The Boston Bruins entered the Olympic break sitting in fifth place in the Atlantic Division with 69 points-good enough for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. That might not sound like a position of strength, but don’t let the seeding fool you. Boston has been playing some of its most inspired hockey of the season heading into the pause.
Over their final 14 games before the break, the Bruins put together a 10-1-3 run, showing resilience and grit in games that easily could’ve gone the other way. That stretch included back-to-back shootout losses to Tampa Bay and Florida-games where the Bruins didn’t just hang around; they battled.
Against the Lightning, they built a commanding 5-1 lead in the outdoor game at Raymond James Stadium before letting it slip away. And against the Panthers, they clawed back from a two-goal deficit in the third period to force overtime.
So yes, the Bruins are technically in a wildcard spot, but they’re playing like a team that believes it belongs higher.
That said, head coach Marco Sturm and GM Don Sweeney know better than to get too comfortable. There’s been plenty to like about this team’s recent form, but there’s also a clear-eyed understanding that this roster still has some holes-especially down the middle.
Let’s not forget what this team lost. Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci, two franchise anchors at center, both retired after the 2023 playoffs.
That kind of leadership and two-way play doesn’t just grow on trees. The Bruins managed to stay afloat in 2023-24, but last season was a different story-they bottomed out, finishing last in the division.
This year, there’s been a bounce-back, but the question remains: is this group built to make noise in the postseason?
That’s where the trade deadline looms large.
Sweeney has a decision to make. Elias Lindholm and Pavel Zacha have been holding down the top two center spots, but both are currently dealing with minor injuries-nothing long-term, but enough to raise eyebrows as the schedule ramps back up in late February.
Even when healthy, the Bruins’ center depth hasn’t quite filled the void left by Bergeron and Krejci. If this team wants to be more than just a tough out in the first round, an upgrade at center might be necessary.
One name that’s surfaced? Vincent Trocheck.
The Rangers have already begun retooling, shipping Artemi Panarin to the Kings, and Trocheck could be next. While trades between Boston and New York are rare, there’s some buzz that a deal sending Trocheck to the Bruins isn’t out of the question.
Trocheck is no stranger to the grind. He’s in his 13th NHL season and has logged time with the Panthers, Hurricanes, and Rangers.
In a down year for New York, he’s still managed 12 goals and 24 assists in 43 games, averaging just under 21 minutes a night. He’s a reliable presence who brings a mix of offensive skill and playoff experience.
His 2023-24 campaign was his best to date-77 points and an All-Star nod. And in the 2024 postseason, he stepped up with 20 points in 16 games, including a double-overtime winner in a pivotal second-round matchup.
That’s the kind of playoff pedigree that turns heads. But there’s a catch-actually, a few.
Trocheck is under contract through the 2028-29 season, which means any deal would require a significant return. The Rangers aren’t giving him away, and Boston would likely have to part with a mix of current contributors and future assets-prospects, picks, or both. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a team that’s clawed its way back into contention without gutting its foundation.
Then there’s the age factor. Trocheck is 32, and while he’s still producing, the question is whether he can maintain that level over the next few seasons.
The Bruins aren’t in a position to make a short-sighted move. They’re building something sustainable, and mortgaging part of the future for a marginal upgrade might not be worth it.
Because here’s the truth: Trocheck is a solid player, but he may not be a significant upgrade over what Boston already has. If the Bruins are going to make a move, it has to be the right one-not just a headline grabber.
Sweeney knows that. Sturm knows that.
And based on how this team has battled back into the playoff picture, the players know that too.
The Bruins are trending in the right direction. They’ve rediscovered their identity under Sturm-physical, opportunistic, and tough to play against.
The foundation is there. Now it’s about finding the right piece, not just any piece, to help them take that next step.