Given that GM Don Sweeney has publicly said the Boston Bruins will look a lot different next season, trade rumors, departures, and roster moves surround a team that wildly disappointed after winning the Presidents’ Trophy. With questions about whether veterans will return and pending UFA trade deadline adds will all bolt, the Bruins need to find teams on the market that can and would be willing to help them make this supposed change.

According to Jimmy Murphy of Boston Hockey Now, more than one source has told him that the Bruins might be linked to the Edmonton Oilers in trade discussions this summer. Namely mentioning both Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Ryan McLeod as potential targets, Murphy isn’t sure either trade is realistic, given both the salary cap complications and Oilers’ willingness to trade either player.

Murphy writes, “When asked Monday, about potential external replacements at center the Boston Bruins could target if Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci retire, an NHL source told Boston Hockey Now that the Oilers ‘might move’ 30-year-old center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and that they’re looking for a defenseman in the return.” That seems odd given that Nugent-Hopkins just posted a 104-point season at a cost of $5.125 million per season, but a tight salary cap and the need for defensive help might force GM Ken Holland into some tough decisions.