Boston Bruins Rekindled Interest in Kings’ Defenseman

There is an obvious need for a top-six center on the Boston Bruins.

Since 34-year-old Steven Stamkos is the main attraction and most likely sticking in Tampa Bay, the free agent market is a touch light. Since the trade deadline of the previous season, Boston General Manager Don Sweeney has been interested in Vancouver’s Elias Lindholm; but, the 28-year-old’s play has recently declined, raising questions about his market value. It remains to be seen if the Bruins will be able to cover this gap.

On defense, though, there might be another small opening. Shot defenseman Hampus Lindholm has been restricted by the Bruins for a long time, although Mason Lohrei had a strong rookie campaign. Parker Wotherspoon, who re-signed last season for a one-year, $800,000 contract, is projected to be the third pair blueliner. Beyond that, Boston’s left side could use more depth. With Charlie McAvoy, Brandon Carlo, and Andrew Peeke, the right side appears solid.

The Boston Bruins’ interest in Los Angeles Kings defenseman Matt Roy is the talk of the NHL. Recently, Bruins reporter Jimmy Murphy revealed that an NHL source had said that Boston had talked about a deadline trade including goaltender Linus Ullmark for Roy. Boston may show interest in the next unrestricted free agency once more if the Kings decide not to re-sign the 29-year-old Roy.

Roy finished the season with a plus-21 rating, five goals, and 20 assists. In 2015, the seventh-round draft pick produced 152 hits and 197 shot blocks. Roy would have finished fourth on the Bruins with that hit total, behind only McAvoy in terms of blacked shots. Boston would find the physicality intriguing because they project a more physical image along the blue line. In addition, Roy is a skilled penalty taker who blocks shots, which will assist Boston make up for Derek Forbort’s departure as an unrestricted free agent.

Although it is difficult to estimate Roy’s value in a new contract and the Bruins may not appear to need right-shot defense, this seems like a nice fit nevertheless. Whether the Bruins are able to finalize a trade for the Michigan native remains to be seen.