NHL Trade Deadline Grades: Boston Bruins

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Boston Bruins’ Brad Marchand plays during an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Philadelphia. (Matt Slocum/AP)

The Boston Bruins finally accepted reality at the trade deadline: It’s time for a reset. After years of pushing their chips in to stay competitive, the Bruins were sellers for the first time in a decade—and boy, did they sell.

Gone are team captain Brad Marchand, longtime center Charlie Coyle, and defenseman Brandon Carlo. In all, the Bruins made seven trades, completely reshaping their roster and, in some cases, their identity. Whether this rapid-fire dismantling pays off remains to be seen, but general manager Don Sweeney and team president Cam Neely certainly committed to the cause. This deadline saw the final member of the Bruins’ 2011 Championship winning team (Marchand) depart, truly marking the end of an era and the start of another.

What the Bruins Gave Up:

  • Brad Marchand (to Florida for a conditional 2027 second-round pick, could become a first)
  • Charlie Coyle (to Colorado for Casey Mittelstadt, Will Zellers, and a 2025 second-round pick)
  • Brandon Carlo (to Toronto for Fraser Minten, a top-five protected 2026 first-round pick, and a 2025 fourth-round pick)
  • Trent Frederic & Max Jones (to Edmonton for Max Wanner, St. Louis’ 2025 second-round pick, and a 2026 fourth-round pick)
  • Justin Brazeau (to Minnesota for Jakub Lauko, Marat Khusnutdinov, and a 2026 sixth-round pick)
  • Marc McLaughlin (to New Jersey for defenseman Daniil Misyul)
  • 2025 fourth-round pick (from Edmonton) (sent to Buffalo for defenseman Henri Jokiharju)

What the Bruins Acquired:

  • Casey Mittelstadt – A skilled center who provides an offensive boost but lacks Coyle’s physicality.
  • Fraser Minten – One of Toronto’s top forward prospects with solid two-way potential.
  • Will Zellers – A USHL forward committed to North Dakota, years away from the NHL.
  • Henri Jokiharju – A depth defenseman who helps stabilize the blue line.
  • Max Wanner & Daniil Misyul – Two young defensemen who provide long-term depth.
  • Multiple draft picks, including a 2026 first-rounder and multiple second-rounders.

The Verdict:

The Bruins committed to change, shedding veterans and acquiring young talent and future picks. The biggest disappointment? The underwhelming return for Marchand, a franchise legend, though if he and the team were too far apart on contract talks, recouping assets is generally a good business move. Still, a conditional second-round pick (even if it turns into a first) feels like a lowball deal, especially for a player who embodies Boston hockey.

On the bright side, Mittelstadt is a promising addition, and Fraser Minten could develop into a reliable two-way center. But the Bruins now face a challenging road ahead, with a younger, less experienced core and a lot of unknowns.

Casey Mittelstadt (© Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images)

Final Grade: B+ – The Bruins made necessary moves but didn’t maximize every return. Now, they need these picks and prospects to pan out.