Should Bruins or Maple Leafs Take a Chance on Nolan Patrick?

After Boston’s Patrice Bergeron retired, and with David Krejci maybe next, the Bruins could use an experienced center.

A media outlet suggested former Philadelphia Flyers forward Nolan Patrick. Yeah, that Nolan Patrick.

Patrick was the Philadelphia Flyers’ No. 2 overall pick in 2017. Because of injuries, Patrick missed all of last season, the second full season he has missed.

But he’s only 24 years old. He had enough talent to secure such a prestigious draft spot, so there was something there. Patrick missed all of last season as his Vegas Golden Knights won the Stanley Cup.

Patrick is an unrestricted free agent. Vegas did not offer Patrick a contract this summer. It’s not known if Patrick plans to retire or even wants to try to play again.

Sportskeeda’s Cole Shelton has Patrick first on his list of possible Bruins acquisitions. Shelton wrote: “Nolan Patrick entered the NHL with a ton of expectations as he was drafted second overall in 2017 by the Philadelphia Flyers.

“Yet, due to injuries, Patrick has struggled to stay healthy and his NHL career has been limited. In four years he has played just 222 games but has just 77 points.

“Patrick has yet to be signed and would come cheap and could be a nice rebound player for Boston to target and take a flier on him.”

Go, Leafs, Go?

On TheLeafsNation.com, Patrick was suggested as a “reclamation project the Maple Leafs can swing for the fences with.”

Jon Stetiger wrote: “I was a huge fan of him on the [Brandon] Wheat Kings and while injuries have certainly taken a toll on him and slowed his career if not completely ended it, I wonder if a slow and steady rehabilitation in the Leafs organization might get him back on track.

“If the Leafs go multi-year on a contract with Nolan Patrick at a high but completely buriable AAV [$1.15 million] he could have some time to recover and resume his career.

“It’s also very likely that this is the unfortunate end of Nolan Patrick’s career, but if there is a hope he can come back, taking a chance on a 6-2 center who was selected 2nd overall isn’t the worst thing you can do.”

As we’ve written, Patrick’s story is sad. Injuries derailed his career and left his future uncertain. For the Flyers, they got virtually nothing from a second overall pick. It’s truly a lose-lose situation all around.