Charlie Coyle Traded To The Boston Bruins, Boosting Boston’s Chance Of Advancing In The NHL Playoffs

by Jordan Long

The Minnesota Wild are in the thick of the race for the last Wild Card spot in the Western Conference.  They sit at 60 points, 1 point behind the Colorado Avalanche.  They are starting to slide with a record of 1-6-3 in their last 10 games.  The Wild decided to trade forward Charlie Coyle to the Boston Bruins for forward Ryan Donato and a 5th-round pick in this years’ NHL Draft.

                Coyle is going to help the Boston Bruins offensively.  His speed allows him to out skate the defenseman for the puck.  These are shots on the goaltender for scoring chances which can lead to rebound opportunities. Coyle passes to his teammates when the goaltender is out of position for them to light the lamp.  Coyle has a total of 10 goals and 18 assists for a total of 28 points so far this year.

                Besides his ability to score on full-strength situations, he can also do the same thing on the power play.  He positions himself in front of the goalie to screen him from seeing the puck.  Those can be goals.  From that position he is able to tip the puck past the goaltender for goals.  He has 1 goal and 2 assists on the power play.

                The Bruins needed to make this trade.  Coyle brings 6-years of NHL playoff experience which may help Boston advance in the playoffs. The Bruins were looking for a 3^rd line centerman and Coyle is the fix to that problem.

  According to ESPN, Boston Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney said, ”Charlie brings unique qualities to our team. He is an experienced, productive, two-position player with size, skill and speed. Charlie will provide the necessary depth in all areas of our game as we continue to battle for a playoff position. Charlie is a player our entire organization believes can help us now and moving forward.”

                Boston is most likely going to make the postseason.  They have a record of 36-17-8 for 80 points, 2^nd in the Atlantic Division.  Boston is 4 points ahead of Toronto who sits in 3^rd place.  They are also 11 points ahead of the Montreal Canadians who are the 1^st Wild Card Team in the Eastern Conference.  With this deal, the Bruins hope Coyle can help them advance in the playoffs.