Bruins confronting harsh reality as trade deadline approaches

As the Boston Bruins continue to slip out of the Eastern Conference playoff picture, an unfortunate truth is emerging on Causeway Street.

If they were to sell off pieces to true Stanley Cup contenders seeking rentals, no player would return more value than captain Brad Marchand.

Any trade talks surrounding Marchand remain pure speculation at this point, as opposed to any concrete reporting. But it's the uncomfortable reality of a struggling team with a star player on an expiring contract. Media folks turn an eye your way.

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman is the latest to bring up Marchand as a trade possibility ahead of the March 7 NHL trade deadline, as part of his newest "32 Thoughts" podcast with Kyle Bukauskas at Sportsnet (Bruins talk begins at the 23:07 mark). Friedman has nothing to actually report, to be clear. But a recent column by Fluto Shinzawa at The Athletic inspired him to 'ask around' about the idea of the Bruins eventually trading Marchand.

It seems that there's only one way that would even become a possibility, and that's if the Bruins continue to slide backward in the standings, and become true sellers at the deadline.

"I think [Marchand trade talk] only becomes a thing this year if Boston kind of falls out of the race," Friedman said. "Right now [on Friday], they're out of the playoffs. And their math isn't great, either. They've played more games than anybody else in the race. There's lots of time. They've still got 29 games left in the season. But if Boston takes on water, I'm really gonna be curious to see where this goes.

"There was a time this year where I didn't think there was a chance that Marchand was gonna be out, and now I think it's not as certain, depending on what happens here."

It's worth noting that Marchand himself has specifically called out Friedman for inaccurate (possibly straight-up false) reporting earlier this season. Back in October, Friedman reported that Marchand and the Bruins were close to a contract extension. Three months later, no extension, so it obviously wasn't "close," if it's even on the table.

“Elliotte likes talking about me this week, eh?" Marchand said, after the report came out. "I mentioned this before. I’m not big about talking about contract stuff in the media. I’m not going to do it. But, I mean, that report from Elliotte is false, but I am not going to talk [about] my contract stuff to the media. But if I was signing a three year extension, it’d be signed. Clearly, Elliotte is just wrong there. So that’s about it.”

Extension, trade, who knows what is more likely at this point - or if anything happens at all with Marchand. But this is what happens when you have a wealth of playoff experience, you're on pace for 62 points, and your team is dangerously close to missing the playoffs entirely. You become the subject of trade speculation. Even if it's just an idea, a thought, a comment not based in reality.

That's how bad it's gotten for the Bruins this season. We're collectively left wondering if it would be best to see what they can get for their captain.

Matt Dolloff is a writer and digital content producer for 98.5 The Sports Hub. Read all of his articles here.