Should Bruins' recent scoring depth uptick change trade deadline plans?

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Scoring depth has been a huge weakness for the Boston Bruins in many of their recent Stanley Cup Playoff runs, and with the NHL trade deadline less than two weeks away, general manager Don Sweeney doesn't have much time left to make roster upgrades.

That said, given the offensive resurgence from many of the team's bottom-six forwards in recent weeks, how much of a priority should adding help up front be for Sweeney?

One of the reasons why scoring depth has been a need for the Bruins is because players such as Craig Smith, Trent Frederic, Jake DeBrusk, Erik Haula and others weren't producing enough.

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The Bruins recently completed a six-game road trip -- their longest of the season -- and 16 different players tallied at least one point during that stretch.

Here's a look at the improved scoring from notable role players over the last eight games:

  • Jake DeBrusk: Seven goals, two assists
  • Craig Smith: Five goals, four assists
  • Erik Haula: Three goals, five assists
  • Trent Frederic: One goal, three assists

DeBrusk's situation is the most interesting one. DeBrusk's agent confirmed to TSN last week that his client still wants to be traded. It's been over three months since DeBrusk's trade request became public. DeBrusk has finally found his game since moving up to the top line alongside Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron last month. He even scored his first career hat trick against the Kings on the last road trip. DeBrusk looks more engaged and aggressive all over the ice with the Bergeron-Marchand duo. 

But how reliable is DeBrusk's recent form? He has been hugely inconsistent in recent years, going long stretches without scoring, including three separate goal droughts of seven or more consecutive games this season. How motivated will he be after the trade deadline if his request isn't granted? 

Smith's breakout is the one most likely to sustain over a consistent period. He endured a rough start to the season statistically, and the upper body injury he battled early on didn't help, either. This is a five-time 20-goal scorer and someone who has driven puck possession at a high rate for many years. If healthy, and that appears to be the case right now, Smith will give the Bruins valuable scoring depth at right wing.

B's head coach Bruce Cassidy has struck gold using a new-look third line with Frederic at left wing, Charlie Coyle at center and Smith at right wing. This line has outscored opponents 6-1 in 119:40 of 5-on-5 ice time since Jan. 1. Boston also has a .982 save percentage with this line on the ice during 5-on-5 play over that span.

Haula's emergence could have the most impact on Boston's trade deadline plans up front. Upgrading at second-line center is a short and long term priority for the B's. David Krejci's departure last offseason left a hole that still hasn't been filled, and there aren't any prospects in the system ready to step into a top-six role anytime soon.

We listed No. 2 center the Bruins' top trade deadline need a month ago. But can the Bruins afford to break up the Hall-Haula-Pastrnak second line when its firing on all cylinders? 

Haula is a good fit for Hall and Pastrnak because he plays with speed and takes care of the defensive work required of this line. He doesn't need to light up the stat sheet offensively for this group to thrive. He does all the little things and lets these two elite wingers challenge opponents with their high-end skill.

Haula has been good enough at both ends of the ice that Boston probably doesn't need to spend multiple premium assets to acquire a top-six center such as Claude Giroux or Tomas Hertl -- both whom are on expiring contracts.

Based on the last few weeks, the Bruins should prioritize another scoring winger and a top-four defenseman at the trade deadline.

Bruins should target these players if they want to go all-in at trade deadline

Frederic has played well at third-line left wing, but you cannot rely on him to be a consistent offensive producer. He tallied six points in his first 34 games of the season. He's never developed into the kind of offensive player you'd expect of a first-round pick. If the Bruins can sell high on Frederic and upgrade that position via trade, it would be a good move. 

DeBrusk, as noted above, cannot be relied upon to be a consistent scorer. Nick Foligno has played on the wing most of the season with just two goals in 40 games. Goal scoring on the wing must be addressed before the March 21 deadline. Oliver Bjorkstrand of the Blue Jackets, Phil Kessel of the Coyotes and Rickard Rakell of the Ducks are good wing targets.

An upgrade on the blue line would also improve the team's scoring depth. Charlie McAvoy and Matt Grzelcyk, who often play on the same pairing, are the only B's defensemen with more than 14 points. A blockbuster move for Coyotes star Jakob Chychrun would add plenty of offensive skill to this blue line. If the Bruins want a more steady, defensive presence for the blue line, players such as Calvin de Haan of the Blackhawks, Carsen Soucy of the Kraken and Ben Chiarot of the Canadiens are good targets.

The Bruins don't need major reinforcements with Cassidy finding a good mix on the second and third lines. This team is no longer hugely reliant on Marchand and Bergeron to drive the majority of the scoring. But for the Bruins to compete with and eliminate juggernauts such as the Lightning, Panthers, Hurricanes and Avalanche in the playoffs, they do need more depth and talent on the wing and the blue line.

Upgrading these two areas would give the Bruins a strong chance to make another deep postseason run in what could be Bergeron's final season (his contract is expiring).

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