Elliotte Friedman on 32 Thoughts about the Bruins: I know they’re still looking for a scoring winger; I’m not sure if Mattias Maccelli‘s gonna be their guy still or they look for someone else.
It’s no secret the Bruins kicked the tires on Maccelli over the summer. Based on the market set by Friday’s transactions, it’s reasonable to expect Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving to seek a second-round pick and a B-level prospect, or perhaps a package built around a second- and third-rounder. The real question is whether Don Sweeney is prepared to meet that price. And given the recent history between the two front offices, it’s fair to wonder whether Treliving has much appetite for another deal with Boston this quickly.
Friedman again on The Fan Hockey Show speaking about the Buffalo Sabres: Initially, I thought they would let things play out over time. My opinion on this is starting to change, I do think we could see some things sooner rather than later.
For the better part of 15 years, the Sabres haven’t offered their fans much in the way of results. What they have delivered—consistently—is speculation. It’s become increasingly clear that Buffalo needs a sweeping culture reset, and any meaningful change has to begin at the very top of the organization.
Marco D’Amico via X says: Sources indicate that Phil Danault has asked for a trade in LA. His camp hopes a deal gets done sooner than later; prior to the Trade Freeze. Kings are willing to wait it out, looking for a player-for-player trade. MTL, NJD and CAR are some of the teams to kicked tires there.
Agent Allan Walsh responded via X: You never bothered to check with me. Shameful attention seeking reporting. #NotAnInsider.
And Montreal it is!
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: The Penguins aren’t sellers, but they are trying to move defencemen Connor Clifton and Matt Dumba.
There’s no doubt some Bruins fans would welcome a reunion with Clifton, but that ship sailed long ago. As for Dumba, fans may be interest in the name, but the Bruins passed on the opportunity to claim him for free when he cleared waivers last week. Having declined that option, it’s difficult to envision them turning around and giving up assets to acquire him now.
Frank Seravalli on Insider Notebook: As well as the Sharks have played and competed, the Sharks are way more likely to move on from some pieces as we get closer to the deadline. Mario Ferraro really stands out as one that will likely be on the move.
I’m not convinced the Bruins would have much interest here. On paper, his age and style check the right boxes, but another left‑shot defenseman is the last thing this roster needs right now.
Pierre LeBrun on Insider Trading regarding Alex Tuch: Jarmo Kekalainen absolutely wants to get those talks back on track. My understanding is the Buffalo Sabres weren’t willing to go to double digits on the AAV. We’ll see if Kekalainen can get this guy signed.
The Sabres reportedly balked at taking Tuch’s number into double digits, despite the likelihood that another team would have paid it. And even before Kevyn Adams was dismissed, Jarmo Kekalainen was already embedded in the organization’s decision‑making group. So which direction is he actually aligned with? It’s yet another example of the mixed signals coming out of Buffalo, making it increasingly difficult to determine who’s truly steering the franchise.
LeBrun via X also said: The Sabres have reached out to the Blue Jackets for permission to speak with AGM Josh Flynn. Permission was granted. Obviously makes sense as Sabres GM Jarmo Kekalainen had Flynn in Columbus.
Dave Pagnotta of The Fourth Period said on X: Hearing Marc Bergevin is leaving the LA Kings and joining the front office team of Buffalo Sabres – I believe as Associate GM.
Both have been confirmed this morning. Things in Buffalo are changing.
More from LeBrun regarding the Vancouver Canucks: This is still gonna need some work but what I am hearing is that the Calgary Flames suddenly got more calls on Rasmus Andersson after the Quinn Hughes trade.
This is how the NHL marketplace usually operates: one move triggers a wave of teams reassessing their own needs. With that in mind, Andersson becomes the next logical name on the defensemen board. But the Flames are in a position of strength, and there’s little incentive to accelerate anything unless a rival steps up with a clear overpayment.
Howard Berger of Between the Posts suggests that the Leafs will be bringing in Pete DeBoer to replace Craig Berube as soon as next week.
I’ll admit, I don’t think Berube is the man to lead the Leafs behind the bench. But when does it become a player or roster issue?
This and That
Morgan Geekie became the third Bruins player since 1972 to score 25 goals before Christmas, joining Phil Esposito and David Pastrnak.
Georgii Merkulov delivered a statement performance Saturday night, recording a hat trick and eclipsing the 200‑point milestone in his AHL career. His second goal of the evening pushed him past the benchmark, pulling him within nine points of Andy Hilbert for the all‑time Providence Bruins scoring lead. Merkulov already sits atop the franchise’s career assists list with 120.
The Bruins added to their blue‑line depth this week, claiming defenseman Vladislav Kolyachonok off waivers from the Dallas Stars. The 2019 OHL draft class was widely regarded as the weakest since the NHL shifted to a seven‑round format. Kolyachonok still emerged on my list as one of its top defenders and a top‑ten talent overall, but again, a weak draft class. His arrival gives Boston a steady, mobile option as they reinforce organizational depth on the back end.
Charlie McAvoy turns 28 today. (Sunday, December 21).
As of Sunday morning, the Boston Bruins’ power play is operating at a 26.0 percent clip, ranking fifth in the NHL. It’s a dramatic turnaround from last season, when the unit finished 29th at just 15.2 percent. Much of the credit goes to assistant coach Steve Spott, whose structure and adjustments have transformed the group into a well‑oiled, highly efficient operation when executed as designed.
Marco Sturm’s decision to turn to Andrew Peeke in Saturday’s shootout loss to the Vancouver Canucks has sparked plenty of debate. While Peeke has reportedly performed well in shootout reps during practice, the choice inevitably raises questions about leaving this season’s second‑leading goal scorer on the bench in his favor.
Post game, Sturm had this to say: “We practice all the time. He has one move and he did it real well. Not just once, a few times. I thought he was going to do it again and he didn’t. So that’s why I picked him, and so that’s on me.”
Learn and move on.
Dom - Hockey 