Even with Jeremy Swayman heating up in net (.919 save percentage over last nine games), Boston's defense has splintered in front of him, with the Bruins outshot over their last seven games, 267-187.
As tempting as it might be to try and shore up at least one deficient area on Boston's depth chart in hopes of punching a ticket to the playoffs, the dearth of high-end talent on this roster -- coupled with a competitive field within the conference -- might prompt Cam Neely, Don Sweeney, and the Bruins' top brass to accept a path they haven't traveled down in years.
A legitimate retool in hopes of greater returns in 2025 and beyond.
With the Bruins anchored by a foundation featuring a 60-goal scorer in David Pastrnak, a No. 1 goalie in Jeremy Swayman, and a top-pairing defenseman in Charlie McAvoy, a full-blown teardown likely isn't realistic -- nor will Boston likely look at moving that trio.
Other players like Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov -- fresh off of signing hefty contracts last summer -- likely won't be targeted by other teams, unless Boston eats a hefty portion of their contracts.
But if the Bruins embrace a similar strategy as the Capitals in recent years and augment their roster around a few key fixtures, the team could get a jump start on what could be an eventful summer.
Here's a look at 10 possible trade chips that Sweeney and Co. might dangle on the market if the Bruins are braced for a retool later this winter.
Trent Frederic
One of the more obvious trade candidates on Boston's roster, the pugnacious forward fits the profile of an asset that a retooling team moves on from.
Not only is Frederic a pending unrestricted free agent who Boston may not necessarily be comfortable with handing a sizable pay raise, but his blend of snarl and secondary scoring (albeit not as much this year) could make him the type of player that most teams bracing for the playoffs would covet.
The 26-year-old forward has been a good foot soldier over his five full seasons in Boston. But if the Bruins aren't willing to give him a deal that could pay him more than $4 million annually, they could flip him for a draft pick or two.
Morgan Geekie
No player on Boston's roster has raised their stock more since Joe Sacco's appointment as interim head coach than Geekie -- who has scored 10 goals and posted 18 points over his last 25 games.
Geekie is another player due for a new contract this offseason, which makes him another trade chip if the Bruins want to move the 26-year-old forward for more draft capital.
But Geekie might hold more value to the Bruins when compared to Frederic, given that Geekie will be a restricted free agent this offseason -- coupled with his strong play as of late on Boston's top line.
Boston could be tempted to sell high on Geekie, but the Bruins also aren't exactly stacked with depth on the wing moving forward. Retaining Geekie might be a proper move for a Bruins team woefully short on players who can hit the net and drive play in elevated roles.
Andrew Peeke
Peeke is a no-frills blueliner who can log 17-19 minutes a night, land a heavy hit or two, and chip in on the penalty kill when called upon.
In other words, he's the type of player several teams target when it comes to adding a bit more stability and sandpaper to their third pairing before a playoff push.
Add in the security of Peeke being under contract for another season at a $2.75 million cap hit, and Boston could potentially find a team willing to part with a prospect or a second-round pick for him.
Charlie Coyle
The Weymouth native has become a fixture in Boston over the years. But if the Bruins are looking to both free up some cap space ($5.25 million) and/or bring in draft picks or another roster player, Coyle holds plenty of appeal as a big-bodied player who can do a little bit of everything on a deep roster.
It remains to be seen if Coyle will ever replicate the 25-goal, 60-point campaign he submitted last year as a top-six center. But the 32-year-old veteran is everything a Cup contender would seemingly want in a third-line pivot. Coyle is signed through the 2025-26 season, and also has an eight-team no-trade list.
Brandon Carlo
Another familiar fixture in Boston's locker room since 2016, Carlo's stay-at-home profile and ability to anchor a PK also makes him the type of talent that D-zone deficient rosters might hone in on around the trade deadline.
Carlo may not be a bombastic defenseman, but he's a dependable player whose size and stick work often go unnoticed when it comes to snuffing out opposing scoring chances. Carlo's contract ($4.1 million AAV through 2026-27) could further bolster a potential return via trade.
Pavel Zacha
Zacha has been a value add for the Bruins since being acquired via trade in 2022, scoring 116 points over 160 games in his first two full seasons with Boston. This year has been tougher sledding at times for Zacha, but a line featuring him, Pastrnak, and Geekie has caught fire as of late.
Zacha is in the prime of his career (27 years old) and is on an agreeable contract ($4.75 million through 2026-27 season), but the Bruins may be a bit hesitant about moving one of the few steady middle-six forwards they currently hold beyond this year.
Not only should Zacha's contract continue to age well as the cap ceiling continues to soar, but the forward also has a good rapport with his fellow Czech countryman in Pastrnak.
Hampus Lindholm
In an ideal situation, Lindholm remains as part of Boston's ancillary core next to the three heavy hitters in Pastrnak, Swayman, and McAvoy. Before suffering a serious knee injury in November, Lindholm was arguably Boston's best skater this season and was a top-five finalist for the Norris Trophy in 2022-23.
Lindholm's return later this season could be a welcome spark for the Bruins, especially if he helps revive the team's listless power play. But so long as he's healthy, Lindholm is also the type of top-pair, playmaking D that could also land a package of picks -- or an impact player in return.
If the Bruins are serious about augmenting their roster by adding another star like Elias Pettersson, moving a player like Lindholm would make sense in terms of both talent and especially cap-related purposes ($6.5 million AAV).
Justin Brazeau
One of the few pleasant surprises on Boston's roster this season, the big-bodied Brazeau has been a useful asset around the netfront this season, scoring 10 goals and 20 total points over 46 games.
A pending UFA, Brazeau could be retained as a steady bottom-six option for Boston who can pot 15+ goals a season. But Brazeau could also be flipped for a draft pick or as part of a larger package if the Bruins don't want to hand him a larger contract.
Brad Marchand
If the Bruins are ready to punt on the 2024-25 campaign, moving their captain to a contending team could potentially be on the table. Even at 36 years old, Marchand is still a top-six weapon who just about any contender would want to add to their roster.
Moving Marchand could land Boston a first-round pick, a prospect, and even an NHLer on top of it (remember the Rick Nash trade with the Bruins in 2018?).
But if the Bruins are expecting more of a one-year retool instead of a sizable rebuild, Boston may not have the appetite in dealing their captain and overhauling its leadership hierarchy, especially if Marchand returns on a cheaper deal in 2025-26.
Picks/prospects
It might seem counterintuitive for a Bruins team embracing a retool to look at dealing either a young player like Matt Poitras, Mason Lohrei, or Fabian Lysell -- or even a 2025 first-round pick that could end up being in the teens this year.
The Bruins have found themselves in no man's land because of a barren prospect pipeline and a willingness to move first and second-round picks over the years.
As such, the only avenue in which Boston moves picks or younger players this year is if it nets an impact player with term, especially one that can help the team both now -- and especially in the years ahead.
Giving up a first for a player like Taylor Hall, Rickard Rakell, or Yanni Gourde isn't going to cut it. But if it's part of a blockbuster move that brings in someone like Pettersson -- or even a player under contract next year like Joel Farabee or Alex Tuch -- that could entice Boston.