Bruins Unlikely to Benefit from Acquiring Rangers' Trocheck

Boston's surprising season has them in playoff position, but adding the veteran center may not be the right move.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The Boston Bruins have been one of the NHL's surprise teams this season, rebounding from a last-place finish in their division last year to currently hold a playoff spot. With the trade deadline approaching, there has been speculation the Bruins could pursue Rangers center Vincent Trocheck. However, the article argues that acquiring the 32-year-old Trocheck, who is under contract through 2029, would be an expensive move that may not significantly improve the Bruins' roster or their chances of a deep playoff run.

Why it matters

The Bruins have overcome the retirements of longtime centers Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci to put themselves in playoff position this season. Adding a high-priced veteran like Trocheck could disrupt the team's chemistry and may not be worth the cost in terms of assets given up.

The details

Trocheck is the Rangers' third-leading scorer this season with 12 goals and 24 assists in 43 games. He had his best NHL season in 2023-24 with 25 goals and 52 assists. However, at 32 years old, there are questions about whether he can sustain that level of production. The Bruins have seen solid play from their current centers, Elias Lindholm and Pavel Zacha, who are both dealing with short-term injuries.

  • The NHL trade deadline is March 6, 2026.

The players

Vincent Trocheck

A 32-year-old center for the New York Rangers who is under contract through the 2028-29 season.

Marco Sturm

The head coach of the Boston Bruins who has helped the team rebound this season.

Don Sweeney

The general manager of the Boston Bruins who will have to decide if acquiring Trocheck is the right move for the team.

Patrice Bergeron

A former longtime center for the Boston Bruins who retired after the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs.

David Krejci

A former longtime center for the Boston Bruins who retired after the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs.

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What’s next

The Bruins will have to decide by the March 6 trade deadline whether to pursue a deal for Vincent Trocheck or stick with their current roster and try to make a playoff run.

The takeaway

While the Bruins have exceeded expectations this season, adding a high-priced veteran like Trocheck may not be the best move for their long-term success. The team has found a winning formula with its current centers, and the cost to acquire Trocheck could disrupt the team's chemistry and future flexibility.