Bruins Found Lucic Lite After Summer of Flames NHL Trade Rumours

There was a time this summer when some thought Calgary Flames winger Milan Lucic might be destined to re-join his former club.

The Boston Bruins have been missing the muck Lucic brought in his glory days in black and yellow. Looking for salary-cap relief to make some big moves, the Flames might have considered the NHL trade route with Lucic. The 34-year-old veteran’s cap figure is high but actual salary is low, making him fairly marketable.

For the financial numbers, but also the leadership and on-ice presence he still provides.

Well, it looks like the Bruins found the sort of guy they’ve been hoping for in 25-year-old A.J. Greer.

And it just so happens that the guy Greer wants mimic is none other than the Calgary Flames tough guy.

“I grew up watching Milan Lucic. I try to model my game after him, for sure,” Greer told Boston Hockey Now after a two-goal performance in preseason action this week. “Energy, physical, can put the puck in the net and will stick up for your teammates anytime. That’s who I want to be.”

BHN writer Joe Haggerty said in his article that Lucic was a folk hero in Boston and that Greer is a long way from Lucic. The Bruins have a long list of players he considered Lucic-lite — like Matt Beleskey, David Backes and both Ritchie brothers (Brett and Nick. Oddly enough, Brett Ritchie just rejoined the Calgary Flames on another one-year deal).

The Flames, meanwhile, found another solution to their salary-cap problems. They sent Sean Monahan to Montreal along with a first-round pick to clear out more than $6 million. That allowed them to keep the rugged fourth-line winger and bring in Nazem Kadri.

He isn’t the goal-scoring menace that defined his days with the Bruins, but he’s become an important piece of the core and concept in Calgary.

And if imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, Lucic can feel good about his Boston legacy.

Photo: Sammi Silber, Washington Hockey Now