After weeks of discussions leading up to the deadline, the Boston Bruins did not trade Loui Eriksson, and also failed to sign him to a contract extension prior to the 3:00pm NHL Trade Deadline.
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“[It’s] always going to be about Loui’s a good player, he’s having a great season, he’s very important for our success up to date”, Sweeney said before the Bruins faced the Tampa Bay Lightning at TD Garden. If another team that I’ve had several discussions with felt that was equal to that side of it and the deal was the right fit, then that’s something we’d explore. He’s on pace to reach his best season statistics since he was a Dallas Star, and the Boston Bruins failed to trade him to a team that was looking to make a move to help bolster playoff chances.
It is believed the Bruins have offered a four-year contract in the $5 million to $5.5 million per year range, while Eriksson is seeking five to six years at around $6 million. To me, as the question was asked earlier, he’s an impactful player on our hockey club.
But that doesn’t mean that Sweeney has ruled out what has seemingly become the most viable option, and that’s moving Eriksson out for a major return (think something comparable to the Andrew Ladd trade between the Winnipeg Jets and defending Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks last Friday).
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Michael Russo of the Star Tribune says the Wild has talked to Boston about Loui Ericksson, along with Edmonton about forwards Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Nail Yakupov. “I would have continuing negotiations with him”. Yet through it all, he’s done nothing but produce, tying for second on the team in both goals (23) and points (48) while being the only player to appear in each of Boston’s first 63 games. “To me, it would be a big loss for our hockey club for sure”.
