The Boston Bruins are a team that for the first time in a while have little expectations heading into this 25-26 season. The squad is coming off of a disappointing 76 point season that saw them finish last in the eastern conference and miss the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
The Bruins will not be expected to return to the playoffs this season as the club has made some heavy sacrifices within the last calendar year as the organization enters a needed retool. Boston legend Brad Marchand is the most notable loss, having been dealt at the 2025 trade deadline and going on to win the Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers.
As the Bruins continue to build up their futures core headlined by James Hagens, the question arrives to which veteran players on the team could be moved next as Boston will likely be hot in the race for Gavin McKenna in 2026.
3 Bruins players identified as future trade pieces
Nestor Quixtan of Heavy Sports has targeted 3 Bruins players as possible trade chips in the future, depending on how this season plays out.
Casey Mittelstadt
Mittelstadt was recently acquired by the Bruins from the Colorado Avalanche during this past trade deadline. He will have an opportunity this year in another new destination for him to establish himself as a potential core piece. However, his time in Boston could be short as the soon to be 27 year old has only 2 years left on his current deal. If he is unable to assert himself in this lineup, the Bruins patience with him will likely be short if they don't view Casey as a long term fit.
Pavel Zacha
The 4th year Bruin is coming off a decent 47 point season, mostly playing in a 2nd line center role behind Elias Lindholm. Like Mittelstadt, Zacha has 2 years left on his current deal. The 28 year old is an attractive trade block asset as teams know what they are getting with him, reliable 2nd line production and consistent play on both ends.
Viktor Arvidsson
Arvidsson was recently acquired by the Bruins in a trade with the Oilers over the summer. With 1 year left on his contract, he is the definition of a trade deadline rental flip for future's assets with solid enough production.