The Boston Bruins [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/boston-bruins] will be a team to watch incredibly closely this off-season. While they made the playoffs in 2025-26, it is clear that they need to make some real upgrades if they hope to be true contenders next season. With this year's free agency class not being the strongest, the Bruins' best bet to upgrade their group could be through the trade market. Because of this, let's look at three Bruins dream trade targets that could help their chances of being among the top teams next season if acquired. MATTHEW KNIES, TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS The Bruins could use another star winger in their top six. When looking at trade candidates around the NHL, Toronto Maple Leafs star winger Matthew Knies stands out in a major way. He would give the Bruins a much-needed power forward in their top six if acquired and would instantly become one of their best players. He is also a 23-year-old forward with a $7.75 million cap hit until 2030-31, which undoubtedly adds to his appeal. With the Bruins being big rivals with the Maple Leafs, they would need to give up a lot to land a star forward like Knies. However, it would be worth it, as the Maple Leafs winger is a high-impact winger who has the potential to get even better. In 79 games this season with Toronto, he posted 23 goals, 66 points, and 152 hits. MATHEW BARZAL, NEW YORK ISLANDERS The Bruins need a true first-line center, and New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders] star Mathew Barzal would provide them with just that if acquired. The 29-year-old forward is an elite playmaker and could be the perfect center for superstar winger David Pastrnak to play with. Barzal just had another strong season for the Islanders, posting 19 goals, 53 assists, and 72 points in 81 games. He also recorded at least 80 points twice in his career, with the most recent time being in 2023-24. With numbers, he would be a major pickup for the Bruins if brought in. DYLAN LARKIN, DETROIT RED WINGS The Bruins are not on Detroit Red Wings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings] star Dylan Larkin's reported trade list, but if that ends up changing, they would need to make a serious run at the 29-year-old center. Like Barzal, he would offer the Bruins a much-needed solution for their first-line center problem. Larkin appeared in 74 games this season with the Red Wings, where he posted 34 goals, 33 assists, and 67 points. He has also hit the 70-point mark three times in his career, with the most recent time being in 2024-25. With this, he would give the Bruins a true star center to work with if brought in. RECENT BRUINS NEWS Former Bruin Scores Monster Goal In Game 6 Of Stanley Cup Final [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/boston-bruins/latest-news/former-bruin-scores-monster-goal-in-game-6-of-stanley-cup-finals] 5 Boston Bruins Who Could Be Traded To Free Up Cap Space [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/boston-bruins/latest-news/5-boston-bruins-who-could-be-traded-to-free-up-cap-space] Bruins Have Their Ideal Trade Target In This Canucks Defenseman [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/boston-bruins/latest-news/bruins-have-their-ideal-trade-target-in-this-canucks-defenseman] Bruins Have Dream First-Round Target In 104-Point WHL Star [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/boston-bruins/latest-news/bruins-have-dream-first-round-pick-target-in-104-point-whl-star]
