Loui Eriksson's immediate NHL future remains undecided. With the 2016 NHL trade deadline fast approaching, the Boston Bruins are facing the difficult decision of whether to trade Eriksson and recoup whatever picks or prospects they can for a player they may not be able to sign, or lock the seemingly rejuvenated Eriksson up long-term. Should they decide to go the former route and seek a trade, it sounds like there won't be a shortage of potential suitors.
Dreger: "I think #Bruins have a tough decision to make. There's lots of trade interest in Loui Eriksson, similar to Andrew Ladd." #NHLJets
— Chris Nichols (@NicholsOnHockey) February 23, 2016
The fact that the interest in Eriksson is similar to that of Ladd, a player many expect to be one of the best, if not the best, available, is significant. Really, it's likely that Eriksson is viewed by many teams as the consolation prize to Ladd, or even a cheaper alternative. Reports have indicated that Ladd could go for as much as a first-round pick and a prospect, and while Eriksson isn't likely to garner that kind of haul, he could see some significant assets headed back Boston GM Don Sweeney's way.
And while an extension is not yet off the table, it sounds like the Bruins may be heading that way whether they want to or not. Eriksson is said to be seeking a long-term deal somewhere around six seasons - what he could fetch on the open market - while the Bruins are apparently thinking three or four years.
Dreger: "I know that the #Bruins feel like Loui Eriksson is a three, four-year extension, and not a five, six-year extension." — Chris Nichols (@NicholsOnHockey) February 23, 2016
Ladd, the Jets captain, is a consistent 50 to 60 point per season player. There was a period early in Eriksson's career when he was posting 70 points per season - he did it each year between 2009-10 and 2011-12 - but injuries have robbed him of some of his effectiveness. He's already got 23 goals and 48 points this season, the best point total he's managed since his 71-point 2011-12, but he's simply not the same caliber of player as Ladd.
With prices for rental players down, it's not certain what kind of return Sweeney could potentially get for Eriksson in trade. But with the Bruins looking more and more like a playoff team, Sweeney's decision isn't so easy.
Had the team fallen out of contention, shipping Eriksson out would be a no-brainer, but the balancing act of strengthening a younger Bruins team with chasing a postseason berth that's extremely unlikely to end with a Stanley Cup hoisting, is a difficult one.
