What looked like a disappointing return for the Bruins at the trade deadline might actually become one of the smartest long plays Boston’s front office has made in years.
Bruins fans were furious after Marchand’s trade — but a first-round pick is suddenly in play
When the Boston Bruins announced they had traded Brad Marchand to the Florida Panthers back in March, most fans were stunned.
Not just because it marked the end of a 16-year run for the veteran forward in Boston, but because the return seemed shockingly light.
What Boston received was a conditional 2027 second-round pick.
And the conditions were steep.
To upgrade the pick to a first-rounder, two things needed to happen: the Panthers had to win two rounds in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, and Marchand needed to play in at least 50% of those postseason games.
It sounded like a long shot.
But now, that bet might be paying off.
Florida’s dominant win puts Boston one step closer to a draft day win
The Panthers crushed the Toronto Maple Leafs 6–1 on Tuesday, taking a 3–2 series lead in Round 2.
With Marchand actively playing, Florida is now just one victory away from meeting the conditions tied to the pick.
Should they win Game 6 on Friday, and should Marchand remain in the lineup, the Bruins will receive Florida’s first-round selection in either the 2027 or 2028 NHL Draft.
That’s a massive jump in value, and it completely reshapes how this trade is viewed.
Here’s how the Bruins detailed the deal when it first went down:
The #NHLBruins have acquired a conditional 2027 second-round pick from the Florida Panthers in exchange for Brad Marchand.
Condition: the second-round pick will become a 2027 or a 2028 first-round pick if Florida wins two rounds of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs and Marchand appears in at least 50% of the team’s playoff games.
Why this deal matters for the Bruins’ next chapter
Coming off a rough 2024–25 season, the Bruins are facing serious questions about their direction. They’ve got cap decisions looming, and questions around who stays and who goes.
If they can secure an extra first-round pick, that opens the door for either a key selection or as a trade chip to land impact talent sooner.
Whether Boston uses it to build or to make a splash, Marchand’s postseason could end up helping the team he left behind.
For now, Bruins fans might have one more reason to root against Toronto.
Bruins after dark 
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