The Bruins dropped a game last night to the San Jose Sharks, 7-4, moving their record on their recent road trip to 0-3-0 and their overall record to 14-12-1. They're currently fifth in the Atlantic Division and could be on the lookout for some scoring help.
Per a recent Twitter report from Nick Kypreos of SportsNet, the Bruins may have rekindled trade talks with the Edmonton Oilers aimed at just such an outcome.
"Some strong speculation tonite #Oilers #Bruins revisiting trade talk... told both teams desperate to change things up. Eberle perhaps?"
The Oilers, losers of 11 in a row, and the Bruins, losers of five of their last six, could both use a change, though fans of both teams will, of course, hope that those changes don't just come for the sake of making a move.
Boston, a preseason Stanley Cup contender, is currently 22nd in the league with 2.41 goals per game, according to NHL.com. With a depleted defensive corps, thanks to the injury to captain and human skyscraper, Zdeno Chara, they're relying on a mostly young and untested blueline group to help get them through this early season rough patch until Chara's return.
A move for Eberle, who, per Hockey-Reference.com, has 16 points already this season, a year after managing 65, would make Boston a much more formidable team offensively, and would potentially help offset the lack of shutdown defensive play they've been forced to endure.
Meanwhile, the Oilers and general manager Craig MacTavish, who could use a strong number two center, "covet" Milan Lucic, according to Joe Haggerty of CSNNE.com.
Lucic would potentially bring a gritty toughness to the Edmonton lineup that has been missing for several seasons.
Kypreos also noted that the Bruins and Oilers may not be the only teams involved in a potential trade.
"Also wouldn't surprise me to hear of a 3rd team involved in any major #Bruins trade. Gives more flexibility with player(s) and salary cap."
