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Report: Defense (maybe Byfuglien?) is on Boston’s shopping list

Dustin Byfuglien

Dustin Byfuglien

AP

Imagine, for a moment, a blueline featuring two super-heavyweights in Zdeno Chara and Dustin Byfuglien.

(You may also imagine the ice cracking when they’re on it at the same time.)

It’s not a situation that is imminent, yet the rumor is at least being batted around regarding the Boston Bruins. First, here’s Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe:

... The Bruins need help on defense with Dennis Seidenberg out for two months following back surgery. Byfuglien, the dynamic right-shot rover, would help. But the Jets are set in goal long term with Eric Comrie and ex-UMass Lowell puckstopper Connor Hellebuyck in the minors under Ondrej Pavelec and Michael Hutchinson. The Jets would want one of the Bruins’ two 2016 first-rounders and help off the roster. Winnipeg has to budget cash for Andrew Ladd (unrestricted), Jacob Trouba (restricted), and Mark Scheifele (restricted), whose deals will expire after this season. As unique as Byfuglien is, the UFA-to-be is 30 and is seeking what could be his final big contract. Byfuglien would be a good addition for the Bruins as well as any other club, but one that would come at a cost.

There may be at least a tiny bit of fire to go with the smoke, as Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports that the Bruins are looking for a blueliner ... but not exclusively Byfuglien.

Byfuglien’s cap hit of $5.2 million is virtually assured to balloon in his next contract, so the Bruins would need to decide if a] they could (or would want to) re-sign Byfuglien or b] he’d be worth a key asset if he only plays with Boston as a “rental.”

Again, it doesn’t sound like GM Don Sweeney has his finger hovering over the trigger to make a deal moments from now.

It’s also worth noting that Byfuglien might not be Boston’s first choice as an upgrade, for a variety of reasons.

Still ... it would be fascinating, wouldn’t it?