The Bruins currently sit on the cusp of a playoff spot, but they have played more games than their opponents, and Brad Marchand's name has come up in trade talks.

As far-fetched as it may seem at this point for the Bruins to trade Marchand, it’s not totally out of the realm of possibility. Bruins fans would no doubt hate it, but it could help the future of the organization, and also allow Marchand a chance at another Cup.

Boston Bruins forward Charlie Coyle sent interim coach Joe Sacco a strong message about one of the youngest promises on the roster, who plays alongside him and Brad Marchand.

The Bruins must determine if a trade is worth the fallout of trading one of the club’s best players of all time.

If the Bruins do opt for a mid-season retool this year, Boston could have several appealing trade chip in place.

The Bruins defenseman has been working his way back from a lower-body injury suffered Nov. 12 in St. Louis with lots of off-ice rehab sessions and, lately, some solo on-ice workouts with skills coach John McLean.

Boston Bruins left wing Cole Koepke (45) collides with Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in the crease during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes) AP

The Bruins took a short-lived 1-0 lead on Mason Lohrei’s goal in the first period, but the Sabres rattled off the next four goals to ice it.

After two solid, well-structured wins at home over Ottawa and Colorado, the road version of the B’s showed up in Buffalo and were steamrolled by Tage Thompson and JJ Peterka hat tricks, 7-2. The B’s fell to 9-14-3 away from the Garden and now have a minus-25 goal differential, neither of which is a good sign for the club’s long-term health.

For this matchup against the Sabres, the Bruins' forward group will be getting a boost. This is because forward Cole Koepke will be back in the lineup after missing each of the Bruins' last five games.