The Boston Bruins weren’t supposed to be here - not this fast, anyway. After finishing at the bottom of the Atlantic Division last season, the expectation was a slow rebuild, maybe a couple of years spent retooling before they could sniff contention again. But here we are, nearing the Olympic break, and the Bruins are not only back in the playoff picture - they’re surging.
A big part of that turnaround? The arrival of Marco Sturm behind the bench.
Sturm, a former Bruin himself, has brought the team back to its roots - physical, relentless, and unapologetically tough. For decades, Boston hockey has been defined by grit and grind, and Sturm has leaned hard into that identity.
The Bruins are once again the kind of team that finishes every check, wins battles along the boards, and doesn’t shy away from dropping the gloves when needed.
But this isn’t just a throwback team built on muscle. They’ve paired that edge with high-end skill - David Pastrnak continues to be one of the NHL’s most dangerous offensive weapons, Charlie McAvoy is anchoring the blue line with his usual two-way brilliance, and Jeremy Swayman has been rock solid in net. That combination of toughness, talent, and goaltending has the Bruins playing some of their best hockey in recent memory.
January has been especially kind to them. They’ve gone 10-2-1 this month, including a thrilling 3-2 overtime win over the Nashville Predators.
That one ended just 15 seconds into OT, with McAvoy threading a slick backhand pass across the crease to Pastrnak, who tapped it in for the game-winner. It was the kind of play that perfectly encapsulates what this Bruins team is all about - skill meeting execution in the biggest moments.
Now, with just three games left before the Olympic break, the Bruins are looking ahead to the stretch run. And if they want to make a serious push, there’s still work to be done - particularly down the middle and on the blue line.
Let’s start with center. Ever since Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci retired following the 2022-23 season, Boston’s been in search of long-term solutions at the top of the lineup.
Elias Lindholm and Pavel Zacha have done a solid job filling those roles this season - Lindholm, in particular, has been a key contributor, tallying 11 goals and 26 assists in 44 games. He’s also been effective on the power play, notching six goals with the man advantage.
But Lindholm’s game has had its ups and downs, and with him now dealing with an upper-body injury suffered against Nashville, the Bruins may need to act. A name that’s gaining steam in trade circles: Robert Thomas of the St. Louis Blues.
Thomas would be a significant upgrade. He’s a polished two-way center with high-end playmaking ability and a proven track record.
He’s put up 33 points this season (11 goals, 22 assists), and just last year, he racked up 86 points while helping St. Louis make a late playoff push.
His plus-minus is down this year, but that’s more a reflection of the Blues’ struggles - they’re buried at the bottom of the Central Division and would need to leapfrog seven teams to make the postseason. That’s not happening, which means St.
Louis could be open for business.
If Boston can land Thomas and slot him between Pastrnak and Morgan Geekie, it could elevate the entire top six. Thomas has the kind of vision and puck distribution that could take an already dangerous line to another level.
But the Bruins aren’t just shopping for offense. They’re also eyeing reinforcements on the back end.
Last season’s collapse was largely fueled by an inability to hold leads - blown third periods became a frustrating theme. That’s changed this year, thanks in part to the health of McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm, and the addition of Nikita Zadorov. Zadorov has brought a bruising presence to the blue line, delivering big hits, clearing the crease, and bringing an edge that fits perfectly with Sturm’s vision.
Still, if the Bruins want to solidify their defense for a deep playoff run, another veteran addition could make a big difference - someone like Justin Faulk, also of the Blues.
Faulk is a dependable, right-shot defenseman who brings both physicality and offensive upside. He’s tallied 11 goals and 14 assists this season, and he’s more than capable of quarterbacking a power play unit. He’d give Boston another option on special teams and provide depth that could prove crucial in a long postseason grind.
With the Olympic break looming and the trade deadline not far behind it, the Bruins are in a position few expected - firmly in the playoff mix and a couple of smart moves away from becoming a legitimate threat in the East.
A trade for Robert Thomas, Justin Faulk, or both wouldn’t just be about plugging holes. It would be a signal that the Bruins aren’t just back - they’re ready to make noise.