As The Bruins gear up for their exhibition game in China, news hit that Boston officially traded defenseman Adam McQuaid to the New York Rangers. The news has hit social media and reactions have pretty much stated the same thing: the Bruins lost a tough player. For Coach Bruce Cassidy, this move felt a little more personal:
“It’s tough to see him go…10 years we’ve been together, going back to Providence. Today was a tough morning. We’ll miss him.”
With the trade, Boston has acquired defenseman Steven Kampfer, a 2019 fourth round pick, and a conditional 2019 seventh round pick. According to NBC’s Joe Haggerty, GM Don Sweeney “wasn’t worried about losing McQuaid’s toughness and fighting ability” as Boston has “team toughness.”
Putting emotion aside, what exactly is Boston getting in losing a player that spent his entire 11 year career in Boston? McQuaid had one year left on his contract ($2.7 million). For the brass, that amount may have been a lot to pay for the 31-year-old player. With the amount of young guys and the depth being built up in Boston, McQuaid may not have had a regular spot on the roster. From a business perceptive, it makes sense to let go of a player like McQuaid, who’s been plagued with health issues over the season. It will also free up some cap space for the Bruins. But for many fans, losing someone like McQuaid is a tough sell.
LONE WOLF
(Photo Credits: Don McPeak-USA Today Sports
Though he was originally drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2005, McQuaid was sent shipped out to Boston. There, he played in Providence for three seasons. He officially joined the varsity team in 2009. He became a solid, reliable blue-liner; McQuaid was there to not only help Rask out, but defend teammates when the need arose. He was also instrumental in helping Boston win the Stanley Cup in 2011. He played throughout the series except for two games, ending with a plus 8 rating and four assists in 23 postseason games. McQuaid was good when the Bruins needed him. He played a career high of 77 games when he was healthy (healthy being the key word). Some quick NHL stats: McQuaid has played 462 games with 13 goals, 53 assists and 652 penalty minutes.
RETURN TO BOSTON
29 year old Kampfer returns to Boston having made his NHL debut with the Bruins during the 2010-2011 season. He played in 38 games for Boston. The Bruins traded Kampfer to the Minnesota Wild in 2012 in exchange for Greg Zanon. Kampfer had also played for the Florida Panthers prior to being shipped to New York. For the Rangers, he netted one goal and two assists. Some quick stats: Kampfer has played appeared in 166 NHL games and 249 in the AHL. At 5’11, 195 lbs., the defenseman will have his work cut out for him. He will likely spend time between Providence and Boston.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Boston is going to miss McQuaid, who was a big presence on the ice. As mentioned beforehand, with this move, Boston is saving some money (Kampfer also comes with a $650k cap hit). Quaider was one of the last tough guys who wasn’t afraid to drop his gloves or take a skate to the neck. And for the guys in the locker room, he was a great teammate. Sad to see you go Quaider and all the best in New York.
Once a Bruin, always a Bruin.
