Bruins Add Depth Up Front At Deadline, Obtain Drew Stafford From Winnipeg For A Conditional 6th Rounder
Looking to add some depth to the team’s corps of forwards for the playoff push and beyond, the Bruins traded a conditional 6th rounder in 2018 to the Winnipeg Jets for RW Drew Stafford. The 6’2″, 214 lb. Wisconsin native had 4-9–13 totals in 40 games with an underperforming Jets squad.
GM Don Sweeney intimated that the Bruins wouldn’t be making any major deadline moves and after 3PM came and went, it appeared as if the Bs were standing pat. Until…
So while it’s nothing Earth-shattering, it’s a nice little move that improves the overall depth up front. Stafford has missed games due to various injuries this season but is certainly capable of potting a goal or two, cracking the 20-goal barrier four times in 10 seasons (career high of 31 in 2010-11). He can also kill penalties and play on the power play if coach Bruce Cassidy is so inclined.
As for the conditions on the pick, it could become a 4th rounder if the Bs win a playoff round and Stafford plays at least 50% of the team’s remaining regular-season and playoff games. If the Bruins make the playoffs and Stafford plays at least half of their regular season games, the pick becomes a 5th rounder.
So at worst, Sweeney surrenders a 4th rounder for a guy who should be a useful player that Cassidy could plug in a bunch of different places. It’s a low-risk move for a guy that might genuinely help the squad out. Anybody bitching about this deal is just bitching for the sake of bitching.