Despite any effectiveness Mike Reilly may bear in Boston's lineup (especially in a scenario in which Derek Forbort exists by trade), the overages and further cap constraints the Bruins are inflicted with likely force Mike Reilly out of Boston. With the largest projected cap space in the league entering an offseason that may conclude the team's arduous, exhausting rebuild, the Buffalo Sabres taking on a contract such as Mike Reilly's could certainly provide key defensive stability with a strong two-way defender with excellent puck-moving abilities and agility enabling his strong zone entry defense. Reilly also possess an element of versatility, having a role in the top four but also benefiting from weaker competition on the third pair. Boston acquired Reilly back in 2021 for a 2022 third round pick; ultimately, his value has not significantly increased and thus, Buffalo will not likely shed more than what Boston had for Reilly.

In this three way deal, Boston first sends all of their assets to Arizona in a proxy deal, receiving RFA Jack McBain in return. The theme of the Coyotes serving as a proxy in three-way deals such as these continues as their rebuild progresses and accelerates, while receiving yet another first round pick. Arizona and Boston will retain 50 percent to appease the third team in the trade, New Jersey and allowing them to collect a solid middle six forward at a price much more true to his performance value. For the Bruins, Jack McBain provides some developmental opportunity in the AHL, after a wildly inconsistent rookie season in which he played all 82 games for the Arizona Coyotes.

New Jersey will receive Charlie Coyle and a 2024 4th round pick (BOS) from Arizona at 50 percent of his previous contract in this three way deal. At a price of $2,625,000 million, Charlie Coyle's contract would be far more congruent with his performance value and middle six role. Despite a lack of high-end speed, Coyle's puck-handling, puck-protection, and passing roles serve him as a great possession sustaining force with mild chance creation, bolstering New Jersey's bottom six offense while maintaining a similar defensive level and overall team dynamic. His versatility - whether playing at center or wing - will allow the Devils to hypothesize and develop a wider range of forward dynamics. New Jersey could perhaps decline this deal if they are unable to sign both Timo Meier and Jesper Bratt alongside their longer list of pending free agents.

Meanwhile, Boston acquires the RFA rights of the speedy Yegor Sharangovich and a low end 2024 draft pick, completing the three way deal with the Arizona Coyotes. If Boston can sign Yegor Sharangovich, Boston is provided with a great opportunity for enhanced bottom six offensive play driving off of the shot while providing stability for Sharangovich that will enable his speed to a greater degree.

In review, Boston trades to Arizona:

Charlie Coyle (25% retained)
2025 1st Round Pick
2024 4th Round Pick

in exchange for:

Jack McBain

Arizona trades to New Jersey:
Charlie Coyle (25 percent retained)
2024 4th Round Pick

in exchange for:

Future Considerations

New Jersey trades to Boston:

Yegor Sharangovich
2024 5th Round Pick

in exchange for:

2024 6th Round Pick

Future Considerations received from the Arizona Coyotes (alongside all other assets in this deal aside from the 2024 sixth round pick).

Boston will be forced to scourge for any assets in any hypothetical Derek Forbort trade; his cap hit of three million per season far exceeds his impact as a good defensive zone, third pair defender. Chicago is more likely to accept a contract of this sort as a team entirely committed to a difficult era of hockey. However, a rebuttal to this trade proposal lies in the trading strategy of the Blackhawks and their desire for acquiring high draft stock as a deep rebuilding team, rather than sending picks away (especially in the context of receiving a player of Forbort's age, caphit, and caliber in exchange). Overall, a trade such as this would be quite the generous exchange for the Bruins.

Modification #1:
Derek Forbort's performance and financial attractiveness is far lower than originally projected. This modified deal sees a draft pick packaged in exchange for Blackhawks prospect Isaak Phillips, who played limited time with the club last season. Phillips was ranked the number 14 prospect in the Blackhawks system in November by the Chicago Sun Tribune, who touted his ceiling as no higher than "third-pairing."

Modification #2: Forbort is not likely to bring in any significant assets to Boston after further evaluation. Therefore, this updated trade sees Forbort's exits (alongside a fifth-round pick) in exchange for a singular low-end draft pick, effectively serving as a cap dump (primarily) for the Bruins.