The Boston Bruins are in the market for a player on a term deal, ideally someone who can grow with the group that’s already taking shape around the mid-20s. And tucked into their asset pile is one trade chip that could get a lot more interesting if the Toronto Maple Leafs keep sliding: Toronto’s first-round pick.
That pick comes with a wrinkle that’s easy to miss. The Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers each own Toronto’s first-round selections over the next two years, but the Leafs get to decide which team receives which pick in each season. So the value of Boston’s piece isn’t fixed - it moves with Toronto’s results.
If the Leafs rebound and end up with a pick in the 20s this season, they’d probably send that one to the Bruins rather than hand Boston another lottery ticket. If Toronto then drops off next season, the Flyers would likely be the team to receive the lottery pick. Even then, it would be less painful for the Leafs to send that kind of selection to an Eastern Conference opponent than to an Atlantic Division rival.
The real danger for Toronto is a two-year collapse. In that scenario, they could end up giving Philadelphia a lottery pick this season, then somehow be even worse next season and land the first overall selection again - which would send Boston the top pick and, in this example, someone like Maddox Schultz.
For the Bruins, that creates a decision point. They can hold the pick and hope Toronto’s decline continues, but that’s a gamble. If the Leafs keep their core together and add a major defenseman or forward in the offseason, Boston could be left with a 2028 first-rounder that projects to land in the mid-to-late 20s.
That’s why the smarter play may be to move it now. If Toronto keeps losing, the pick only becomes more attractive, and Don Sweeney has to find the right moment to cash it in. A Western Conference team could be especially interested, since Toronto would likely prefer sending a lottery pick to a Western club rather than to Philadelphia if the Leafs finish that low this season.
For Boston, the appeal is obvious: the Leafs’ pick could help them add a player who helps now and later, without forcing them to give up one of their top prospects.
In Other News...
Will Borgen Is Giving Bruins Blue Line Exactly What It Needed
Will Borgen has quietly become one of the more important pieces on Bostons blue line, giving the Bruins the kind of steady, hard-nosed defensive presence they were looking for. Through 18 games, he has logged meaningful minutes and posted strong defensive numbers, even while taking a lot of shifts starting in his own end. For a team trying to tighten up its structure, that kind of reliability has mattered.
Marco Sturm has noticed, too, praising Borgens aggressive approach and the way he can help neutralize opposing top lines. His impact has shown up in the Bruins overall defensive shape, where his plus-minus and underlying numbers have stood out despite the tough usage. The bigger question now is how far that fit can go as Boston keeps leaning on him in the matchups that matter most. [Read more 🡒]
Bruins Stay In The Hunt For A Young Blue-Line Prize
The Bruins are still poking around the market for help on the blue line, and one name that keeps surfacing is Simon Edvinsson. Boston is reportedly among six NHL teams interested in the Detroit defenseman, a young former top-six pick who has been sitting out while the Red Wings sort through trade possibilities. For a Bruins team always looking to keep its back end stocked with size and upside, it is the kind of profile that naturally draws attention.
There is a catch, though, and it may be the part that slows things down. Boston has also shown interest in Dylan Larkin, but he has not put the Bruins on his trade request list, which makes any broader deal construction more complicated. So while Edvinsson keeps the Bruins in the conversation for one of the more intriguing young defensemen available, the path to getting something done may depend on whether Detroit is willing to move pieces on terms that actually fit Boston's plans. [Read more 🡒]
Bruins Bring Extra Buzz To Canadiens Night At TD Garden
After a day off, the Bruins were back on the ice Tuesday with their attention turning quickly to a familiar rivalry and a little added pageantry. Their next game against the Canadiens will come with a new look, as Boston is set to unveil its Hometown Remix "Varsity Sweaters" for the matchup at TD Garden, giving an already charged night a bit more of a spotlight.
The timing also fits with a team that has started to find some offensive rhythm beyond the jerseys. Morgan Geekie has been one of the more encouraging signs lately, with his recent scoring touch helping the Bruins build momentum as they return from the break in routine. Around the league, the GM meetings wrapped up with talk of salary cap adjustments and possible replay help for officials, but for Boston the immediate focus is on a rivalry game that should already have plenty of energy attached to it. [Read more 🡒]