The Toronto Maple Leafs are in need of forward assistance due to a number of significant injuries. They are without star center Auston Matthews, key forwards Matthew Knies, Max Domi, and Max Pacioretty, as well as depth players David Kampf and Calle Jarnkrok. Matthews has just begun skating after being sidelined for several weeks, Knies is listed as day-to-day, Domi has been on injured reserve since Wednesday, and Pacioretty, Kampf, and Jarnkrok have all been placed on long-term injured reserve, with no clear timeline for their return.

In the Atlantic Division, the Boston Bruins have struggled to meet the high expectations set for them before the season. Their offense has been inconsistent, and their usually reliable goaltending has not been enough to compensate for defensive weaknesses. As a result, head coach Jim Montgomery was dismissed on Tuesday, and if the team doesn’t turn things around soon, they may look to trade some of their more valuable assets.

For the Toronto Maple Leafs, who have often lacked depth due to their star players each earning over $10 million per year, there are a few Bruins forwards that could be appealing to general manager Brad Treliving to help address their current injury crisis.

**Trent Frederic**

Trent Frederic is in the final year of his two-year, $2.3 million AAV contract. The 26-year-old power forward has 50 goals and 50 assists in 301 career games, carving out a reputation as an excellent third-line energy player. Over the past four seasons, Frederic has consistently delivered solid performance, maintaining an expected goals share (xGF%) of 50% or higher in each campaign, including 53.54% in 2021-22 and 54.60% in 2022-23. Additionally, the Bruins have generally dominated high-danger scoring chances (HDCF%) with Frederic on the ice.

Frederic could offer the Maple Leafs a more effective version of Ryan Reaves, the gritty fourth-line player known for his physicality but limited contributions beyond occasional fights. At 6-foot-3 and 221 pounds, Frederic has accumulated nearly 300 penalty minutes in as many games and is well-versed in dropping the gloves, with 10 career fighting majors.

If the Leafs pursued Frederic, they could replace or demote Reaves, bringing in a player with a similar aggressive style but with the added benefit of contributing offensively. However, Frederic is likely a valued asset within the Bruins organization, meaning he wouldn’t come cheaply. A fair acquisition price might be a 2025 second-round pick or possibly a later pick along with a prospect with NHL potential.

**Morgan Geekie**

After a breakout season in 2023-24, where he tallied 17 goals and 39 points, Morgan Geekie has struggled to start this year. With just one goal and four points in his first 17 games, he’s on pace for only 19 points over a full season. Despite the slow start, his underlying numbers have been strong, ranking second among regular Bruins players in expected goals share (xGF%) at an impressive 56.26%. He also leads the team in high-danger scoring chances percentage (HDCF%) at 60.71% and has been solid defensively, allowing the second-fewest expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60) on the team.

Maple Leafs Can Trade for These Bruins Forwards

The Toronto Maple Leafs are facing a significant injury crisis that has left them short-handed up front. Key players such as Auston Matthews, Matthew Knies, Max Domi, Max Pacioretty, David Kampf, and Calle Jarnkrok are all sidelined. Matthews has just returned to skating after a lengthy absence, Knies is day-to-day, Domi has been on injured reserve since Wednesday, and Pacioretty, Kampf, and Jarnkrok are all on long-term injured reserve with no clear return date in sight.

Meanwhile, the Boston Bruins, who were expected to contend for top honors in the Atlantic Division, have faltered out of the gate. Struggling to score, and with their usually reliable goaltending unable to mask defensive lapses, the Bruins recently parted ways with head coach Jim Montgomery. As they try to turn things around, the team could look to sell off some of their more valuable assets.

With the Leafs facing depth issues and cap constraints—partially due to their high-paid superstar forwards—there are a few Bruins forwards that could catch general manager Brad Treliving’s eye as potential trade targets to help cover the current injury woes.

Trent Frederic

Trent Frederic, in the final year of his two-year, $2.3 million AAV contract, has established himself as a strong third-line energy player. The 26-year-old power forward has 50 goals and 50 assists in 301 career games. Over the past four seasons, he’s consistently posted solid underlying numbers, including an expected goals share (xGF%) above 50% in every season, with 53.54% in 2021-22 and 54.60% in 2022-23. He’s also been a key part of the Bruins’ ability to control high-danger scoring chances (HDCF%).

