While the Boston Bruins have had a busy off-season, it is clear that they should not be done yet. When looking at their current roster, it is fair to argue that they could use another skilled forward for their top six. 

Due to this, let's look at four trade candidates who the Bruins should seriously consider making a push for before the 2025-26 season is here. 

Mason McTavish, Anaheim Ducks, C

Anaheim Ducks forward Mason McTavish remains a restricted free agent (RFA) at this juncture of the off-season. Due to this, the young forward has been the subject of trade rumors this summer, and he is precisely the kind of player that the Bruins should target if he is officially made available by the Ducks. 

It is no secret that the Bruins need some serious help at the center position, and McTavish would provide them with just that if acquired. This is because he is already a legitimate top-six center at this stage of his career and still has the potential to improve, as he is only 22 years old. 

In 76 games this past season with the Ducks, McTavish set new career highs with 22 goals, 30 assists, 52 points, and 70 hits. With numbers like these, the 6-foot-1 would have the potential to offer the Bruins more offense and grit if acquired. Thus, if the Ducks are willing to move him, the Bruins should consider making a push for the 2021 third-overall pick, even if it would take a sizeable offer to get him. 

Marco Rossi, Minnesota Wild, C

Marco Rossi is another interesting player who is still an RFA. Like McTavish, his name has been floating around the rumor mill often this summer, and this has been the case for quite some time. With the Bruins' top six needing a boost, a young forward like Rossi could make a lot of sense for them. 

Rossi took a nice step forward in his development this past season with the Wild, as he set new career highs with 24 goals, 36 assists, and 60 points in 82 games. This was after he had 21 goals and 40 points in 82 games with the Wild during the 2023-24 campaign. Thus, Rossi has shown that he has the potential to be an impactful offensive contributor, so he would be a nice pickup for a Bruins club that needs just that

Another appealing factor about Rossi is that he is still only 23 years old. With this, he would have the potential to be a nice long-term part of the Bruins' plans if they acquired him from the Wild. However, the price to acquire Rossi would not be cheap, as he is a young forward coming off a strong season. 

Jared McCann, Seattle Kraken, LW/C

Jared McCann was a popular name in the rumor mill leading up to the 2025 NHL trade deadline, and this has only continued this off-season. Given his skill, he would be another significant pickup for the Bruins if they acquired him. 

McCann is coming off another strong season with the Kraken, as he recorded 22 goals, 39 assists, 61 points, and a plus-8 rating in 82 games with the Pacific Division club. This was the third season in a row where he had at least 60 points, so he has been a very impactful and consistent offensive contributor over the last few years. Thus, he would be a major pickup for the Bruins' top six if acquired. This is especially so when noting that he can play both on the wing and down the middle. 

McCann's contract is also a good one, as he has a reasonable $5 million cap hit until the completion of the 2026-27 campaign. As a result of this, he would be more than a one-year rental for the Bruins if acquired, which only adds to his appeal. 

Yegor Chinakhov, Columbus Blue Jackets, RW

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Yegor Chinakhov is looking for a change of scenery, and it would make sense for the Bruins to pursue him. While he has not proven himself as a legitimate top-six forward at this stage of his career, he has shown promise and can provide decent secondary scoring. 

During this past season with the Blue Jackets, Chinakhov recorded seven goals to go along with 15 points in 30 games. This was after the 2020 first-round set career highs with 16 goals, 13 assists, and 29 points in 53 games during the 2023-24 campaign with the Blue Jackets. These numbers are solid, and with Chinakhov being only 24 years old, he still has time to improve. 

Overall, if the Bruins landed Chinakhov, he would at least provide their middle six with a bit of a boost. He also has an affordable $2.1 million cap hit until the end of next season, which is certainly fair for what he provides. 

Why Bruins Should Feel Optimistic About 2025-26 Season Given how this past season went for the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/boston-bruins">Boston Bruins</a>, it is understandable that many have their doubts about the Original Six club heading into the 2025-26 season. This is especially so when noting that they traded away several former core players at the 2025 NHL trade deadline, including Brad Marchand, Charlie Coyle, Brandon Carlo, and Trent Frederic.

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