Boston Bruins could pull the trigger on a major trade before free agency to fix scoring gap

Originally posted on Bruins After Dark | By Jake Donovan | Last updated Jun 16, 2025 6:33 PM ET

Don Sweeney is exploring trade options for Jason Robertson or Martin Necas as the Bruins look to spark their offense before July 1.

The Boston Bruins aren’t waiting around for the market to solve their problems.

With scoring help at the top of their priority list, the front office is already weighing serious trade options before the free-agent window opens on July 1.

General manager Don Sweeney has the pieces to make something happen.

The team holds the No. 7 overall pick in this year’s draft, plus two second-round selections and additional first-rounders in 2026 and 2027.

That gives Boston plenty of flexibility, whether it’s to move picks in a deal or leverage them in contract discussions.

League insiders are already connecting the Bruins to two top-six names: Jason Robertson and Martin Necas, both of whom would address Boston’s offensive shortcomings directly.

Robertson could be in play if Dallas feels cap pressure

Robertson’s name has started to circulate in NHL circles, not because the Stars want to move him, but because they may have to.

With a $7.75 million cap hit and big decisions looming elsewhere on their roster, Dallas might listen if the offer is right.

Boston could be that team. Robertson, 24, is a legitimate scoring winger with size, puck poise, and a deadly release.

He’s just one season removed from a 46-goal, 109-point breakout and would instantly change the look of Boston’s top line.

He won’t come cheap, but few players of that caliber ever do.

Necas represents a younger, long-term scoring fit

Meanwhile, Martin Necas is quietly becoming one of the most intriguing trade candidates this offseason. The 25-year-old forward is coming off a strong campaign and is due $6.5 million next season.

Whether it’s Carolina looking to retool or Colorado getting involved as a middleman, there’s a real chance Necas becomes available.

For the Bruins, he checks a lot of boxes: speed, creativity, youth, and upside. With Brad Marchand approaching the twilight of his career and uncertainty around Jake DeBrusk’s future, Necas would be more than just a fix—he’d be part of the next wave.

The clock is ticking on Boston’s cap space

At the moment, Boston has roughly $26.7 million in cap room. But that figure shrinks quickly. Re-signing Mason Lohrei and Morgan Geekie could take up close to $9 million, and other pending RFAs or replacements will eat into what’s left.

This cap landscape makes high-end free agents like Mitch Marner a long shot. Even second-tier targets like Nikolaj Ehlers or Brock Boeser might become too pricey once bidding begins on July 1.

The smart play could be striking before the chaos.