The Boston Bruins have gone from setting league records to launching a full rebuild, with the 2025 trade deadline on March 8 marking a clear shift in that direction.
In the 2022-23 season, the Bruins shattered records — winning 65 games and claiming the President’s trophy with 135 points — only to lose the first playoff round to the Florida Panthers. The next season, they earned 109 points and made the second round of the playoffs, but lacked scoring depth after losing key pieces like Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci, Tyler Bertuzzi and Taylor Hall.
This season, the struggles are obvious. Sitting at a 30-28-8 record with 68 points in 66 games played, defensive vulnerabilities and an inconsistent offense have made winning tough. It was obvious General Manager Don Sweeney needed to make some moves, but no one expected this level of turnover.
Most Surprising Move: Brad Marchand to Florida Panthers
No trade this deadline hit harder than the news that Marchand was heading to Florida. After 16 seasons, it seemed unthinkable that Marchand’s time with the Bruins would end this way.
Marchand wasn’t just a key player; he embodied the team’s identity. Starting as a scrappy agitator, he evolved into an elite wing player and became a leader, playing a crucial role in the Bruins’ 2011 Stanley Cup championship victory. As the recent captain, he was the heart of the team, driving them both on and off the ice.
His departure marks the end of an era. In return, the Bruins received a 2027 conditional second-round pick that could become a first-rounder if the Panthers make a deep playoff run and Marchand plays in at least half their games. A first-round pick would’ve softened the blow, but with Marchand injured and four weeks left in the season, that’s looking unlikely.
Losing Marchand is more than just a roster shakeup; it’s the loss of a player we grew up watching. While the Bruins and Marchand reportedly couldn’t reach an agreement ahead of the deadline, this trade stings deeply. Considering Marchand’s legacy and current form, this is tough to see, especially if this ends up as his last National Hockey League (NHL) season.
Biggest Loss: Charlie Coyle to the Colorado Avalanche
While losing Marchand is significant, Coyle’s move to Colorado is perhaps the most impactful from a team-building perspective. A local guy from Weymouth and one of few remaining links to the Bruins gritty identity, Coyle has been a key two-way player. However, with injuries and a shifting role on the roster, it was clear the Bruins couldn’t keep him around in the current situation.
The return for Coyle — forward Casey Mittelstadt, forward William Zellers and a 2025 second-round pick — is solid. Mittelstadt should help immediately, and Zellers is a promising prospect. Coyle’s loss is tough, but yielding forward and a second-round pick helps provide the center depth the Bruins desperately need.
Other Key Moves:
The Bruins also made several other trades that significantly reshaped their roster.
- Defenseman Brandon Carlo was moved to the Toronto Maple Leafs for a 2026 first-round pick, a 2025 fourth-round pick and forward Fraser Minten. This makes salary cap space, and adds a high draft pick to Boston and a young forward with potential. On the other hand, this trade leaves the Bruins even more short-handed on the blue line, a concern for a team that’s already struggled defensively this season.
- Defenseman Henri Jokiharju was acquired from the Buffalo Sabres for a 2026 fourth-round pick, strengthening Boston’s defense for the rebuild. For those sad about Carlo’s loss, Jokiharju looks to be a similarly low-scoring defenseman, with three goals every season since 2020-21, an unfortunate dip from his career-high of four the season prior.
- Forwards Trent Frederic and Max Jones were sent to the Edmonton Oilers for defenseman Max Wanner, a 2025 second-round pick and a 2026 fourth-round pick. Frederic hit a career-high 35 goals last season, but has just eight this year. With a slow start, recent injury and pending free agency, trading him makes sense. Jones spent more time in the American Hockey League and had little impact on the NHL roster. These moves bolster Boston’s defensive prospects and add more valuable draft capital.
- Forward Justin Brazeau was traded to the Minnesota Wild for forward Marat Khusnutdinov, forward Jakub Lauko and a 2026 sixth-round pick, further enhancing the team’s depth and future prospects.
What I’d Do Differently:
Given how the deadline played out, the one thing I would have done differently is to try to have gotten more value for Marchand. A second-round pick for a player of his caliber, even with the injury concerns, feels underwhelming. What’s even more frustrating is that it’s a pick for a future year, which means it’s not even guaranteed to be valuable. If the Bruins had moved him earlier or found another market for him, they might have secured a higher return. There are plenty of playoff-bound teams this year that haven’t been in contention for a while and need Marchand’s experience and production — teams that also could have offered better picks or an additional player.
In hindsight, a first-round pick or a prospect with more immediate potential could have better served Boston’s rebuild. But with the deadline fast approaching and no resolution with Marchand, Sweeney was stuck with what he could get.
What’s Next?
It’s a new era for the Bruins, both on and off the ice. The aging core had to be addressed, but these moves are shocking. Handing Sweeney all these picks is risky, especially given his spotty drafting history. If he botches this rebuild, it could set the team back years. Just look at 2015, when he had three first-round picks and still missed on multiple future All-Stars. 8-year-old me could’ve done better.
That said, the overall return from these trades is promising — especially with the early draft picks that could help restock the team’s talent pool. However, it’s crucial Sweeney gets these picks right. The Bruins have showed some hope after the deadline with a 4-0 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning and a 3-2 win against the Florida Panthers, a small but positive sign as they adjust to their new lineup. With roughly $28 million in cap space, the Bruins have a crucial offseason ahead. The moves have been made, the picks secured, and the cap space is available. Now, it’s up to the front office to make it count.
