The possibility of the Boston Bruins trading Brad Marchand seems unlikely, according to Frank Seravalli’s comments on Oilers Nation. He expressed confusion about the rumors surrounding Marchand’s potential trade, comparing them to speculative mock trades that are often created without any real foundation. Seravalli emphasized that he does not foresee the Bruins trading their veteran forward, explaining that the rumors seem to have emerged out of nowhere. He noted that, while it’s possible the Bruins might reconsider his future if they fall out of playoff contention, they haven’t reached that point yet, and even then, trading Marchand—who is a key figure in their organization—seems improbable. He also stated that Marchand likely wouldn’t fit into the Oilers’ plans, further distancing the likelihood of a trade involving the forward.
In contrast, there’s talk about the Utah Hockey Club, a team that is not expected to make the playoffs this season but is looking to improve its roster for the future. According to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, Utah is positioning itself to make significant moves before the trade deadline and is planning for the offseason, with the goal of spending money to strengthen the team. They are particularly interested in adding top talent for the 2023-24 season, and Mikko Rantanen and Mitch Marner are two major players they are eyeing if they become available on the open market come July 1st. With more than $26.5 million in projected cap space for the next season, Utah has the flexibility to make moves without worrying about re-signing key players. The team’s general manager, Bill Armstrong, is also reportedly considering moving several of their pending unrestricted free agents, including Alexander Kerfoot, Nick Bjugstad, Ian Cole, and Olli Maatta, as part of their efforts to reshape the roster for the future.
