He's big, he's bad, he drives the net, he's tough on the puck and he plays the game with his heart on his sleeve - he's everything a Boston Bruin should be. But is Milan Lucic, one of the NHL's toughest, grittiest players, on the trade block?
The latest rumor, from Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post Dispatch, says that yes, the Bruins and Blues have had and continue to have trade discussions around T.J. Oshie, but that the one name he keeps hearing come up in those talks is none other than Lucic.
Rutherford, answering a fan's question about the Oshie-Bruins trade talk in a recent chat, had this to say about where those trade talks currently lie and Lucic's surprising inclusion:
"As people who read my coverage know, I don't get into rumors often. But when I believe there is something brewing behind the scenes, I don't have a problem touching on it. There has been plenty of speculation involving the Blues and Bruins and believe there is definitely something being discussed.
"Doug Armstrong had a credential waiting for him last night in Minnesota, where the Bruins playing...I've mentioned previously that I am hearing the names of one or two top-six forward being dealt by the Blues. I would not be surprised if one or more of the names you mentioned are involved. As far as what the Blues could get in return, I keep hearing Milan Lucic's name possibly being moved out of Boston."
As Alan Muir of SportsIllustrated.com notes, Lucic still has a year remaining on his current deal, which carries a $6 million cap hit. That would be difficult for the Blues to swallow, unless either the Bruins were to retain salary or target a player other than Oshie.
Nothing is certain of course and the NHL's trade freeze is currently in effect, but it's nonetheless jarring to hear that Milan Lucic may someday don a jersey adorned with something other than the Bruins Black and Gold.