Frederic offers a more offensive-minded version of Ryan Reaves. Standing 6-foot-3 and 221 pounds, he’s amassed nearly 300 penalty minutes in as many games, and has 10 career fighting majors. If the Leafs were to trade for Frederic, they could opt to bench or trade Reaves, replacing him with a player who offers a similar physical presence but with the added bonus of contributing offensively.

However, Frederic is likely a valuable piece for the Bruins, making him a somewhat pricey acquisition. A second-round pick in 2025, or possibly a later pick combined with an NHL-caliber prospect, seems like a fair cost for the 26-year-old power forward.

Morgan Geekie

After a breakout season in 2023-24 with 17 goals and 39 points, Morgan Geekie has struggled to start the 2024-25 campaign. He has just one goal and four points in his first 17 games, which would translate to a modest 19 points over a full 82-game season. Despite this, his underlying metrics have been strong. Geekie ranks second on the Bruins in expected goals share (xGF%) with an impressive 56.26% and leads the team in high-danger scoring chances (HDCF%) at 60.71%. Defensively, he’s also been solid, allowing the second-fewest expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60) on the roster.

Geekie’s struggles this season are likely due to bad luck, as evidenced by his PDO—a measure of a player’s luck in terms of team shooting percentage and save percentage at 5v5. His PDO is an unusually low 0.953, suggesting that he’s due for a significant production boost. At just 26 years old, Geekie has shown that his breakout performance last season was not a fluke, and his current slump could present an opportunity for the Leafs.

Given his track record, a third-round pick would likely be enough to acquire Geekie, though his potential for a bounce-back year could make him an appealing target.

Bruins Depth Options

Another intriguing option is **Justin Brazeau**, a 26-year-old undrafted forward who has impressed with his advanced stats. He leads the Bruins in expected goals share (xGF%) with 56.51%, scoring chance share (SCF%) with 60.29%, and high-danger scoring chances (HDCF%) with 60.49%. Standing at 6-foot-6 and 227 pounds, Brazeau uses his size to create space in the offensive zone, which could be an asset for the Leafs, who have leaned more on the cycle game this season.

Despite his strong underlying numbers, Brazeau’s limited NHL experience—he’s played just 39 career games—means his price would likely be lower than more established players. A mid-round pick could be enough to secure the physical, production-driven forward.

With the Maple Leafs facing several injuries and a lack of depth, a trade for one of these Bruins forwards could help provide some immediate relief. Each player offers unique strengths that could complement Toronto’s existing roster, while also being available at a reasonable price given Boston’s current struggles.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are facing a significant injury crisis that has left them short-handed up front. Key players such as Auston Matthews, Matthew Knies, Max Domi, Max Pacioretty, David Kampf, and Calle Jarnkrok are all sidelined. Matthews has just returned to skating after a lengthy absence, Knies is day-to-day, Domi has been on injured reserve since Wednesday, and Pacioretty, Kampf, and Jarnkrok are all on long-term injured reserve with no clear return date in sight.

Meanwhile, the Boston Bruins, who were expected to contend for top honors in the Atlantic Division, have faltered out of the gate. Struggling to score, and with their usually reliable goaltending unable to mask defensive lapses, the Bruins recently parted ways with head coach Jim Montgomery. As they try to turn things around, the team could look to sell off some of their more valuable assets.

With the Leafs facing depth issues and cap constraints—partially due to their high-paid superstar forwards—there are a few Bruins forwards that could catch general manager Brad Treliving’s eye as potential trade targets to help cover the current injury woes.

Trent Frederic

Trent Frederic, in the final year of his two-year, $2.3 million AAV contract, has established himself as a strong third-line energy player. The 26-year-old power forward has 50 goals and 50 assists in 301 career games. Over the past four seasons, he’s consistently posted solid underlying numbers, including an expected goals share (xGF%) above 50% in every season, with 53.54% in 2021-22 and 54.60% in 2022-23. He’s also been a key part of the Bruins’ ability to control high-danger scoring chances (HDCF%).

