Boston Bruins Could Give Up A Package For Vladislav Gavrikov – Fans Are flabbergasted by it

Blue Jackets' Vladislav Gavrikov (Image: Blue Jackets)

The Boston Bruins are showing interest in Columbus Blue Jackets‘ Vladislav Gavrikov – but fans think they are giving way too much and they might have a point.

The original six organization has the “framework” of a trade in place, which includes a first and third-round pick, reports David Pagnotta.

However, the Bruins still need to move some salary to complete the deal and have been shopping forward Craig Smith.

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This deadline, the team will only have around $1 million in cap space, according to CapFriendly.

Gavrikov’s cap hit is $2.8 million.

Along with Smith, the Bruins could try to move Nick Foligno to give them enough space to acquire the defensemen.

But given his production, some question why the Bruins are willing to give so much.

This year, Gavrikov has registered 10 points in 52 games.

Hockey analytics data website Andy & Rono values Gavrikov as a third-pair defenseman – and nothing more than that on a cup contender.

And some fans had some interesting reactions.

One Twitter user said “The fact that gavrikov is gonna be this years chiarot is hilarious. By what metric, standard or advanced, is he worth anywhere near a 1st when he should be a 6th or 7th dman.”

Another asked: “Why would Columbus not take Smith back for a 1st and 3rd? Holy overpay Batman.”

And one more fan took it to another level: “I don’t know why everyone thinks Gavrikov is going to help their team lol.”

While Gavrikov will bring some value to the table, it’s tough to fathom paying that kind of price for someone that is going to play more of a depth role.

That said, it should boost the playoff hopes of the Bruins, which are sitting at the top of the Atlantic Division with an astonishing 43 wins already.

But first, the Bruins will have to create cap space.

And Pagnotta said that the Blue Jackets won’t wait forever for that to happen, as another team could come in with a better offer.

Anthony Russo