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Report: Keith Yandle “would love” to play for Bruins

Phoenix Coyotes v Los Angeles Kings - Game Four

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 20: Jason LaBarbera #1 and Keith Yandle #3 of the Phoenix Coyotes celebrate the Coyotes 2-0 victory against the Los Angeles Kings in Game Four of the Western Conference Final during the 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Staples Center on May 20, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Jeff Gross

CSNNE.com’s Danny Picard cites a “source close to” Keith Yandle who said the blueliner responded to “growing trade speculation” by saying that he’d “love” to play for the Boston Bruins.

There are a couple reasons that the deal might make some sense.

Yandle’s a Boston native and a high-scoring defenseman whose point-producing skills have already made him a two-time All-Star at just 26.

Aside from Zdeno Chara’s flamethrower of a slap shot, the Bruins’ defense hasn’t been a steady source of offense - even during their Cup run.

Picard speculates that the Bruins’ new go-to trade rumor target David Krejci could theoretically be part of a deal to nab Yandle.

To acquire a player of Yandle’s caliber, the Coyotes would likely want a talented young player in return from the Bruins. David Krejci, who signed a three-year $15.75 million deal that kicks in this season, carries a cap hit equal to Yandle’s ($5.25 million) which might make the B’s center a logical chip to move.

Krejci topped all postseason scorers during the Bruins’ 2011 Stanley Cup run, but many believe that Tyler Seguin and Patrice Bergeron make the playmaking pivot expendable.

Meanwhile, Oliver Ekman-Larsson’s tantalizing promise might make Yandle’s skills a bit redundant, especially on a team with a tight budget like the Coyotes.

Does this deal make sense for both sides?