Adding another franchise D-man like Chychrun into the equation represents an on-ice cheat code for Jim Montgomery and his staff.

Source: https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-bruins/2023/02/13/bruins-jakob-chychrun-trade-pros-cons/

And the Sabres’ addition of Clifton may not be a move that creates reverberations around the league, but he’s a guy who can amp up the compete level for a team, even if they paid a little too much for a third pairing D-man (three years at $3.333 million).

Source: https://www.bostonherald.com/2023/07/12/bruins-beat-making-the-playoffs-will-be-a-challenge-for-boston/

But the club is still missing a legit Top 2 D-man from its arsenal.

Source: https://edmontonjournal.com/sports/hockey/nhl/cult-of-hockey/edmonton-oilers-general-manager-ken-holland-goes-big-game-hunting-9-things

That same report indicated the Blues would send a first-round pick and a defenseman back to the Flyers, but that D-man invoked his no-trade clause.

Source: https://nesn.com/2023/06/how-torey-krug-reportedly-impacting-blues-flyers-trade/

” … You don’t replace one of your top two centers and you don’t replace your top D-man with an individual,” Montgomery told reporters, per team-provided video.

Source: https://nesn.com/2023/12/bruins-rule-out-pavel-zacha-charlie-mcavoy-for-devils-matchup/