hit through the end of the decade. Boston cannot afford to absorb that financial burden without gutting their current defensive structure entirely.

Enter Tippett. The 27-year-old winger is locked in on a long-term deal at a much more manageable $6.2 million per season. Bargain.

With 19 goals already banked this year, he provides immediate offensive output for a lineup searching for consistency. His transition game instantly improves the top six.

He has had a bit of a sluggish stretch, but his underlying metrics remain very good. He fires the puck from everywhere on the ice. Unpredictable.

A Grittier Trade Target

Sturm expects his forwards to crash the net, finish their checks, and win the dirty battles. Tippett executes that heavy style flawlessly on a demanding homestand.

Boston desperately needs a winger who will not be held scoreless when the playoff hockey gets tight. The offensive output in the slot is exactly what they lack right now.

Over his NHL career, Tippett has evolved from a raw prospect into a legitimate goal-scoring threat. The physical maturation and confidence are glaringly obvious every time he touches the puck.

He logged an impressive 18:45 of ATOI over his last five games for Philadelphia. The Flyers rely heavily on his shot generation to drive their entire second line.

But Philadelphia is actively retooling their roster. Moving a lucrative long-term contract right now could free up massive flexibility for their own rebuilding plans moving forward.

The Bruins sit just nine points out of the division lead with 24 games remaining on the schedule. General Manager Don Sweeney is officially on the clock.

Landing Tippett secures Boston an impact player under 30 with term remaining. Solid execution on the wings and a blistering release make him the smartest available target.

The blue line is solidified, but the forward group absolutely needs this heavy spark to survive the gauntlet. Bringing Tippett to the TD Garden changes everything.