This past Monday marked a make-or-break day for the Boston Bruins, as they were tasked with trying to add talent at the trade deadline to help them go on a deep playoff run. After an up and down first half of the season, the Bruins flipped a switch and now sit in third place in the Atlantic division after defeating the defending champion, Tampa Bay Lightning, on Thursday. The Bruins still have a long way to go until the end of the season and Don Sweeney pulled out all the stops to improve the roster for a deep playoff run. So, let’s review the trade deadline for the Bruins.
Over the past couple seasons, the Bruins haven’t made any blockbuster trades at the deadline. Last season, the Bruins acquired former MVP Taylor Hall, but the biggest asset they gave up was a second round pick. However, this season, Sweeney made a deal that many fans weren’t sure if he was willing to do: He traded this year’s first round pick, a second round pick in 2023 and 2024, along with John Moore and Urho Vaakanainen to Anaheim, to acquire the Ducks’ top defenseman, Hampus Lindholm.
For the past few years, the Bruins have been desperately needing a top four defenseman with size, and that is exactly what they got with Lindholm at 6 feet 4 inches, 216 lbs. It is also important to note that Lindholm is a very formidable contributor on the offensive end as well, with 22 points on a mediocre Ducks team prior to being traded. 
Lindholm got his first look in a Bruins uniform this past Thursday against the Lightning in what was the Bruins’ biggest game of the season, as Boston had an opportunity to leapfrog them in the standings. Despite being down Patrice Bergeron, Boston was able to squeak out a 3–2 victory, and Lindholm greatly contributed to that victory. Lindholm had an assist on the Bruins’ first goal of the night, and was a plus two with a time on ice of 23:26 in just his first game. He also utilized his physicality as he threw four hits and blocked a shot. Lindholm seemed to fit in seamlessly in his first game in black and gold, and it is easy to see why Sweeney signed him to an eight-year extension right off the bat.
Lindholm wasn’t the only player the Bruins acquired at the deadline, as they also traded for Ottawa defenseman Josh Brown. The Bruins’ approach at the deadline became very clear when they acquired Brown, as it appeared they were focusing on defense to help with a potential deep playoff run. Brown is another big body standing at 6 feet 5 inches, 221 lbs. He isn’t going to slot in the lineup very often, as he doesn’t supply much on the offensive end, but he will likely get a look in a playoff series against a heavier team when they need a bit more physicality. Other than that, he should be a healthy scratch for a majority of his time here.
Despite a need at second line center, the Bruins decided that there were no deals that were worth making to help them on a playoff run this season. Therefore, the likes of Erik Haula and Charlie Coyle will have to continue elevating their game to prove that they didn’t need an upgrade this season. However, the Bruins did address their most pressing need by adding some big defensemen, which should help them make another playoff run.