If you’re a Boston Bruins fan, this season hasn’t been what you’d hoped. With Boston’s playoff hopes dwindling as teams around them continue to gain points in the standings, it may be the first deadline for the Bruins to become sellers in a very long time.
In recent interviews with media, Bruins President of Hockey Operations Cam Neely and General Manager Don Sweeney mentioned that the team is preparing for two scenarios, adding at the deadline and re-tooling on the fly. Neely isn’t the only person mentioning the Bruins potential sell-off. Elliotte Friedman of the 32 Thoughts Podcast mentioned the Bruins and Marchand on a recent episode.
“If Boston takes on water, I’m really going to be curious to see where this goes,” Friedman said. “There was a time in this year, where I didn’t think there was a chance that Marchand was going to be out. And now, I think it’s not as certain, depending on what happens here.”
In 55 games this season, Marchand has put up 19 goals and 23 assists, along with a -8 plus/minus. He’s second in points on the team and in the bottom four of +/-. He remains the Bruins captain, one of their top producers, and one of the desired players on their roster.
Why Trade Brad Marchand?
Undoubtedly, this Bruins season isn’t what anyone anticipated inside the organization. Boston had hoped the offseason additions of Nikita Zadorov and Elias Lindholm would be enough to keep this team atop the NHL standings. That hasn’t been a reality.
Since the 2015 re-tool when Don Sweeney took over the general manager position from Peter Chiarelli, Boston has spent assets and held onto their own expiring contracts. This has led them to have one of the worst, if not the worst, prospect pools in the NHL, and not enough talent is being developed to replace holes in the lineup.
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Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci, Zdeno Chara, Tuukka Rask, etc. Heck, even Jake DeBrusk was a player that the Bruins held onto until their contracts expired. Doing this is expected in pursuit of a Stanley Cup, but it comes at a cost, a cost that is coming due for Boston.
With the Bruins out of the playoff picture and teams around them having games in hand, it’s unlikely that Boston will make serious contention for the Stanley Cup. The time has come…the Bruins need to move expiring contracts for prospects and picks.
Boston needs to re-invent itself, and continuing to hold onto long-term Bruins or fan favorites won’t help this team compete. Marchand’s value could help Boston get the assets needed to rebuild a core around McAvoy, Swayman, and Pastrnak.
Bottom line: You can’t let everyone walk.
Projecting Marchand’s Suitors
While you look at Brad Marchand on a struggling Bruins team, he still has significant value across the league. One of the determining factors in a return is if Boston would retain salary or take salary back in a trade. Marchand’s AAV is $6m, and if the Bruins are willing to retain it, it will expand the number of teams interested and sweeten a return.
Colorado Avalanche
One of the consistent names around Marchand and trade rumors is the Colorado Avalanche. This move makes sense with Brad Marchand and Nathan Mackinnon having a relationship off the ice. The Avalanche are looking for more offensive production after moving Mikko Rantanen to the Carolina Hurricanes, and they have cap space and assets to spend.
With Marchand, the Avalanche could easily plug him into their top six and get a superb two-way player who plays in all positions. With Marchand’s wealth of postseason experience, he’d be an ideal addition.
Proposed Deal:
To COL: Brad Marchand
To BOS: Casey Mittelstadt, 2026 1st Rd Pick, mid-tier prospect
Colorado hasn’t been satisfied with how Casey Mittelstadt has fit in with their group, so moving on from his contract would greatly benefit Avalanche’s long-term plans. While a player, first-round pick, and another prospect may seem steep, the Avalanche are offloading years on the Mittelstadt contract in the trade.
For Boston, adding a young center with talent who can replace Trent Frederic or Charlie Coyle will make things easier on Boston down the middle. Boston’s ownership wants to see playoff gates; adding a player along with the pick and prospect keeps playoff hopes closer.
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Minnesota Wild
Minnesota is reported to have reservations about signing Marco Rossi to a large extension this offseason, leading to his name hitting the Trade Bait Boards. While the cap may complicate this trade, Marchand’s contract is very manageable, and the Bruins could retain 50% of the contract to make things work or add a contract from Minnesota to make the money work. The real question here is: does the increase in salary cap projections change Minnesota’s mind at all?
Proposed Deal:
To MIN: Brad Marchand 50% Retained
To BOS: Marco Rossi
From Boston’s perspective, Rossi isn’t signed, but they will have plenty of cap space this offseason to accommodate that contract. On the Marchand front, you eventually have to make decisions for the future. While I think Don Sweeney will be hesitant to make any major deals on this roster, he will have no choice if the Bruins keep losing.
Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton is first in the Pacific Division and looking to make significant additions for a Stanley Cup push. After the Oilers first line, the wing depth starts to drop significantly. Brad Marchand could solve many problems for the Oilers, adding a top-tier penalty killer and a dynamic offensive talent. Having Marchand able to play with Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl would be a significant advantage for the Oilers.
Proposed Deal:
To EDM: Brad Marchand 50% Retained
To BOS: Jeff Skinner, Matthew Savoie, 2026 1st Rd Pick
There’s no doubt the Jeff Skinner signing hasn’t worked out like Edmonton expected, and he’s eating up $3m against the cap. There have been reports that Edmonton would like to move on from Skinner, but he has a full no-movement clause. If Skinner were to waive his NMC, this deal would make perfect sense for both teams involved. Edmonton adds a legitimate top-six talent to the club that they hoped Skinner could fulfill while offloading the contract.
Matthew Savoie is one of the Oilers best prospects and, most importantly, a center, which the Bruins need more of. Savoie and a first-round pick would serve the Bruins well for eating 50% of Marchand’s contract and taking Skinner back in the deal. The beauty of acquiring Skinner is that you may be able to flip him in another trade to a team Edmonton wouldn’t have been willing to do business with. It’s not a sure bet, but if Don Sweeney is savvy, he could use cap space and retention slots to his advantage.
Marchand’s Legacy is the Bruins Future
While trading Marchand may be a bittersweet subject, the departure could breathe new life into an organization that is seemingly floundering this season. With Marchand’s comments of helping the team as long as he is here, it feels like he is already open to the possibility of a new zip code.
For a Bruins fan, the hope is losing Marchand will result in Don Sweeney acquiring pivotal pieces for the future of the organization.
Season 4. Episode 20. Sackless Goof – Bruins Benders Podcast
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