When Don Sweeney essentially waved the white flag on the 2024-25 season February 23rd, it signaled that changes were coming for the Boston Bruins. The season has not been a successful one and Sweeney admitted he had to make some tough decisions leading up to the March 7 trade deadline. Anyone who doubted the GM must have had quite a rude awakening after all was said and done Friday at 3pm. Not only did Don Sweeney make some big trades but he also made some big headlines. It’s safe to say that the Bruins felt a change within the leadership group was necessary.
Let’s take a look at the deals as they occurred.
To Edmonton – Trent Frederic UFA (50% retained)
To Boston – Defenseman Max Wanner, a 2025 second-round draft pick (from St. Louis) and a 2026 fourth-round draft pick
Breakdown; The Bruins were not going to sign Frederic to an extension before he became a Free Agent on July 1st. Since the two sides were unable to agree on a new deal it was best to move him. A prospect, a second and fourth is a solid return for the pending UFA.
To Minnesota – Justin Brazeau UFA
To Boston – Marat Khusnutdinov and Jakub Lauko and a 2026 sixth-round draft pick (originally from Boston)
Breakdown; Another UFA that was not being extended by the Bruins. Boston did well here to reacquire the speedy Lauko, Khusnutdinov and their own 6th round pick in 2026 originally traded to the Wild for Pat Maroon at last year’s deadline. Brazeau was not returning and his lack of foot speed was always a concern. The 23-year-old Khusnutdinov is quite intriguing. He hasn’t put up the numbers like he did in the KHL but his speed and creativity is something the Bruins could certainly use. Three assets for the slow-footed Brazeau is a nice trade for Sweeney.
To Colorado – Charlie Coyle, 1yr 5.25M remaining
To Boston – Casey Mittelstadt, William Zellers and a 2025 second-round draft pick (Carolina)
Breakdown; Now we’re getting interesting. Not only was Coyle a big part of the leadership group in Boston but he had remaining term on his contract. He carries a 5.25M cap hit into his final year next season. The 33-year-old struggled this season after having his best year as a pro in 2024-25. In Casey Mittelstadt the Bruins get a much younger center at 26. Though the Bruins are his third organization now, his offensive skill is what Boston hopes will ignite a stagnant powerplay. William Zellers is an exciting forward prospect currently second in scoring in the USHL. He is off to North Dakota in the NCAA next season. The Bruins now have two second round picks to work with in June. Tough to see Coyle go but the right move for the Bruins and a great return for the Massachusetts native.
To Buffalo – 2026 fourth-round draft pick (originally from Edmonton in the Frederic deal)
To Boston – Henri Jokiharju UFA
Breakdown; The Bruins added 25-year-old Jokiharju after he had requested a trade from the Sabres. The UFA to be has an opportunity for a fresh start in Boston and will have 18 games to prove he is a good fit on the blue line. The fourth rounder from Edmonton is well worth the gamble.
To Florida – Brad Marchand UFA (50% retained)
To Boston – A conditional 2027 second round pick
Breakdown; Shocking. To me, to you, to your aunts and uncles and everyone on your street! As mentioned in this very blog space a couple of weeks ago, my thought was that Marchand and the Bruins would find an extension long before the deadline struck. Welp, that did not happen and now the Bruins legend is headed to Florida to chase his second Stanley Cup. The two sides had been working on an extension for months and had reportedly agreed on a 3yr term but couldn’t bridge the gap on the AAV. The Bruins are clearly wanting to get younger and Marchand very likely wants his last NHL contract to be as substantial as possible. A tough end in Boston for Brad but not everyone is Patrice Bergeron when it comes to negotiating their final contracts in the NHL.
The conditional second-round draft pick will become a 2027 or 2028 first-round draft pick if Florida wins two rounds of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs and Marchand appears in at least 50% of the team’s playoff games. His injury will keep him out of action for another 3-4 weeks according to Sweeney and it no doubt hindered the return from Florida.
To Toronto – Brandon Carlo 2ys/4.1M remaining (15% retained)
To Boston – Fraser Minten, a 2026 first-round draft pick (top five protected), and a 2025 fourth-round draft pick (from Philadelphia)
Breakdown; So that’s why Sweeney acquired Jokiharju! Gotcha. In a less shocking move, the Bruins sent their longest serving defenseman to another Atlantic foe in the Toronto Maple Leafs. Another member of the leadership group out the door and another player who had struggled this season. The return on this deal is excellent. Minten is the ideal Bruin in the making with his character all round hockey sense. The type of guy the Bruins really needed in their prospect pool. Another 1st round pick next season and a fourth this summer will only benefit that group as well.
The Bruins made so many deals this trade deadline that I think it’s fair to say that a lot of us are still processing them. For the most part I think a change was mandatory and really do like the returns on Coyle, Carlo and Frederic. Boston needed an influx of youth via prospects and draft picks and Sweeney did an excellent job of acquiring both. The Marchand deal isn’t sitting well however. I don’t think it’s because he’s in Florida, nor do I think it’s due to the fact the B’s didn’t give him a three-year term at 6M per. I think it is because someone in the organization decided that Marchand’s time in Boston was done. Elliotte Friedman reported that Marchand requested an in person meeting with management in a final attempt to extend his tenure. The Bruins played hardball however and to me it feels like they had made up their minds on the player. We likely won’t ever know the details of the process and I’m just speculating but again, it doesn’t sit well.
The Lookahead
Boston will use the remaining schedule to see what they have in these new acquisitions. Somehow the team is still within striking distance of a playoff spot though maintaining such a pace seems a lot to ask. They host Florida on Tuesday before a trip to the nation’s capital Thursday. They then return home for games versus the Lightning and Sabres on the 15th and 17th.
G-Rant @TheRealG_Rant/Grant Cumming. Bruins fan. Bigger dreams, bigger screens, bigger feelings are planned.
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