Boston Bruins fans should be preparing for this player's eventual trade exit

Rumors are flying, and things are likely going to start picking up with the NHL trade deadline inching closer at 3 p.m. EST on Friday. One team that is going to have a lot of eyes on them is the Boston Bruins and general manager Don Sweeney.

Last season at the deadline, Boston's GM was a seller, and despite being just a couple of points out of an Eastern Conference wild-card spot, he sold some key players. Those moves are paying off this season with the Black and Gold holding down the final Eastern Conference playoff spot. All signs point to Sweeney making some moves, but just how many remains to be seen.

Expect some moves, but don't expect Sweeney to part ways with some key assets. One name that has recently popped up as a potential being dangled by the Bruins is Matthew Poitras. Last week, according to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, Sweeney was dangling Poitras in an attempt to get a rather big deal done. Whether that ends up happening or not remains to be seen. However, Fluto Shinzawa of The Athletic believes he'll be moved by Friday mid-afternoon.

The Athletic predicts Bruins to trade prospect Matthew Poitras

Shinzawa, predicting the Bruins trading Poitras, hints that a rather big deal might be coming. Sweeney isn't going to trade Poitras for a rental, or he's just not going unload him in a trade just to unload him. There will likely be somewhat of a sizable deal coming if he's moved.

Now, just what the deal could be is anyone's guess. Sure, Boston would like Robert Thomas from the St. Louis Blues. Former Boston coach Jim Montgomery, now behind the Blues bench, knows Poitras very well from his time in Boston. That doesn't mean anything will happen there, but it is something that is hard to ignore.

Poitras once seemed like a can't-miss prospect, and now his name is being floated about in potential trade rumors. The next couple of days are going to be big for the Black and Gold.