By: Jake Ferraro | Follow me on Twitter/X @18Jxxx18
The National Hockey League Trade Deadline was recently wrapped up this past Friday afternoon. While the Boston Bruins didn’t make a big splash as some thought they would, the team kept valuable draft capital that some teams may have wanted in a potential trade, including four first-round draft picks over the next two years.
Two days ago, Bleacher Report’s Adam Gretz wrote an article titled “Grading Every NHL Team’s 2026 Trade Deadline.” Gretz gave the Bruins a C grade for their trade deadline moves, and it’s a grade that is fairly accurate.
“Outside of some minor deals, the Bruins mostly stood pat,” Gretz said. “And that is fine. They did nothing to hurt their chances of making the playoffs, nor did they do anything to help themselves.”
Bruins general manager Don Sweeney had to make crucial decisions at the trade deadline to improve his team. If the price was too high to trade for a player, then keeping the majority of the current Bruins roster may have sounded better for the rest of the season, given where the team stands.
The Bruins did one trade with the Philadelphia Flyers that centered on prospects. The Bruins traded away forward Brett Harrison and defenseman Jackson Edward in exchange for forwards Alexis Gendron and Massimo Rizzo from the Flyers. Gendron is 22 years old; Rizzo is 24 years old. Both Gendron and Rizzo have shown potential in the minors.
The other trade the Bruins did was with the Vancouver Canucks. The Bruins traded away a 2026 sixth-round draft pick in exchange for forward Lukas Reichel from the Canucks. Reichel is 23 years old and a former 2020 first-round draft pick (17th overall pick) by the Chicago Blackhawks, but has recorded 59 points in 188 NHL games. Reichel has played 19 games combined this season for the Blackhawks and Canucks, and has totaled just five points, and hasn’t played an NHL game since November.
With the two trades Boston made, it’s a chance to see where the players fit in a new system. Before the trade, Gendron recorded 22 points in 47 games in the AHL with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. For Rizzo this season, he recorded 22 points in 29 games in the ECHL with the Reading Royals.
Reichel still could have some potential as a former first-round draft pick. Vancouver and Chicago didn’t work out well for Reichel, so a fresh start in Boston could get some confidence back in his game. Sweeney spoke highly of Reichel, noting that he has great speed, is a two-position player, and has upside.
Gretz also mentioned in his article that the Bruins are not just one move away from winning a Stanley Cup this season, and paying a price to trade for a player may not have made much sense. Based on how the Bruins have been since the 2026 Winter Olympics concluded, Gretz may be accurate. The Bruins hold the second Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference with 76 points, but the team hasn’t been great since returning to play, having a 3-2-1 record. In particular, the road struggles are awful.
The Bruins have lost all three road games since returning to play, with the overall road record dropping to 11-14-5. The Bruins lost to the Flyers and Nashville Predators in the first two road games, and both teams would be out of the 2026 playoffs if the season ended today, but yesterday’s loss was the worst of the three. The Bruins led 3-0 against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second period, only to lose 5-4 in overtime. The Bruins wasted a hat trick from Pavel Zacha in yesterday’s loss.
Gretz mentioned at the end of his Bruins grade on how St. Louis Blues forward Robert Thomas could be a target for the Bruins in the offseason. The Bruins were rumored to be interested in a right-handed defenseman. Justin Faulk, Braden Schneider, and Rasmus Ristolainen were some of the potential options. While Faulk was traded to the Detroit Red Wings, one of the assets the Blues got in return for him was a 2026 first-round pick. A first-round draft pick for a 33-year-old defenseman may have been too high to give up in Boston’s shoes.
Viktor Arvidsson, Casey Mittelstadt, and Matthew Potrais were some of the names that popped up among potential trade candidates on the Bruins. However, all players remained in Boston, but the Bruins need a top center who could be reliable. That is where Thomas could be an option, and Sweeney may use assets to trade for him if interested.
Gendron, Rizzo, and Reichel are all restricted free agents after this season at a fair salary. Now, the Bruins need to shift their focus to winning consistently to hold onto their playoff position, which isn’t by much in a competitive Eastern Conference.
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