Video: What the Bruins can expect in return for Loui Eriksson if they decide to trade him?
Joe Haggerty of CSNNE: Loui Eriksson has been a hot topic recently. He’s having a big year, he’s a pending unrestricted free agent, and the trade deadline is fast approaching. Eriksson is on pace for 26 goals and 68 points.
It’s doubtful that Eriksson will be willing to give the Bruins a hometown discount. His agent has a history of going after the highest term and dollar amount for his clients. GM Don Sweeney has already traded two of JP Barry’s clients – Carl Soderberg and Dougie Hamilton. With Eriksson looking for five-six years around $6 million, it’s likely that number will go up to three.
The Bruins are likely hesitant to give a 30-year old with a concussion history that kind of money and term.
GM Sweeney has said that they will look to re-sign Eriksson if it makes sense for the team.
“We’ve been in discussions with Loui, and the first priority will be to try to get him signed,” Sweeney said on the NESN pregame show Thursday night prior to the loss to the Vancouver Canucks. “Obviously he’s a player entering (unrestricted free agency) and he’s trying to gauge what (his value) may be, and we’re trying to do the same. He’s been an important player for us.
“He’s having a very good year, and he helps us each and every night. He’s a valuable player to us, and we’d like to be able to find a deal. If that doesn’t take shape here in the next little while, I obviously have to do due diligence and explore whether or we can continue to improve our team , and keep looking forward. That’s the job that I continue to have.”
Source saying that director of player personnel John Ferguson Jr. was at the Sharks-Wild game on the weekend. The Wild are looking for help up front, and have Jonas Brodin, Marco Scandella and Matt Dumba as players that might fit what the Bruins are looking for.
The Ducks assistant GM Dave Baseggio watched the Bruins-Blue Jackets on the weekend. The Ducks could be willing to move Cam Fowler or Sami Vatanen. Vatanen is a right-handed shot and may interest the Bruins more.
Ferguson has scouted the Predators and Jets over the past few weeks. The Jets have right handed defenseman in Jacob Trouba, who they would have more interest in than Dustin Byfuglien.
As a rental, a player like Eriksson would normally bring in a first round pick and prospect, but Bruins need to do something bigger.
Haggerty mentions a package for Eriksson, a first round pick and Malcolm Subban might interest the Wild. Would a package like that interest the Ducks or Jets?
