With Brad Marchand and Charlie McAvoy sidelined, Charlie Coyle and Brandon Carlo have stepped up as alternate captains for the Boston Bruins. This is a significant honor, recognizing their leadership on a team they’ve been a part of for nearly a decade.
However, by the end of the week, both of them could be traded.
After eight consecutive seasons of pursuing playoff depth at the trade deadline, the Bruins now find themselves with slim chances of making the playoffs. Following the trade of pending free agent Trent Frederic on Tuesday, more moves aimed at retooling the roster are likely before Friday’s NHL trade deadline.
While it’s unclear just how far GM Don Sweeney is willing to shake up the Bruins’ core, both Coyle and Carlo, who are experienced veterans with term left on their contracts, could be valuable assets for a playoff-contending team.
- Brandon Carlo and Charlie Coyle
Both spoke before Frederic’s trade was announced.
“I’ve been through these talks for most of my career, so it’s not really a factor for me. I’m here with the Bruins,” said Coyle, who was acquired by Boston at the 2019 trade deadline. “This is where I want to be, where I want to play. This is the team I want to help get to the playoffs and win. That’s all I can control.”
Coyle has a no-trade clause for eight teams, while Carlo can block deals to 10 teams.
“I’m not a GM or another team, so why worry about that?” Coyle added, noting that he has one year remaining on his $5.25 million contract. “Whatever happens, happens, but my mindset is here right now. That’s how you have to be.”
Carlo, who has two more years left at $4.1 million per season, acknowledged the uneasy nature of the week.
“Nobody likes uncertainty, and change is always tough. My approach has just been to take it day by day,” Carlo said. “I’ve loved being a Boston Bruin and would love to keep playing here. I just want to keep contributing to this team and be the best I can.”
Heading into Tuesday’s game, the Bruins were just two points out of the second wild card spot, but they have fewer games remaining than the other teams in the tight playoff race.
Carlo, while still holding out hope for a playoff berth, recognized that changes could come sooner than that.
“I still believe in this team and the guys in this room. I wouldn’t want to be battling with anyone else,” he said. “For me and this group, it’s about controlling what we can control, taking it day by day. But there are hard realities to face, and you cross those bridges when you come to them.”
Coyle, 32, took solace in being seen as a valuable asset.
“I want to be the best player I can be. That means being here and doing everything I can for this team,” he said. “If other teams think highly of me, I appreciate that, but it’s not something I’m focused on. I’m just trying to be a versatile, well-rounded player who can help a team win—doing that here is what matters most to me.”
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