It has been a tumultuous season for the Boston Bruins, who have stayed above .500 after going 8-4 under interim head coach Joe Sacco. Boston is in a playoff spot as we approach the new year and the Bruins will be playing crucial divisional games shortly. As 2025 rings in, Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney must decide whether management should invest in this team with more resources or sell off a couple of pieces in preparation for 2025-26. With the trade deadline over two months away, here is a look at the Bruins’ biggest needs:
Top Line Center
The Bruins’ most important need is the toughest to obtain. The team needed a top-six center, a play driver who could pass and improve power play efficiency, since Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci both retired. In the offseason, Elias Lindholm was signed long-term but has not been able to create the type of offense that is needed for a Stanley Cup contender. Lindholm is a good two-way player who is stout defensively, but those attributes do not fill the Bruins’ greatest need going forward. And just because Boston is yearning for better center play, that does not mean that player is available this season, or even next.
Scoring Winger
There is no question that scoring is an issue with the Bruins. Against playoff-caliber teams, Boston has struggled to keep up offensively. With an elite center out of reach, the Bruins can conceivably find a forward who can score 25-30 goals and play them on the wing. Boston will have to decide if the return on a Trent Frederic trade is worth it. One of the challenges is the salary cap and the fact that the Bruins are up against it. A player or two from the core nucleus of the team would have to be dealt to make the money work for a bonafide scorer. Again, this might be unattainable at the deadline or before, but this might be a more realistic add.
Right-Shot Defender
Boston has a good defensive group that is playing better lately. Jordan Oesterle is a veteran who has helped to solidify the blue line paired with Charlie McAvoy. When Hampus Lindholm returns, the left side of the defense will get a boost. The right side is a sneaky need, though. There is not a lot of depth there. This might actually be the one move the Bruins make come March. Look for them to add a right-shot defender. The only problem is that it is way down the list of needs.
Season 4. Episode 39. The Off Season – Bruins Benders Podcast
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