3 Boston Bruins Trade Candidates Heading Into 2026-27

The Boston Bruins are going to be one of those middle-of-the-pack types of teams in the Eastern Conference, that if they got hot at the right time, could do some serious damage in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. For now, GM Don Sweeney is working the phones, seeing what options present themselves before training camps opening in a few weeks.

The Bruins have had a relatively quiet offseason, making one significant move for winger J.J Peterka, while also adding Will Borgen on the back end to add some stability to the their blueline. The Bruins have a couple of very talented young forwards to build around in Fraser Minten and James Hagens, and it will be interesting to see how far up the Bruins' lineup these two can climb. 

As far as trade talks go, here's the most likely Bruins' trade candidates heading into next season:

Matthew Poitras

The 22-year-old forward is a restricted free agent, sitting without a contract for next season just weeks away from training camps opening. Poitras has quickly moved down the depth chart and with Minten and Hagens passing him, the Bruins could look to move the young center for another top-four defenceman, or perhaps a bigger package for a top-six winger. Poitras has a ton of untapped potential, he plays a solid two-way game, and is coming off just playing three games for the B's last season. Some teams felt an offer sheet was coming, but to this point, that doesn't appear close.

Mason Lohrei

The Lohrei trade talks picked up in a major way this offseason, and at one point, it sounded like he was very close to being moved to the Edmonton Oilers for Darnell Nurse. There was also the Detroit Red Wings, who are trying to move Dylan Larkin, and there were rumors that the Bruins were trying to convince Larkin to open up to playing in Boston. Lohrei would have 100% been included in the package. The mobile defenceman is signed for $3.2 million AAV next season, and doesn't have any trade protection. If a long-term deal isn't signed in the coming weeks, look for trade talks to once again heat up as the season begins. 

Pavel Zacha

Zacha was close to being moved at multiple times this summer. Trade talks with the New Jersey Devils, Oilers, Chicago Blackhawks, Red Wings, and Anaheim Ducks have taken place over the course of the last two months, but the Bruins weren't satisfied with the return, and didn't want to leave a gaping hole down the middle of their ice. Zacha is signed for just next season at $4.7 million AAV and owns an eight-team no-trade clause. Zacha isn't expected to re-sign in Boston, so the trade rumors won't be going anywhere, anytime soon.