Controversial candidate emerges as Patrice Bergeron’s replacement in Boston!

I want to go up front and say “there’s no replacing” Patrice Bergeron. I believe everyone knows that. However, the Boston Bruins still need to figure some way to add power up front as they approach their first season without Bergeron since 2002.

The Bruins are tight on money and the players out there to pluck aren’t Bergeron’s caliber, though they would definitely help Boston, especially if veteran forward David Krejci retires as well.

Amongst the forwards that have been mentioned in speculations to take Bergeron’s spot in Boston, there is Calgary Flames’ Elias Lindholm, Winnipeg Jets’ Mark Scheifele and San Jose Sharks’ Logan Couture. However, one candidate has recently emerged as an option, though he isn’t the Bruins’ fanbase’s favorite.

According to Josh Wegman of The Score, Washington Capitals” Evgeny Kuznetsov could be targeted by the Bruins. The Russian forward reported requested a trade out of Washington. While his deal includes a 10-team no-trade list, Boston could be a destination he seeks.

“The Caps may also want instant help in return to remain competitive, so perhaps a deal involving Frederic - who’s spent his NHL career at wing despite being a natural center - could make sense if the Caps believe Frederic can slot in as a third-line center.

“The Bruins would be betting on Kuznetsov’s offensive upside. The 31-year-old is, after all, just one year removed from a 78-point campaign.”

Bruins’ fans might be cold to the idea of bringing Kuznetsov on board seeing how he’s messed up in the past, but his agent Sergei Fedotov recently explained how Kuznetsov has been struggling on the ice because to play his best, he needs to be having fun and he wasn’t able to do so under now-former head coach Peter Laviolette.

Kuznetsov is still under contract for another two years, but he will need to put up better numbers than he did this season. He had a team worst plus-minus of minus-26 and put up his fewest points in a full 82-game season in eight years.

I don’t doubt that a change of scenery might be best for Kuznetsov, though I am not sure he could handle the workload to be seen as Bergeron’s replacement in Boston…

Recommended articles:

• Patrice Bergeron gets hate following his retirement
• Patrice Bergeron gets emotional in retirement press conference
• Bruins linked to Jets and Flames in trade talks
• A 45 minute video of Patrice Bergeron's next-level defensive skills
• Longtime teammates Krejci and Marchand get emotional in farewell message to Bergeron

Recommended articles:

• Brutal update emerges on Evgeny Kuznetsov
• Alex Ovechkin getting played by the Capitals?!
• Evgeny Kuznetsov demands a trade out of Washington.
• Evgeny Kuznetsov suspended by NHL Player Safety
• NHL Player Safety comes down on Jamie Benn and Evgeny Kuznetsov.