The Toronto Maple Leafs need to add a premium third line center to their roster and could look to their rival Boston Bruins for help. The subject of headlines

According to interim coach Joe Sacco, the physical forward is out with an illness. Frederic’s absence leaves the Bruins without one of their most physical players. He has seven goals and seven assists in 47 games. The Bruins are now missing, Charlie McAvoy, Hampus Lindholm, Cole Koepke and Frederic.

The Maple Leafs need a centre and will try to get one before the March 7 NHL trade deadline. Who makes sense? Jonas and CJ weigh in.

The Boston Bruins may be currently in a playoff position, but it's difficult to see where they could land come March. That doesn't mean they'll rule out augmenting the lineup to stay competitive.

The lead lasted all of 55 seconds. The B’s top line got hemmed in its own end for much of the shift and, after it finally pushed it out of the zone, the players got caught in a change. On a Sabre 4-on-3, Matt Poitras got lost out high and Dylan Cozens connected with the wide-open trailer Thompson, who ripped a slapper past Swayman.

Tage Thompson and JJ Peterka had hat tricks, and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 25 saves as Buffalo rolled to a 7-2 win over Boston.

For this matchup against the Sabres, the Bruins' forward group will be getting a boost. This is because forward Cole Koepke will be back in the lineup after missing each of the Bruins' last five games.

With the trade speculation intensifying after the blockbuster Mikko Rantanen deal, here are some thoughts on some possible Bruin trade chips.

The up-and-down Boston Bruins remain squarely on a crowded playoff bubble in the Eastern Conference. Team president Cam Neely has acknowledged that a “retool” could be on the table between now and the March 7 trade deadline.

The Boston Bruins are set to face off against the Colorado Avalanche on Jan. 25. They will look to stay hot after picking up a big 2-0 win against the Ottawa Senators on Jan. 23.

Whatever it is the Leafs think of their team, they can’t overlook the apparent fragility at the top of their lineup. When all the buyers take that inevitable step forward at the deadline, the Leafs need to make a healthy leap.

Thursday, 7 p.m., TD Bank Garden TV: TSN5 Radio: TSN 1200 Odds : Ottawa -260 Bruins +205 WE MEET AGAIN What can the Senators and Bruins do for an encore? To call the Senators’ comeback 6-5 shootout victory over the Bruins to kick off Hockey Day in Canada last Saturday at the Canadian Tire Centre wild would be an understatement.