By: Tom Calautti | Follow me on Twitter @TCalauttis
Following tonight’s loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, the Boston Bruins announced a trade that sent Justin Brazeau to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for Jakub Lauko, Marat Khusnutdinov, and a 2026 sixth-round pick. The team has made two deals ahead of Friday’s NHL Trade Deadline.
The 27-year-old Brazeau joined the Bruins organization during the 2021-22 season when he signed with Providence after two seasons in the Toronto Maple Leafs’ system. Brazeau scored 49-64-113 in 167 games with Boston’s AHL affiliate before earning a shot in the NHL.
The Ontario native earned his first NHL contract when the Bruins signed him to a two-year, two-way contract on February 19, 2024. Over the last few months of that season, Brazeau suited up in 19 contests and posted 5-2-7. He finished the year playing nine postseason games and notched 1–1-2 over that time. Brazeau’s lone assist came on Hampus Lindholm’s game-tying goal in game seven against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Brazeau built off his early NHL success, securing a spot on Boston’s opening night roster this season. Throughout 57 games this season he’s registered 10-10-10 while playing significant time on the second, third, and fourth lines.
The Bruins originally drafted Lauko, 24, in the third round of the 2018 NHL Draft. The Czech winger posted 6-11-17 during his first 83 games in Boston. General Manager Don Sweeney sent him and the 110th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft to Minnesota in exchange for Vinni Lettieri and the 110th overall pick (defenseman Elliott Groenewold). Through 38 games this season Lauko has 3-3-6.
Marat Khusnutdinov, 22, was selected 37th overall by the Minnesota Wild in the second round of the 2020 draft. The Russia native spent three seasons in the KHL prior to joining the Wild at the end of the 2023-24 season. He’s played in 57 games this season for Minnesota posting 2-5-7.
With two deals now done, Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney has acquired a 2025 second-round pick, 2026 fourth-round pick, 2026 sixth-round pick, Jakub Lauko, Marat Khusnutdinov, and defensive prospect Max Wanner. Just less than 24 hours are remaining until the NHL Trade Deadline.
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