How NHL experts graded Bruins’ latest move

With a full roster and a deal already on the books, the Bruins seemed already done with trade deadline moves this season.

But when Taylor Hall and Nick Foligno each went down with injuries during the team’s four-game road trip, Don Sweeney didn’t risk going into the postseason with uncertain forward depth, sending two draft picks including a protected first-rounder from 2024 , to Detroit for Todd Bertuzzi.

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Here’s how NHL experts rated the move:

ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski gave Sweeney a B+ and wrote:

“Bertuzzi has had a hell of a season health-wise, with injuries to both hands and a lower body injury. He is limited to 29 games and has four goals and 10 assists. That’s a far cry from his pace from last season (30 goals and 32 assists in 68 games), but the Bruins are betting Bertuzzi will be better on the track than his 6.5% shooting average.

He’s not a perfect player. Bertuzzi has a reputation as a grinder, but he’s not a thug. His 5-on-5 defense has been spotty and under backup this season. But there’s no question he can be an asset to the Bruins, especially at his level.”

The Athletic had several authors giving grades:

Dom Luszczyszyn gave the Bruins an A and wrote:

“The rich get richer. The already unstoppable Bruins decided their perfect squad wasn’t perfect enough. That a better than 65 percent chance of beating every team in a playoff series wasn’t enough. They needed more.

Enter Tyler Bertuzzi, a bonafide top 6 forward who adds to Boston’s already amazing roster of top 6 forwards. The Bruins made what is arguably the deepest forward group in the league even deeper. How does a third line with Taylor Hall and Tyler Bertuzzi sound for the rest of the league? Because it sounds terribly unfair to me. … The biggest plus for Boston is that Bertuzzi isn’t a power play dealer – he usually does his damage at five-on-five. Last season, he averaged 2.18 points per 60 while having a tremendously positive impact on expected and actual goals. This year, despite the modest production, he was even better at playing offensively. He’s supposed to give the Bruins about 1.7 wins – like they need it.”

Corey Pronman gave Boston a B+ and wrote:

“The Bruins are the best team in the NHL and rightfully should do whatever it takes to maximize their chances of winning a Stanley Cup. That’s such a move. Bertuzzi is an excellent player. He is a very capable and extremely competitive wing who is difficult to play against. His playstyle will be great in the playoffs and fits very well with how the Bruins want to play. It will be interesting to see how the Bruins make the money work. With no salary going the other way, Taylor Hall will likely go on LTIR. If he could return for the playoffs, that would be quite a lineup.

Sean Gentille gave the Bruins an A and wrote:

“They have perhaps the greatest regular-season team in modern history – and they’re not satisfied. With such a remarkable team and an expiration date approaching, all you can ask of a GM is that they respect the gift and act accordingly. We saw that from Don Sweeney. He crews a working battleship. What I like most about this move, I think, is that it’s both reactionary and absolutely right. Since trading for Dmitry Orlov and Garnet Hathaway (an A, by the way), Sweeney has watched the Maple Leafs overhaul their defense, the Rangers added Patrick Kane and the Lightning ominously conceded salary space. So he acted. How about a 30 goal scorer? It works? everything ok Bravo.”