The Boston Bruins and new GM Don Sweeney decided to open the 2015 NHL Draft festivities with a bang, trading two top-tier players Sweeney only recently dubbed "foundational," in the waning hours leading up to the first-round.
First to go was young offensive defenseman Dougie Hamilton. The 22-year-old former first-round pick was sent to the Calgary Flames in exchange for three picks in the looming draft.
"Boston Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney announced today, June 26, that the team has acquired the 15th, 45th and 52nd overall picks in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft from the Calgary Flames in exchange for Dougie Hamilton," reads the Bruins release announcing the move.
"Hamilton played for three seasons with Boston from 2012 to 2015, appearing in 178 NHL games, registering 22 goals and 61 assists for 83 points with a combined plus-23 rating. In 19 postseason games with Boston, Hamilton posted 2-8=10 totals. The 6'5", 212-pound native of Toronto, ON was drafted by Boston in the first round (9th overall) of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft."
It had to be difficult for the Bruins brass and fans of the team to see Hamilton go, but the hard truth of the matter is that cap issues created by former GM Peter Chiarelli left Sweeney in something of a tough spot. Difficult decisions had to be made on the current construction of his roster and Hamilton, as talented as he is, was the first to the feel the brunt of that.
An offer sheet somewhere in the range of $5 million to $6.7 million likely wasn't feasible for the Bruins, who had about $11 million in cap space at the time of the move. Considering the Bruins would have received a first, second and third as compensation for Hamilton had they not matched an offer sheet, the team actually did well to flip him while they were still in control of the situation.
Of course, once they dealt a Lucic and his $6 million cap hit, their dominating power forward who struggled through down season in 2014-15, they created a bit of cap space.
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman was the first to report Lucic's move to the Kings. It was revealed shortly thereafter that the full compensation of the deal for Boston makes the Hamilton trade much more palatable.
"In return, the Bruins will receive goaltender Martin Jones as well as the No. 13 pick in Friday night's draft," reports CBSSports.com. "The Bruins will also get prospect Colin Miller, a 22-year-old defenseman."
Kings Insider Jon Rosen reports that the Bruins will cover about $2.75 million of Lucic's salary going forward. With the deal, the Bruins now own picks No. 13, 14 and 15 in the first-round later tonight.
Jones was a nice get as a young, but very talented backup, though it'll be interesting how the Boston goalie situation shakes out with Tuukka Rask cemented as the starter, Malcolm Subban waiting impatiently in the wings and Jones reportedly itching for a shot at a full-time load somewhere.
