With the Bruins in Calgary to face the Flames, the potential for a swap is easy to find

The Boston Bruins arrive in Calgary to face the Flames likely missing not just one, but two key defencemen.

The Flames have multiple defencemen who are pending unrestricted free agents and on the trade market.

Sounds like a potential match, and we’re not talking about the puck dropping on their Thursday night clash at the Saddledome.

The Bruins sit atop the Eastern Conference standings after opening a four-game road trip with a wild-and-crazy 6-5 overtime win over the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday. Boston started the sojourn without Hampus Lindholm, who is second on the team in average ice time at 23:42 per game and out on a week-to-week basis due to injury. Matt Grzelcyk played one 35-second shift in Wednesday’s clash, which ended when he was slashed on the ankle by Ryan McLeod, for which a tripping penalty was called.

The Flames are a three points outside the Western Conference’s second wild-card spot, and boast a bevy of blueliners with whom it would be most prudent to deal by the March 8 deadline. Notably, that list is headed by Boston product Noah Hanifin, but also includes Chris Tanev and even Oliver Kylington, Jordan Oesterle and Dennis Gilbert. The Flames have shown plenty of desire to keep Hanifin in the fold, but as time marches on with no deal, it appears they will deal him away.

What the Bruins have to offer in return, however, is rather limited. Boston has very few blue-chip prospects in the cupboard, and very few draft picks to use as currency. The Bruins are also with very little salary cap space unless Lindholm is placed on the long-term injury list.

Tonight’s game will be an opportunity to spy one of Boston’s most desirable up-and-comers who could fill a hole in Calgary, defenceman Mason Lohrei. Lohrei is coming off a three-assist game in Edmonton. Among Boston’s forwards are right wing Fabian Lysell — who could be the team’s top prospect — as well as a couple of centres also in the minors in John Farinacci and Brett Harrison. Injured centre Matt Poitras would also be of value. As for draft picks, the Bruins are without their trop three 2024 picks, have first- and third-round 2025 selections and a full complement in 2026.

Notably, Flames assistant GM Dave Nonis was reportedly spotted scouting a handful of Bruins games recently, so let the speculation begin the Bruins may leave the Stampede City with an addition scooped up from the Flames.