The Boston Bruins have seen first hand how good Kyle Palmieri can be this season. In fact, he might be the only team that has seen it. He has five goals against the Bruins and no more than one goal against everyone else (and zero goals against the Capitals, Rangers, and Islanders in 16 total games). Palmieri has been a strange player to analyze this season, but he’s also been very unlucky. Some are by his own doing and some are just how the puck has bounced on him.
The Bruins need to make a move to hold off any push by the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers. They are sitting in the fourth spot of the East Division, and they have games at hand on everyone. The stretch run is going to be wild for the Bruins, and they’ll need as much scoring depth as possible.
Palmieri is a great fit for them. Palmieri used to (and might still) live in Boston during the summers, so he is very familiar with the area. In fact, he obviously likes it. This would be a move he’d be very happy with, and he might even sign an extension there.
The Bruins gave Urho Vaakanainen a true shot to make the NHL roster this season, and it never worked. His CF% is below average, his high-danger chance percentage is downright awful (35.9% according to Natural Stat Trick), and Boston really tried to put him in a positive situation to succeed, and he didn’t. In fact, he fell flat on his face.
The Devils could get a former 1st-round pick that needs a reset. He’s someone who could go to Binghamton, play with a young squad, and he can learn to grow. Once the deadline is over, the Devils can give him an extended look in the NHL. It will allow him to sink or swim with a new franchise. The Devils are looking at a 2nd-round pick and a risk prospect for Palmieri. Vaakanainen is a risk, but he’s 22 and a defenseman that might just need more time to grow. The 2nd-round pick is insurance in case Vaakanainen is indeed a bust, but there are plenty of situations when a player just needs another shot.