The Boston Bruins are entering an era of transition. After trading Brad Marchand to the Florida Panthers in March, all three of the team’s stars from the 2010s and early 2020s are gone. Now, the team is looking at adding new stars, potentially as soon as 2026, with a loaded NHL Free Agency class headlined by Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid.
The Bruins certainly need high-end talent. They have David Pastrnak and Charlie McAvoy on the roster. Boston is hoping goalie Jeremy Swayman can return to form, as well. Beyond these names, though, the star power isn’t quite high.
Top name free agents, such as Marchand, did not hit the open market in 2025. This fate could repeat itself next summer, rendering all speculation redundant. However, there’s also a chance players go after major paydays with a rising salary cap. And that’s where the Bruins could strike.
One NHL writer believes they should call their shot. Bleacher Report writer Erik Beaston believes Boston should go for broke and swing a league-changing trade for McDavid before he hits free agency next summer.
“The Bruins need a top-six center and there is no better option in the game than McDavid, so if Sweeney and the front office are intent on attacking the free agent market next summer at the expense of enhancing the roster this offseason, eyeing up one of the greatest of all time softens the blow of what may end up being another down year,” Beaston wrote.
Bruins Could be Eyeing up 2026 Free Agency Class
Harry How/Getty ImagesThe Boston Bruins plan to be proactive in chasing star talent before 2026 NHL Free Agency.
The idea that Boston is looking forward to the upcoming free agency class isn’t entirely unfounded. The Bruins handed out term to one player this summer. Tanner Jeannot received a five-year contract at a $3.4 million cap hit. Beyond him, the Bruins were quite resistant to giving out long-term contracts.
This may be by design. Sportsnet NHL insider Elliotte Friedman recapped every team’s offseason during the July 6 episode of the 32 Thoughts Podcast. He didn’t namedrop McDavid, to be fair. But Friedman noticed Boston’s approach to the offseason, and he believes the cap flexibility it brings is the point.
“If some of these guys who are supposed to be free agents next year (reach free agency), whether they get one or not, I think Boston wants to have the opportunity to take a shot at one of those guys,” Friedman said. “So, if you’ll notice, they didn’t really do much to hamstring themselves in the future. They got Arvidsson on a one-year deal. Traded for him, gave up a late-round pick, one-year deal. Aside from Jeannot, they didn’t take any massive swings,” Friedman said.
Connor McDavid Trade Remains Quite Unlikely
Of course, there is a major elephant in the room. Even if McDavid does not resign with the Oilers, a trade involving the Edmonton captain is quite unlikely. A team could be trading for a few months of his services, or only his rights. Still, it does not appear likely.
A trade involving McDavid would figuratively shatter the league. We are not talking about an elite player. We are talking about potentially the best player of this generation. The Oilers captain already has 1000+ points despite having just completed his 10th career season. He had the greatest modern postseason run in 2024, scoring 42 points and setting the postseason assist record.
Teams like the Bruins would give anything for this sort of player. However, there may not be a trade package out there that makes it worth Edmonton’s while. Especially if they want to make the Stanley Cup Final for a third year in a row.
The Bruins will likely wait until NHL Free Agency. Boston does risk missing out on him if he re-signs in Edmonton. But if he hits the open market, he could be the next superstar leading the Bruins into another golden age on the ice.
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