With the 2024 Stanley Cup champion crowned, the NHL offseason is now officially in full swing. The Boston Bruins are coming off of a 109-point season in which they bowed out in the second round of the playoffs to the Florida Panthers, the eventual Cup champions. This season marked the second consecutive season in which Boston had been sent golfing by Florida.
The Bruins have already made their first major trade of the offseason, shipping former Vezina Trophy-winning goaltender Linus Ullmark north of the border to the Ottawa Senators on Monday night, mere minutes before the puck dropped in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final. The return for Ullmark was widely regarded as disappointing from Boston's perspective, especially after many rumors suggested that Bruins fans could expect a haul for the netminder's services.
The Bruins' clear-cut need is to acquire a top-six center this offseason, whether that comes through free agency or a trade. The defensive unit feels pretty set in stone, and the goaltending situation is clear after Monday's Ullmark trade. Subsequently, all three of the players on this list are centermen.
After already pulling the trigger on a major trade, does general manager Don Sweeney have a blockbuster deal in his back pocket this offseason? Here are three potential trade targets for the Bruins.
3. Trevor Zegras, Anaheim Ducks
Zegras, 23, has been linked to the Bruins due to Boston's aforementioned dire need at center. Zegras' style of play revolves around his playmaking ability, which has resulted in some highlight-reel goals and assists. The Bruins tend to play a more two-way style of hockey, and Zegras' archetype might be better suited for a high-flying roster.
Zegras is no stranger to Boston, having skated for the Boston University Terriers in 2019-20.
A former ninth-overall pick, his production dipped heavily in 2023-24 as Zegras struggled to stay healthy. Ultimately, he only suited up for 31 of Anaheim's 82 games. After a down year, many GMs have hoped to take advantage and snag Zegras at a low value.
In his two full seasons, the former Terrier eclipsed 60 points and 20 goals at only age 20 and 21, respectively. Zegras' potential is undeniable and he is signed through the 2025-26 at a reasonable $5.75 million average annual value.
David Pagnotta of the Fourth Period reported that the Ducks have set a "very high price" for Zegras. If the Bruins are going to pull off a blockbuster, they might be better served to give up those assets for a more proven player.
2. Mika Zibanejad, New York Rangers
Another center on this list, Zibanejad would be a much better fit to the Bruins' style of play than the aforementioned Zegras. The 31-year-old is a solid two-way player, receiving Selke Trophy votes in four of the last five seasons. Zibanejad can feature on all special teams units and should immediately slot in as a first-line center in Boston.
Zibanejad has scored the 20th-most points in the entire NHL over the last three seasons and has averaged 31 goals per season in that span.
New York Rangers general manager Chris Drury stated that "nothing is off the table" after the Rangers crashed out in the Eastern Conference Final. This would presumably include potentially shopping Zibanejad, who has six years and $51 million ($8.5 million AAV) remaining on his contract. On the north side of 30, you have to wonder if his production will continue to decline as well, leaving Boston with an albatross of a contract.
The Rangers might be apprehensive to trade Zibanejad to another Eastern Conference rival. And as mentioned before, the Bruins don't have a lot of trade assets at their disposal, so offering a package attractive enough could be challenging. Add in the contract that they would be taking on, and this hypothetical might be a long shot.
1. Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton Oilers
Fresh off of a Game 7 loss and a disappointing series in which he was held goalless, Leon Draisaitl's future with the Edmonton Oilers has come under some uncertainty.
One of the game's superstars, the former third-overall pick has surpassed 100 points in the last five full seasons. He's scored 50 or more goals three times. Draisaitl led the league in points in 2019-20, in which he took home the Hart Trophy as the league's MVP as well. He has the second-most points and second-most goals in the NHL over the last five seasons.
Draisaitl will be entering the final season of his eight-year, $68 million deal that he signed. With his future in Edmonton in question, some trade rumors have circulated. In early May, former NHL enforcer Georges Laraque fueled that fire: "Someone well placed in the organization said that if the Oilers don't go deep in the playoffs he doesn't see Draisaitl re-signing at the end of his deal." The next line is music to Bruins' fans' ears: "He'd prefer to be a first-line center in Boston."
Earlier this month, Bruins superstar David Pastrnak declared "I would love Draisaitl!" when asked if he had been recruiting any players to the team. But then again, who wouldn't want to play with Draisaitl?
Now, Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final is quite literally the farthest you can go in the playoffs, so that doesn't exactly fit the bill within Laraque's report. Boston fans will be hoping that the Oilers coming up slightly short and a poor Finals showing from Draisaitl make him more inclined to chase the Cup elsewhere.
In the aftermath of Edmonton's heartbreaking loss, insider Chris Johnston reported:
"Edmonton is not inclined to let the 28-year-old center simply play out the final year of his contract and walk directly into free agency next July, according to multiple league sources familiar with the front office's view of the situation. "
- Chris Johnston of The Athleitc
Quite simply, if Draisaitl isn't willing to extend his contract in Edmonton, the Oilers sound like they will see trading him as their only option.
Admittedly, it will take a haul to land a generational talent like Draisaitl. On the doorstep of hoisting the Cup, Edmonton will likely command NHL talent rather than prospects or future draft picks. Pavel Zacha, Charlie Coyle, and Matthew Poitras could all be in the mix. Young defenseman Mason Lohrei has been promising, but Don Sweeney might have to sacrifice him in a blockbuster.
Furthermore, the Bruins shouldn't pull the trigger on this deal unless they have a high level of confidence that Draisaitl would agree to a contract extension in Boston. They can't give up the farm for a one-season rental, no matter how good the player is.
