NHL Insider Lists Marchand as Trade Candidate for Bruins

As the new year and the NHL trade deadline approaches, insiders are compiling lists of potential trade candidates. For the Boston Bruins, who have underperformed this season, some big names are surfacing—including their captain, Brad Marchand.

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This season has been anything but smooth for the Bruins. Former head coach Jim Montgomery faced heavy criticism early on and was fired just a month and a half into the campaign. Compounding their struggles is the team’s lackluster 17-13-3 record, placing them 13th in the league. While still holding a playoff spot, this marks a significant drop from the dominance of their Presidents’ Trophy-winning team two seasons ago.

The Bruins’ current 0.561 winning percentage is the lowest among the top 14 teams in the standings, making them the only team in that group with a sub-0.600 winning percentage. For a franchise accustomed to competing at the highest level, these struggles have opened the door to speculation about major roster changes—possibly even involving Marchand.

With expectations high and results falling short, the Bruins could face some difficult decisions as they look to salvage their season.

Bruins and Marchand Parting Ways?

As a result of Boston’s turbulence, NHL Insider of the Athletic, Chris Johnston, lists Brad Marchand as possible trade bait. It’s a mildly confusing pick, considering Marchand has been a vital part of the Bruins organization for 16 years.

Marchand is playing out the final year of his contract. Additionally, Johnston lists his multiple offseason surgeries as a setback. On top of that, the 36-year-old has had a slower start to the season. In 33 Games he has recorded 25 points. This puts him on pace for his lowest-scoring season in nearly a decade. Johnston partially credits the coaching change for his listing. He states, “With things seeming to have normalized in Boston since Joe Sacco replaced Jim Montgomery behind the Bruins bench in November, Marchand is nearly off the Big Board.”. 

Johnston also notes that it’s difficult to envision the Bruins trading Marchand as long as they remain in a playoff position. Despite a slower start from the captain, Marchand’s value to the team remains undeniable. Johnston writes, “He [Marchand] remains a high-end winger who can contribute offensively, kill penalties, and, yes, get under an opponent’s skin.”

The Bruins face a critical decision: leverage Marchand’s skills for their own playoff push or explore his trade value if their postseason hopes dwindle. As Chris Johnston suggests, falling out of a playoff spot could position Boston as a significant player at the trade deadline.

Trading a team captain—especially a 16-year veteran like Marchand—is a rare and dramatic move. While desperate times often call for desperate measures, the question remains: are the Bruins in a situation dire enough to part ways with their longtime leader?

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