This Amazing Bruins Trade Is Only Getting Better As It Ages

The 2024-25 season was a complete nightmare for the Boston Bruins. It led to them trading away several of their former core players ahead of the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline, including Brad Marchand, Brandon Carlo, Charlie Coyle, and Trent Frederic. 

However, another player who the Bruins gave up that season was Justin Brazeau. While Brazeau was a solid player during his time in Boston, it is clear trading him was a great call for the Bruins. 

This is because the Bruins acquired breakout forward Marat Khusnutdinov as part of the deal. 

The Bruins sent Brazeau to the Wild in exchange for Khusnutdinov, Jakub Lauko, and a 2026 sixth-round pick. While Lauko's second stint as a Bruin ended that following off-season, landing Khusnutdinov made this trade a complete win for Boston alone.

Now, the trade is only getting better for the Bruins after they signed Khusnutdinov to a three-year, $11.85 million contract extension earlier this week. 

Khusnutdinov has become a nice part of the Bruins' roster and is set to continue to be for multiple more seasons. Furthermore, at just 24 years old, he still has the potential to improve his game further. 

As for Brazeau, he is still an impactful top-nine power forward. However, his time in Minnesota ended following the 2024-25 season, and he is now in his second season with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Thus, the Wild giving up Khusnutdinov for a few months of Brazeau is a deal that they probably wish they could take back.