The Boston Bruins, whether as buyers or sellers, are no strangers to trade deadline moves.
General manager Don Sweeney has made at least one move ahead of the NHL trade deadline every year since taking over his current role in 2015. In fact, the trade deadline is typically where Sweeney does some of his best work.
He has been a buyer in most of those years, but in 2025, the B’s took a sledgehammer to their roster and dealt veterans such as Brad Marchand, Brandon Carlo, Charlie Coyle, Trent Frederic and others. It was the right move because the B’s went on to finish with the fifth-worst record in the league and miss the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
It’s still early, but with almost a year of results, those 2025 trade deadline deals have provided the Bruins with a lot of quality assets in the form of NHL players, prospects and draft picks.
Some of those assets could potentially be used over the next seven days as Sweeney decides how to approach the March 6 trade deadline.
The Bruins enter Friday in the Eastern Conference’s second wild card playoff spot. They have exceeded most expectations so far. But remaining in that spot, or moving up the standings, could prove difficult.
A huge factor in their better-than-expected record is overachieving offensively. The B’s have scored about 18 more goals (197) than expected (179.6) in all situations, per Natural Stat Trick. No other team has scored more than 12 goals above expected. Regression could be coming for a Bruins team that lacks high-end offensive talent. Therefore, adding a forward would be a meaningful upgrade ahead of the deadline.
The Bruins also have the second-toughest remaining schedule, per Tankathon, which includes 14 of their last 24 games on the road.
Improving the blue line, particularly the right side, would be a smart move. The B’s rank 30th in shots allowed, 26th in scoring chances allowed and 31st in high-danger chances allowed in all situations, per Natural Stat Trick. They have survived this lackluster defense because the goaltending has been strong. Jeremy Swayman ranks No. 4 in goals saved above expected, per MoneyPuck. He has bailed out the Bruins many times this season.
Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images Jeremy Swayman has been one of the Bruins’ best players this season.
Boston reportedly had real interest in acquiring veteran defenseman Rasmus Andersson from the Calgary Flames before he ended up getting dealt to the Vegas Golden Knights in January. Does the pursuit of Andersson tell us that the Bruins wouldn’t be opposed to buying at the trade deadline if the right deal presents itself?
The bottom line is they should be buyers. Investing huge assets for a rental makes no sense for this group, but minor tweaks to the roster absolutely should be explored. The Bruins aren’t one of the top Stanley Cup contenders, but could they win a round in the playoffs and maybe surprise some people? Sure. They have a very good goalie in Swayman. They have the league’s third-best power play. They rank No. 7 in faceoff win percentage. David Pastrnak is one of the most talented offensive players in the world.
And another thing to consider: There is no dominant, clear favorite in the East this season. The two-time defending champion Panthers have taken a step back and might even miss the playoffs. There are good teams in the East, like the Hurricanes and Lightning, among others, but none of them look unbeatable by any means.
If the Bruins decide to be buyers at the trade deadline, let’s look at some of the assets they could use to make roster upgrades.
2026 or 2027 first-round pick
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images The Bruins currently own a total of four first-round picks in the next two drafts.
The Bruins acquired an extra first-round pick in the 2026 and 2027 drafts as part of their trade deadline deals last season. They got the Toronto Maple Leafs’ 2026 first-rounder (top-five protected) in the Brandon Carlo trade, and they got the Florida Panthers’ 2027 first-rounder in the Brad Marchand trade.
The Leafs have struggled more than anticipated this season and could miss the playoffs for the first time since 2016. That means the B’s could have a lottery pick even if they reach the postseason themselves. A top-15 pick has a lot of value, especially when you consider that the 2026 draft class is pretty strong.
There are a couple really impressive defenseman prospects who could go in the No. 6 to No. 15 pick range. The B’s would be wise to bolster their blue line depth in this draft.
The Bruins shouldn’t be trading any first-round picks for rentals. They are not a top-tier contender. It would be extremely reckless to make that kind of move. Sweeney should only trade a first-round pick if he’s getting an impact player in his prime who fits the age timeline of the Bruins’ other franchise pillars (David Pastrnak, Charlie McAvoy, Jeremy Swayman, etc.).
The Bruins have made a first-round pick in back-to-back drafts, and those picks — Dean Letourneau at No. 25 in 2024 and James Hagens at No. 7 in 2025 — look quite promising. The previous time they picked in Round 1 in consecutive drafts was 2016 and 2017. Continuing to build the prospect pool should be a priority.
The only first-rounder that makes sense to dangle on the trade market is the Panthers’ 2027 pick, but only if used to acquire a player with term on his contract beyond this season.
Day 2 draft picks
Over the next four drafts, the Bruins own all of their second-round picks, all but one of their third-round picks (no selection in 2027) and six fourth-round picks. The B’s have three fourth-round picks in 2026 — their own, the Flyers’ pick and the Lightning’s pick.
If Sweeney wants to add a depth forward or a third-pairing defenseman at this trade deadline, these 2026 fourth-round picks would be a good place to start.
With six first-round picks in the next four drafts, the Bruins can afford to let go of some mid-round selections for immediate help.
NHL players and prospects
Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Sam Navarro-Imagn Images Andrew Peeke is in the final year of his contract and could become a UFA this summer.
It can be tough to trade young players who flash exciting potential from time to time. But to get good veteran players — especially if they’re not rentals — you have to give up actual assets.
Mason Lohrei still needs to improve defensively, but his skating and offensive skill set as a 25-year-old defenseman could intrigue other teams. Fabian Lysell has 37 points, including 15 goals, in 46 games for the AHL’s Providence Bruins. The B’s have not given Lysell much of a chance to prove himself at the NHL level. If the Bruins don’t think Lysell is part of the long-term future, then it would make sense to move the 2021 first-round pick.
Matthew Poitras has shown flashes of being a good playmaker at the NHL level. But can he withstand the physical toll of an 82-game NHL schedule? Poitras has value as a center with above-average offensive talent.
Andrew Peeke is 27 years old with an expiring contract. He was a healthy scratch in Thursday’s win over the Blue Jackets. The Bruins have seven — maybe eight — defensemen worthy of ice time right now, and Jonathan Aspirot’s emergence as a key part of the blue line has added even more depth to that group.
If the Bruins could move Peeke as part of a trade that brings in a bottom-six forward with a little offensive punch, that would be worth considering. Even if he could fetch a mid-round pick, that would be a trade worth doing if both sides don’t feel an extension is likely.
