Boston Bruins & Colorado Avalanche Linked to Pre-Deadline Trade

The Colorado Avalanche and Boston Bruins are two teams to watch ahead of the March 7 trade deadline. Both teams are going to be active, as the Avs continue to make bold moves this season, while the Bruins' plans are going to change in a major way if they don't shore up their playoff spot.

Daily Faceoff's Matt Larkin feels that the Avalanche and Bruins could become trade partners on a deal centered around Casey Mittelstadt. Colorado GM Chris MacFarland is reportedly trying to shop the second-line center, looking for an immediate upgrade, and impact player(s), who can be inserted into the Avs lineup in short order. If Mittelstadt does get dealt before March 7, it won't be for a 'futures' package.

Larkin feels the Bruins could really benefit from adding a talented pivot like Mittelstadt down the middle of the ice:

The Bruins have been chasing it at center since Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci retired. Last season, they made due with Pavel Zacha and Charlie Coyle having career years. They added Elias Lindholm on a big contract over the summer, but he hasn’t performed like a No. 2 pivot, let alone a No. 1. That’s not to say Mittelstadt has the chops to step in as a top-line center, but the Bruins desperately need someone with purely offensive instincts. David Pastrnak can’t do all the scoring by himself. While Mittelstadt isn’t a goal scorer, he’d certainly help the other Bruins score more.

Mittelstadt is owed $5.75 million AAV through the 2026-27 season. He doesn't hold any trade protection until the final season of his contract. This would need to be a money-in/money-out kind of trade, as the Bruins have just over $300,000 in cap space. Some Bruins' trade candidates include Trent Frederic, Brandon Carlo, and yes, if Boston isn't in the playoff picture, even Brad Marchand.

Casey Mittelstadt’s high school highlights are absolutely ridiculous 😳 pic.twitter.com/oePU9aELWt
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