It’s crunch time in Boston

The Bruins, fresh off of a stale performance against the Minnesota Wild, find themselves in uncharted waters on Causeway Street. Currently sitting two points out of a Wild Card spot, the team’s performance all season long screams that there’s no chance in Hell that this team has a long playoff run in its near future. Where this team currently stands puts Don Sweeney and the rest of the front office in a position to make some critical decisions regarding player transactions and future planning. We’re going to jump in and take a look at some players that the Bruins need to weigh their options on selling when Friday’s deadline comes.

Trent Frederic

The Bruins are grappling with injuries to key players, notably forward Trent Frederic, who is sidelined week-to-week with a lower-body injury sustained against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Frederic, a pending unrestricted free agent (UFA), has recorded 15 points in 57 games this season. His injury complicates potential trade scenarios, as he was considered a trade prospect ahead of the deadline. I strongly believe that he has his preference of landing with the St. Louis Blues, his hometown team and that a marriage there during the offseason if not at the trade deadline is likely. According to the 32 Thoughts Podcast, Elliotte Friedman says that Frederic will likely get moved at the deadline. Right now, unless the market shifts rapidly between now and Friday, I could see the Bruins securing a 2nd round pick in exchange for Trent Frederic on the open market. There seems to be some assumption that Frederic can be a bruising 3C on a playoff contender, but that’s something I have yet to see from Freddy when he is wearing the Black and Gold.

If Oilers are looking for more aggressiveness in forward group, Trent Frederic and Justin Brazeau, both UFA’s in Boston is the ticket but Frederic is out week-to-week with injury. He’s third-liner, and Brazeau probably a fourth, though. Oil needs big and feisty in top 6.

— Jim Matheson (@jimmathesonnhl) March 2, 2025

Justin Brazeau

The 26-year-old winger appears to be “far apart in talks” with the Bruins according to ESPN’s Emily Kaplan while playing without a contract for next season, and sitting on an unrestricted free agency this summer. Brazeau finally cracked the NHL lineup consistently after grinding through the ECHL and AHL. At 6’5” and 220 pounds, Braz brings size and decent hands around the net, which was something that the Bruins were missing in their bottom 6. However, with talks not moving well between Brazeau and the club, and his current contractual status, it wouldn’t surprise me to see him dealt at the deadline for a mid-round draft selection.

Brandon Carlo

Brandon Carlo’s name has been floated in trade rumors for a while now, but does a move actually make sense? The 27-year-old shutdown defenseman has been a mainstay on the Bruins’ blue line, logging big minutes on the penalty kill and in tough defensive matchups. He’s locked in at a reasonable $4.1 million cap hit through 2026-27, which makes him a valuable asset for both the Bruins and potential suitors. That said, if the Bruins are leaning toward a reset, Carlo might be one of their best trade chips. He’s exactly the type of big, rangy, right-shot defenseman that playoff teams covet, and the return could be substantial. Think of a first-round pick or a high-end prospect. If a contending team is desperate for defensive depth, like the Edmonton Oilers or the Dallas Stars, and makes an aggressive offer, the Bruins will have to seriously consider it.

Morgan Geekie

It’d hurt my soul to see the friend of the show shipped out. According to Friedman, there were some attempts to extend Geekie this year but it didn’t happen. Geekie currently has a $2 million AAV deal, the 25-year-old forward has 22 points in 48 games, proving to be a versatile middle-six piece. However, with the Bruins needing to find cap space and roster flexibility, could they consider moving him? He’s cost-controlled, as a pending RFA, with decent offensive upside, making him an intriguing trade chip.

Morgan Geekie on being named in trade rumors:

“I want to be a Bruin. I’d love to be a Bruin as long as I can be. It’s not up to me, and I’m just going to go out there and play. I love every guy in here, everything about the organization.”

— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) February 23, 2025

Charlie Coyle

If Boston wants to swing big at the deadline, Charlie Coyle is one of the most valuable assets they could move. The 31-year-old center has had one of his best offensive seasons, racking up 39 points in 60 games while playing a key two-way role. However, his $5.25 million cap hit through 2026 makes his future with the team uncertain. If the Bruins want to free up cap space and acquire a legitimate top-six center, moving Coyle could be necessary. A team like Colorado, Edmonton, or Carolina could view him as the ideal two-way third-line center for a deep playoff run.

Brad Marchand

If the Bruins were to entertain trading Brad Marchand at the deadline, the best recent comparison would be the Claude Giroux trade in 2022. Like Marchand, Giroux was a long-tenured captain, a top-line winger, and an elite playoff performer who had spent his entire career with one franchise. The Flyers ultimately sent him to the Florida Panthers in a package that looked like this:

The Claude Giroux Trade (March 2022)

To Florida Panthers:

Claude Giroux (50% salary retained)
Connor Bunnaman
German Rubtsov
2024 5th-round pick

To Philadelphia Flyers:

Owen Tippett (young NHL winger)
2024 1st-round pick (top-10 protected)
2023 3rd-round pick

Marchand is in a very similar situation, albeit with a bit more offensive production (55 points in 60 games) and a stronger two-way game. He’s also two years older than Giroux was at the time of his trade, which could impact the return. However, his ability to impact the game in all situations and his playoff pedigree would still make him an elite rental. Teams like Colorado, Edmonton, Carolina, or Florida could be interested in adding a piece like Marchand for a deep playoff push, and the Bruins would likely prioritize a return that includes both future assets and an NHL-ready player. A similar situation could play out with Marchand. If the Bruins move him as a rental and he wins a Cup elsewhere, there’s always a chance he re-signs in Boston this summer. It would be a gamble, but if the front office sees an opportunity to retool while keeping Marchand in the long run, it might not be as unthinkable as it sounds. That said, moving their captain would send a strong message that the Bruins are looking toward the future rather than trying to win now. It would be a franchise-altering decision, one Don Sweeney would have to be 100% sure about before pulling the trigger.

Tune into ‘The 2 Pad Stack’ Trade Deadline Special

For an in-depth analysis of the Bruins’ moves and league-wide trades, don’t miss ‘The 2 Pad Stack’ live show this Friday. The program will break down all the action as teams finalize their rosters for the playoff push. Join the discussion live on YouTube and Twitter to gain insights into how these trades will shape the remainder of the season.