The Boston Bruins are hurtling toward one last kick at the playoff can with their current core. The group led by David Pastrnak and Charlie McAvoy will need to get as much support as possible in order to make one last deep playoff run.
Otherwise, failing to make the playoffs again in 2025-26 could unleash a rebuild in Beantown. That scenario would be disastrous with players like Pastrnak and McAvoy still in their prime years.
That’s why the Bruins will need to beef up every part of their lineup. And the blue line is no exception. So, adding coveted defenseman Mario Ferraro from the San Jose Sharks could be a great way to bolster the team’s chances of making it back to the playoffs.
Here’s a look at this novel trade theory:
Bruins get:
Mario Ferraro, D
Sharks get:
Andrew Peeke, D
Fabian Lysell, F
2026 first-round pick
In Ferraro, the Bruins get a 26-year-old blueliner who could play on the top-pairing with Charlie McAvoy. As a left-shot, he’s the ideal complement to McAvoy, a right-shot. Ferraro is a solid defender who can also move the puck. That’s something the Bruins cannot pass up.
As for the return, Andrew Peeke is a veteran depth defenseman. The Bruins will need to move a defenseman to make room for Ferraro. So, Peeke could be the guy to go. Lysell has been a sought-after prospect. He could play a meaningful role for the Bruins, but he seems a couple of years away from making the team.
As for the first-round pick, the Bruins have two. As such, the club could move the one belonging to the Toronto Maple Leafs. That pick came over in the Brandon Carlo trade at last year’s trade deadline.
Ferraro Could Be Great Fit for Bruins
The Bruins still have the makings of a solid core that could compete for a playoff spot this season. That core is hoping to make last season look like an aberration. They want to make it seem as if 2024-25 was just a down year that contending teams tend to have from time to time.
But Pastrnak, McAvoy, and Jeremy Swayman can’t do it alone. They’ll need to get as much help as possible. That’s why adding a high-end blue liner to pair with McAvoy makes the most sense.
As it stands, Daily Faceoff projects Hampus Lindholm as McAvoy’s partner on the Bruins’ blue line. Lindholm is coming off a tough season in which he faced a significant injury. Lindholm has said he’s recovered and ready to roll this season.
But there’s always a chance that he may not be ready to go. Therefore, adding Ferraro could solve the need to find a solid partner for Charlie McAvoy.
Boston Capitalizes on Sharks’ Need to Clear Roster Spots
The San Jose Sharks could be looking to clear up roster spots this season. They have an influx of young defensemen coming up the pipeline. Blueliners like Sam Dickinson, Noah Beck, and Jake Furlong could be joining Shakir Mukhamadullin and Jack Thompson on what could become a highly talented, young D-core. That prospect makes trading Ferraro to the Bruins a no-brainer.
Meanwhile, the Sharks will be looking to sell high on Ferraro, especially if he is unwilling to re-sign in San Jose. He’ll be a UFA at the end of this season. So, if the Sharks feel Ferraro wants to test the free-agent market next summer, they could sell now, while they can still fetch a solid return.
Bruins Get Coveted Blueliner in Novel Trade Theory