Report: Bruins A Deadline "X-Factor", 3 Trade Candidates Garnering Interest

While everyone wants to ask about Brad Marchand's future with the Boston Bruins, neither the team nor the player are truly ready for a divorce at this point. But there are three other players as well for whom they are receiving "a bunch of calls."

Emily Kaplan on ABC called the Bruins a trade deadline "X-factor" and said they're "listening on a lot right now, both adding and subtracting." Said they're getting "a bunch of calls" on Frederic, Geekie and Carlo. Adds that other teams don't believe they'll trade Marchand.
— Scott McLaughlin (@smclaughlin9) February 8, 2025

Per insider Emily Kaplan, she recently said the Bruins are a trade deadline "X-factor," and that they're "listening on a lot right now, both adding and subtracting."

As for the likely subtractions, it sounds like these 3 could be on the move:

Trent Frederic, F

His name has been prominent on the rumor mill all season, as the physical forward is a pending UFA, and there have been no substantive extension talks. He was coming off a career year in 2023-24, when he posted a personal best 18 goals and 40 points. But after two strong seasons in the Bruins' bottom-six, his production has dropped off this year, to just 8 goals and 15 points through 55 games. He'll be in demand for contending teams, however, as he provides size, physicality and the potential for some secondary scoring.

Brandon Carlo, D

The sizeable D-man has proven to be a staple on the Boston blueline, though he is having a down year, and he comes with two more years on his contract, at a $4.1M cap hit. The 6'5", 215-pounder might be a bit too expensive for the Bruins to keep around, notes insider Nick Kypreos, as they're already taking up $21M of their cap space on three other defenders in Charlie McAvoy, Hampus Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov. Suitors, however, will likely need the B's to retain some of his cap hit if they decide to move him.

Morgan Geekie, C/F

Another surprising name to find on this list. A pending UFA, on pace for a career-high in goals with 17 already tying his previous best from last year, Geekie would be in demand as a rental for a team looking for more scoring. He's even settled into a top-line role with the Bruins, and there's certainly no guarantee they'd be looking to trade the ascending 26-year-old.

Kaplan added that rival teams aren't convinced that the Bruins are seriously considering trading Marchand.