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The Boston Bruins could land a solid player in a proposed 1-for-1 blockbuster, contingent on salary retention to make math work.
The Boston Bruins could be enticed to make a major splash this season in hopes of altering the balance of power in the Eastern Conference.
One trade that could move the needle involves Calgary Flames forward Jonathan Huberdeau. Adding Huberdeau gives the Bruins the top-six scorer it has been looking for. This proposed move also focuses on relieving the Flames of a troublesome contract while removing an excess piece from the Bruins’ roster.
Here’s a look at the proposed move:
Bruins get:
Jonathan Huberdeau, F
Flames get:
Casey Mittelstadt, F
This deal would be contingent on the Flames retaining 50% of Huberdeau’s salary. It’s worth pointing out that Huberdeau is entering the third year of his eight-year $84 million deal signed in 2023. While the retention would keep half of Huberdeau’s salary on the Flames’ books for another five years, half is better than the full $10.5 million cap hit.
As for the Bruins’ end of the deal, sending Mittelstadt over to Calgary offsets Huberdeau’s $5.25 million cap after the retention. Under these circumstances, the Flames get a center to boost their depth while reducing the team’s salary commitment.
Overall, this proposed trade has the potential to solve issues on both sides. If both players work out in their new homes, this trade could be one of the smartest 1-for-1 swaps in a long time.
Huberdeau Makes Sense for Bruins
Jonathan Huberdeau was famously traded for Matthew Tkachuk during the 2022 offseason. He was coming off a 115-point season with the Florida Panthers and was looking like the real deal. Unfortunately, the Huberdeau has not come close to replicating those numbers.
However, that didn’t stop the Flames from extending him on a massive deal. Three years into the deal, the Flames have reportedly regretted the move. But Huberdeau is still a productive player. The problem is that his cap hit is not commensurate with his production.
Huberdeau makes sense for the Bruins at a much lower cap hit. If that’s the case, Boston could get a productive player without breaking the bank for him. The club could land a solid top-six winger with 30-goal potential.
Huberdeau Comes with Risk for Bruins
The biggest risk in acquiring Huberdeau is that the wheels completely fall off. He’s 32 and potentially entering a significant decline in his career. If that’s the case, the Bruins could be stuck with a rapidly depreciating asset.
That’s why the Bruins cannot afford to take on Huberdeau’s full cap hit. While some may see half of his cap hit as a major issue, $5 million or so isn’t as bad a $10.5 million. As long as Huberdeau remains a 50 to 60-point player for the foreseeable future, the Bruins could get their money’s worth.
Perhaps the biggest influence would be a change of scenery. Getting away from the negative press in Calgary could give Huberdeau a chance to push the reset button. That situation could spur Huberdeau to turn things around. Huberdeau might have a couple of 30-goal seasons left in him in the right setting. The Bruins could provide that opportunity.
Nestor Quixtan Seasoned NHL analyst focused on covering all 32 teams with news, analysis, and insights. Originally from Toronto, Canada, Nestor’s singular experiences and background have enabled him to bring a different take on the sports world as a whole. More about Nestor Quixtan
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