Report: Bruins To Take "Cautious Approach" At Trade Deadline

The Boston Bruins are expected to take a cautious approach to the March 7 trade deadline, a departure from general manager Don Sweeney’s aggressive strategy in previous years. 

With the team sitting just outside the Eastern Conference playoff race and having played more games than their competitors, Sweeney admitted that adding rental players is unlikely. 

“I think we’ll take a much more cautious approach as we approach the deadline,” he told reporters. If the Bruins do make moves, they are expected to target players with term remaining on their contracts or explore trading pending free agents such as Trent Frederic, Justin Brazeau, and RFA Morgan Geekie.

MORGAN GEEKIE! TIE GAME!! 🚨 pic.twitter.com/vtO561CxyL

— NHL (@NHL) February 23, 2025

Injuries to key defensemen Hampus Lindholm and Charlie McAvoy further complicate Boston’s situation. 

Lindholm has been out since November with a fractured patella and is unlikely to return this season, while McAvoy has no set timeline to return after suffering a shoulder injury at the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament. 

The Bruins have struggled defensively in their absence, dropping three straight games and facing a tough schedule ahead. 

Interim head coach Joe Sacco is working with a depleted roster, and analytics site MoneyPuck gives the Bruins just a 15.4 percent chance of making the playoffs.

With the Bruins seemingly throwing in the towel on the season, Elliotte Friedman mentions today on 32TP the talk on Trent Frederic has picked up

I could see him being targeted by the Sens as a deadline acquisition. He checks a lot of boxes for what they need to add up front… pic.twitter.com/cVQWvqtTLw

— Martian (@LalimesMartian) February 24, 2025

Sweeney acknowledged that years of deadline deals have left Boston with limited trade assets, making an all-in push difficult to justify. 

“Going all in at the deadline has caught up to the franchise,” he said, referencing past trades that cost the Bruins multiple first-round picks. 

Instead, the team may use this deadline to acquire future assets, though Sweeney also emphasized the importance of captain Brad Marchand’s contract situation. 

If an extension isn’t reached soon, the Bruins could even consider moving him, though both sides remain interested in continuing their relationship.

Photo Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images