Bruins’ Brad Marchand Listed as Trade Candidate Amid Team Struggles.

The Boston Bruins are navigating choppy waters this season, and the turbulence has sparked speculation about significant roster changes looming.

NHL insider Chris Johnston’s “Trade Board 2.0” published at The Athletic on Tuesday has fueled the conversation, naming captain Brad Marchand as a top trade candidate on the Bruins.

Although Johnston listed Marchand as the 30th and last potential trade target to hit the market before the trade deadline in his latest update, he still sees a scenario in which the Bruins captain can be moved.

“The Boston captain is playing out the final year of his contract, and it’s difficult to imagine the team looking to move him if it remains on a playoff trajectory,” Johnston wrote. “Marchand has had a slow start to the season following a summer when he underwent multiple surgeries, but he remains a high-end winger who can contribute offensively, kill penalties and, yes, get under an opponent’s skin.”

Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand (63) looks over at the linesman.

Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

Marchand, a 16-year veteran who has only played for the Bruins, has been a cornerstone of the franchise’s success. Through 33 games, the 36-year-old has scored 25 points (13 goals and 12 assists) while posting a minus-2 plus/minus. If that scoring pace doesn’t improve, it would be Marchand’s lowest-scoring season in nearly a decade.

Meanwhile, the Bruins have improved after firing coach Jim Montgomery and are 17-13-3 for 37 total points. That’s good for third in the Atlantic Division as they trail the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Florida Panthers, both with 42 points.

Despite occupying a playoff spot, the Bruins’ 37 points are only 13th best in the league, a far cry from their Presidents’ Trophy-winning dominance two seasons ago.

Back in October, Marchand denied a report by Sportsnets’ Elliotte Friedman saying he had an agreement for a three-year contract extension.

“Elliotte likes talking about me this week, eh?” Marchand said, according to a video on X. “I’m not big about talking about contract stuff in the media.

“I’m not going to do it — but that report from Elliotte is false.”