The Boston Bruins failed to acquire Kirill Marchenko, instead watching him join one of their biggest rivals, the Toronto Maple Leafs. It was unfortunate that the team couldn't match the Matthew Knies offer, but it remains to be seen whether it would have been worth giving up a high-upside young player in the organization.
The Bruins definitely shouldn't make a panic move to try and match the Leafs' acquisition. However, they still have to consider whether Marchenko makes Toronto that much better. The Bruins currently hold the team's first-round pick for next season, and the Leafs could be an even better team in 2027-28.
If Boston wants to maximize the value of that 2028 first-round pick, they should start looking for a team willing to bite on a trade package. After trading two first-round picks for JJ Peterka, it is clear the Bruins have no problem going all-in on their picks, and one team in particular might be desperate to make a trade.
Red Wings-Bruins could make intriguing trade partners
The Detroit Red Wings are a mess right now, with front-office issues, a trade request from former captain Dylan Larkin, and a holdout from Simon Edvinsson. Shawn Horcoff is tasked with cleaning it all up, but it's going to be a difficult first job as interim general manager.
Larkin is starting to open up his no-trade list, as the team hasn't been able to reach a deal with his preferred destinations through the summer. The Bruins aren't reported to be on his list just yet, but the Red Wings' ask for him is starting to look like something Boston can take care of.
The Red Wings don't want to make a trade that's all futures. They want a young center who can step into the lineup right away, and the uncertainty of Matthew Poitras' spot makes me wonder whether a Poitras, Mason Lohrei, and Leafs' first-round pick deal could get the Red Wings close to biting at this point in negotiations.
The Bruins landed a young winger in Peterka with two first-round picks. It would take more to pry Edvinsson away from the Red Wings, but if they really can't agree on a contract, Boston may have the pieces to do it.
Two first-round picks would be a starter, but would the Red Wings then be willing to take a player like Poitras and/or Lohrei to sweeten the pot? This wouldn't be an overpayment for the Bruins, as the 23-year-old Edvinsson would be a perfect partner for Charlie McAvoy as a 6-foot-6, left-shot, two-way defender.
The Bruins could hang on to the unprotected pick and hope Toronto is no better now than they were last season. However, that is looking less and less likely.
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