NHL Rumors: Bruins 'Plotting Something Big' Ahead of 2024 Trade Deadline

The Boston Bruins reportedly could make a significant splash ahead of Friday's NHL trade deadline.

According to ESPN's Emily Kaplan, sources have indicated that the Bruins are "plotting something big" in an effort to cement themselves as Stanley Cup contenders.

Boston has the second-most points in the Eastern Conference with 87, but it has struggled since the All-Star break, going 5-4-6.

ESPN's Kevin Weekes reported Wednesday that he had heard the possibility of Boston being involved in a three-team trade with the Vancouver Canucks and Pittsburgh Penguins.

In that scenario, forward Jake Guentzel would go from the Penguins to the Canucks, forward Jake DeBrusk would go from the Bruins to the Penguins and forward Elias Lindholm would go from the Canucks to the Bruins.

Lindholm, 29, had a career-high 42 goals and 82 points two seasons ago with the Calgary Flames. Calgary traded him to Vancouver this season, and in 64 games split between the Flames and Canucks, the 2024 All-Star has recorded 13 goals and 25 assists for 38 points.

The 27-year-old DeBrusk has spent his entire seven-year NHL career in Boston, and he enjoyed a career year last season, finishing with 27 goals and 23 assists for 50 points.

In 62 games this season, DeBrusk has 14 goals and 15 assists for 29 points, which isn't far off from Lindholm's production.

Given that swapping DeBrusk for Lindholm would be a slight upgrade at best, it seems likely that whatever rumors Kaplan is hearing are related to additional moves.

Last season, the Bruins won the Presidents' Trophy with an NHL-record 65 wins and 135 points. Despite their dominance, they were active at the trade deadline, adding forward Tyler Bertuzzi and defenseman Dmitry Orlov.

The moves did not pay dividends, as Boston was shocked in the first round of the playoffs by the Florida Panthers, who went on to reach the Stanley Cup Final.

Boston is looking to avoid a similar fate this season, and given how the team has played lately, some trades may be necessary.

The Bruins lost their top two centers to retirement during the offseason in Patrice Bergeron and David Krejčí, and it can be argued that they have not been adequately replaced.

Charlie Coyle, Pavel Zacha, Trent Frederic and Morgan Geekie have stepped up, and all of them are on pace for career years, but none are true No. 1 center material.

If the Bruins can find a way to acquire a top center to complement their top wingers in David Pastrňák and Brad Marchand, it could go a long way toward putting them in the championship mix.