The Boston Bruins will be looking to improve their club in order to go through the postseason. The NHL trade deadline is March 8. Will buyers be the Bruins? Are the Bruins going to sell? There is disagreement on certain issues. Nonetheless, Boston has a chance to go farther than their first-round loss the previous spring as they enter Saturday’s schedule tied for top place in the Eastern Conference. The goal of Team President Cam Neely and General Manager Don Sweeney is to add some “snarl” to the lineup—possibly even a top-six forward—but at what cost? Will players from the existing core be included in that cost?
A couple of these options would make sense if the Bruins decide to make certain players on their current roster expendable. The following list of current Bruins players could be traded next week:
DeBrusk Jake
The 27-year-old winger’s contract is coming to an end, and he and the organisation have recently been “far apart” in their discussions. DeBrusk scored 52 goals in total throughout the course of the previous two seasons, but in 2023–24, he managed just 13 goals. The native of Edmonton has demonstrated a stronger 200-foot game and solid penalty-killing skills, but is that good enough to earn $6 million annually over the course of a multiyear contract? DeBrusk is more likely to be traded at the deadline if the team does not believe otherwise. The Oilers from his hometown or any other team in the Western Conference could be interested. DeBrusk might be the Bruins’ greatest trade asset.
Linus Ullmark
With just one year remaining on his $5 million contract, Ullmark may not be needed much longer given the rise of Jeremy Swayman. The value of the Vezina winner from last year is undoubtedly at its peak, and Ullmark may be available in a trade with goalkeeper prospect Brandon Bussi. With the remaining time on the deal, any team hoping to win a Stanley Cup and needing a seasoned goalkeeper might be intrigued. Will the Bruins decide to let Swayman handle the situation? Unless the offer is simply too good to refuse at this time, definitely not.
Forbort Derek and Grzelcyk Matt
Parker Wotherspoon’s rise and rookie defenseman Mason Lohrei’s growth suggest that one or both of these blue-liners may be transferred. They are all about to become unrestricted free agents and are not likely to come back to Boston. Even though Forbort was a strength on the penalty kill, his value has decreased since his recent injury comeback. Grzelcyk might be a liability if given a lot of playing time because of his postseason struggles. Herein lies the role of the snarl. Since neither player uses much of it, the Bruins may decide to give them up for a late-round pick or in a larger deal. Probably one of them will leave. Most likely Grzelcyk.
Jakub Lauko
Lauko is a fourth-liner who occasionally plays with a lot of intensity and is a classic undersized grinder. This is where the Bruins may upgrade with a more formidable forward, potentially rendering Lauko unnecessary. By the deadline, expect the 2018 draft pick to be a part of a deal.
Boston has to make additions in order to fight for the Stanley Cup. Will they take chances and can they accomplish it with little resources? It wasn’t previously ingrained in their DNA. Will they have the willpower to act now?
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