Ward: Panthers, Wild could be trade partners for Bruins

Aaron Ward was on TSN 1040 Monday morning.

On if the Torey Krug and Reilly Smith signings were the first step of a possible big trade involving the Boston Bruins:

“My first thought when I saw that signing was ‘Okay, they still have the same amount of guys in that locker room.’

“So now with I’m pretty sure a high level of urgency you’re looking at a guy like Bartkowski that will be on the market. Possible suitors? Look at a team like Florida, I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re kicking the tires on it. A team like Minnesota. And it doesn’t just mean it’s one guy. It could be a multitude of guys because... they need more distance from that salary cap in the event someone gets hurt or something drastic happens. I think the fact they brought Krug back and Smith back in makes that a pretty uncomfortable locker room today.

“I think you’ve got to know if you’re Boychuk, whose name has been out there for a very long time – and the sense is, what they’re asking for him they’re not finding and they’re not nearly getting back what they expected – then they’ve got to start looking at other guys.

“I think to give up Boychuk for not a whole heck of a lot would be a mistake. I think he’s a veteran guy that you have to – checks and balances. If you give him away, you have to replace him with something. And is the loss of that salary worth the loss of the experience in the lineup.

“So I think you look at a guy like Bartkowski, I think outside chance you look at a guy like McQuaid. But you get rid of McQuaid – you already got rid of Thornton – that’s a good heap of your fighting and your toughness that’s gone out the door in a short period of time.”

Source: TSN 1040/ Transcript: Nichols on Hockey