The Boston Bruins are entering the 4 Nations Face-Off break on the outside of the Eastern Conference playoff picture. That placement in the standings has created some intrigue as to what they are going to do before the NHL trade deadline on March 7.
Will they sell? Will they buy? Will they do nothing at all and just play out the season and hope for the best?
Given the way the Bruins have played this season and how far below the top-tier contenders they seem to be, it would probably make the most sense for them to sell. That has put team captain Brad Marchand, a pending unrestricted free agent after this season, on the trade rumor mill.
Marchand addressed that speculation on Tuesday during an appearance on the "What Chaos" podcast, and he was dismissive of the idea of a trade actually happening.
He also added that he wants to spend his entire career in Boston.
“My goal is to play here forever,” he said. “I love it here, and my family obviously loves it here. And what I love most about it is that the expectations that are put on the group by — internally, just from management, ownership, from the team within — like the expectation to be good every year is what you want to be part of."
The 36-year-old Marchand has spent his entire career with Boston and been a core member of the team for the past 15 years. He played a major role in their 2011 Stanley Cup championship, while also helping the Bruins reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2013 and 2019. He has been a top-line scorer, an outstanding two-way player with a strong defensive game and is also one of the most agitating players in the league to go against.
He is the type of player every team hates to play against but loves to have on their side.
As such, he would be such an intriguing trade chip over the next month. If the Bruins decided to move him and try to collect some future draft assets or young players, they could probably do well for themselves. Every contender in the league would be lining up to add him for a playoff run.
As much as Marchand doesn't want to think about it, and as difficult as it might be for the Bruins to move him, it is something they should at least consider. There would also be nothing stopping them from trying to bring him back this offseason as a free agent.
The bottom line is the Bruins are far from being a contender and they need more draft picks and prospects in the organization — if for no other reason than to use them as trade assets to fill other areas of need. Marchand could help them accomplish that.
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