Frederic offers a more offensive-minded version of Ryan Reaves. Standing 6-foot-3 and 221 pounds, he’s amassed nearly 300 penalty minutes in as many games, and has 10 career fighting majors. If the Leafs were to trade for Frederic, they could opt to bench or trade Reaves, replacing him with a player who offers a similar physical presence but with the added bonus of contributing offensively.

However, Frederic is likely a valuable piece for the Bruins, making him a somewhat pricey acquisition. A second-round pick in 2025, or possibly a later pick combined with an NHL-caliber prospect, seems like a fair cost for the 26-year-old power forward.

Morgan Geekie

After a breakout season in 2023-24 with 17 goals and 39 points, Morgan Geekie has struggled to start the 2024-25 campaign. He has just one goal and four points in his first 17 games, which would translate to a modest 19 points over a full 82-game season. Despite this, his underlying metrics have been strong. Geekie ranks second on the Bruins in expected goals share (xGF%) with an impressive 56.26% and leads the team in high-danger scoring chances (HDCF%) at 60.71%. Defensively, he’s also been solid, allowing the second-fewest expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60) on the roster.

Geekie’s struggles this season are likely due to bad luck, as evidenced by his PDO—a measure of a player’s luck in terms of team shooting percentage and save percentage at 5v5. His PDO is an unusually low 0.953, suggesting that he’s due for a significant production boost. At just 26 years old, Geekie has shown that his breakout performance last season was not a fluke, and his current slump could present an opportunity for the Leafs.

Given his track record, a third-round pick would likely be enough to acquire Geekie, though his potential for a bounce-back year could make him an appealing target.

Bruins Depth Options

Another intriguing option is **Justin Brazeau**, a 26-year-old undrafted forward who has impressed with his advanced stats. He leads the Bruins in expected goals share (xGF%) with 56.51%, scoring chance share (SCF%) with 60.29%, and high-danger scoring chances (HDCF%) with 60.49%. Standing at 6-foot-6 and 227 pounds, Brazeau uses his size to create space in the offensive zone, which could be an asset for the Leafs, who have leaned more on the cycle game this season.

Despite his strong underlying numbers, Brazeau’s limited NHL experience—he’s played just 39 career games—means his price would likely be lower than more established players. A mid-round pick could be enough to secure the physical, production-driven forward.

With the Maple Leafs facing several injuries and a lack of depth, a trade for one of these Bruins forwards could help provide some immediate relief. Each player offers unique strengths that could complement Toronto’s existing roster, while also being available at a reasonable price given Boston’s current struggles.

Cole Koepke was a quietly strong addition for the Bruins on the opening day of free agency this summer. After spending just 26 games with the Tampa Bay Lightning, who drafted him in the sixth round of the 2018 NHL Draft, he was given a chance to contribute to Boston’s bottom six and has performed well. Though his time on ice last season was limited—only nine games with an average of less than seven minutes per game—his underlying stats were solid, posting a 52.96% expected goals for percentage (xGF%).

This season, Koepke has continued to impress in a larger role, with a 53.03% xGF% while averaging just over 11 minutes per game. He has recorded eight points in 21 games and holds the team’s best plus-minus at +8 (for those who value that stat). Given his limited NHL experience and lack of a high draft pedigree, the Maple Leafs could likely acquire the 26-year-old for a mid-round pick, which would provide an upgrade to their fourth line.

Time for the Bruins to Sell

As tough as it may be for Bruins fans to accept, their championship window has likely closed after over a decade of success, despite some optimism in the last two seasons. The team has noticeable weaknesses throughout its lineup, and the goaltending hasn’t been able to cover up those flaws with elite play. If the Bruins are to make the playoffs this season, it would require their goaltending tandem to replicate the level of play they showed during their record-breaking 2022-23 campaign. Otherwise, this team just isn’t built for a playoff run.

If I were GM Don Sweeney, I would start moving assets to accumulate draft picks for the future. Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs are atop the Atlantic Division and tied for sixth in the NHL in points percentage, making it an ideal time for them to explore moves that address their own needs, with the Bruins being a team that could provide potential solutions.