The Bruins have one target left on the market that will fill a much-needed hole ahead of the deadline.

It is starting to get a little concerning for the Boston Bruins as they have reached 10 consecutive games without a regulation win for the first time since 2010. The holes in the lineup are starting to catch up to them, especially since Hampus Lindholm is now out of the lineup for the foreseeable future.

There are multiple reasons why Noah Hanifin should be the one true trade deadline target for the Bruins this season. If they don't manage to acquire him, it will be very tough to overcome that.

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The Bruins lack another player or two who can put the puck in the back of the net, but they now also lack defense. This defensive problem that needs to be addressed is not only for the short-term, but the hope is that it can be a long-term solution as well.

Boston has a fair bit of cap tied up this season, but along with the cap ceiling going up for next season and that cap being opened up, there is lots of room to work with for the future. The Bruins missed out on Elias Lindholm, a player many saw as someone who would have been a perfect fit in Boston. With the center market pretty weak now that Lindholm and Sean Monahan have been taken off of the board, defense is where the Bruins have to win.

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The Bruins are strong defensively, but that may start to change as certain players are being overplayed or having to step into roles they aren't familiar with. Hanifin is very familiar with being a top-four defender and he has played that role well. Not only would he fill a void left by Hampus Lindholm right now, the Bruins only have three defensemen on the roster who are signed past this season.

Hanifin is a sure-fire target to extend if the Bruins are able to acquire him. If they are able to pull both off, it eases a lot of concerns heading into these playoffs and for the future. Boston is determined to stay competitive and they have the ability to with the right moves.

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