©  2108 Jordan Long  Sports-Scoop.com | Sports with Attitude The Boston Bruins are looking like a team that will make the playoffs.  They are 28-10-8 for 64 points, 2nd in the Atlantic Division.  The Bruins may want to make a trade so that the offense is even more dangerous.  One player who might be available at the trade deadline is Ottawa Senators' left-winger Mike Hoffman. The Senators at this point look like they will be sellers at the trade deadline.  They are 16 points from the 2nd Wild Card spot, which is occupied by the Pittsburgh Penguins.  The Senators are looking to shed his salary.  Hoffman is owed $5.650 million the next 2 seasons. Hoffman is a fit in Boston.  He is a scorer who can capitalize on the power play as well as perform in full strength situations.  This season Hoffman has 12 goals and 18 assists for a total of 30 points.  On the power play he totaled 4 goals and 8 assists.  Hoffman makes the Boston Bruins an even more dangerous offensive team. 

©  2108 Jordan Long  Sports-Scoop.com | Sports with Attitude The Boston Bruins are halfway through the NHL season, standing 24-10-8 for a total of 56 points, 2nd in the Atlantic Division.  If the playoffs were to begin now, at the midway point of the season, the Bruins would face the Toronto Maple Leafs with Boston having home ice advantage for the 1st round. One of the biggest reasons for the successful season is the team's offense.  Boston can score, averaging 3.19 goals per game, 6th in the NHL.  The Bruins skate the puck into the offensive zone creating scoring opportunities - shots on goal scoring or generating rebound opportunities.  The Bruins are also making teams pay on the man-advantage, scoring on 20.7% of their power play chances. Boston is proving to be a decent defensive hockey team.  They don’t allow teams to spend much time in the defensive zone.   Boston gives up an impressive 2.52 goals per game, 3rd best in the NHL. And, when Boston takes penalties, team

©  2108 Jordan Long  Sports-Scoop.com | Sports with Attitude The Boston Bruins look to be an improved defensive team.  One player would be a good add is Cody Franson, recently cut by the Chicago Blackhawks.  The Bruins may want to put a waiver claim on him. Franson is an offensive defenseman.  He performs on the power play as well as full-strength situations.  On full strength, Franson checks opponents entering the defensive zone.  Those checks limit opponents’ scoring chances.  He uses his body to block shots.  In the offensive zone, Franson shoots from the blue line for goals.  When there is traffic, his teammates will tip the puck into the back of the net resulting in assists for him. On the power play Franson is the quarterback to set up the play.  He has a hard slap-shot and one timer for goals and rebounds.  He has 4 power play assists this season.  In 23 games for the Blackhawks, Franson’s play was poor with 1 goal and 6 assists for a total of 7 points, far from the lev