The Boston Bruins began their roster shake-up on Tuesday, with GM Don Sweeney trading Trent Frederic and Max Jones to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for second- and fourth-round draft picks. Later that night, the Bruins fell 6-3 to the Nashville Predators, who completed a season sweep in the 2024-25 campaign.
Boston’s playoff hopes are slipping fast in the Eastern Conference, now needing to leapfrog multiple teams to secure a wild-card spot—an unenviable position with just 19 regular-season games left. With the NHL trade deadline set for Friday at 3 p.m. ET, expect more moves from the Black and Gold. Here are three players likely to be traded before the deadline—and two who are staying put.
3 Bruins who will be traded
Justin Brazeau
A gritty bottom-six forward with a playoff-ready style, Justin Brazeau has been one of the most talked-about trade candidates in recent months. Now, Brad Marchand and Morgan Geekie have joined that conversation, with all three playing on expiring contracts.
While Brazeau won’t fetch a massive return, trading him would clear a roster spot for younger players to gain valuable ice time in the final stretch of the season. He may not be the fastest skater, but he thrives in the tough areas and wears down opponents with his forechecking. With the deadline approaching, it seems only a matter of time before he’s moved.
Georgii Merkulov
With injuries piling up among the forwards and inconsistent performances, the Bruins have had the chance to call up talent from the AHL’s Providence Bruins. One such player is Georgii Merkulov, who has been stuck behind veteran forwards at the NHL level.
Merkulov has excelled in Providence and is a prospect who could attract interest, given his scoring ability. He’s likely to be part of a package deal to bring in a player with term, helping Boston plan for the future. It’s hard not to see his call-up as a potential showcase for other teams ahead of the trade deadline.
Brandon Carlo
Earlier this week, I wrote that the Bruins should trade Brandon Carlo and Charlie Coyle but likely wouldn’t, opting instead to run it back next season. However, with trade rumors surrounding Carlo continuing to gain momentum, it wouldn’t be shocking to see GM Don Sweeney capitalize on his value now.
Carlo isn’t known for his scoring, but his ability to kill penalties, shut down top opponents, and use his long reach to disrupt plays makes him a highly valuable asset. Among the players with term that Sweeney could move, Carlo would likely bring in the biggest return. With so much speculation surrounding him, a trade feels increasingly inevitable.
2 Bruins who will not be traded
Pavel Zacha
It seems like almost anyone could be available for the right price, but one player who won’t be on the move is Pavel Zacha. Why? For starters, he has found great chemistry with David Pastrnak and Morgan Geekie, forming Boston’s most effective line. Pastrnak recently had a 17-game point streak, and Geekie just netted his 20th goal of the season against the Predators.
Zacha isn’t the problem for the Bruins—if anything, he’s part of the solution. He can serve as a center for Pastrnak next season, helping to keep the star forward happy. Boston has certainly gotten a better version of Zacha than the New Jersey Devils did, and he should remain a key top-six player, ideally on the second line with some offseason reinforcements.
Morgan Geekie
Morgan Geekie is enjoying a career year with the Black and Gold, solidifying his breakout over the past two seasons in Boston. His chemistry with David Pastrnak and Pavel Zacha has been crucial, and without him, the Bruins would likely be much lower in the standings. As a pending free agent, Geekie is set to cash in this summer—but will Boston be able to afford him?
There’s a similar storyline to Pavel Zacha here—Geekie struggled in his previous stint but has thrived in Boston, carving out an important role. While it would be great to see him return, any potential trade needs to make sense. If Don Sweeney receives an offer too good to pass up, fine—but moving Geekie just for the sake of it wouldn’t be the right play. If the deal isn’t right, the Bruins should keep him.
