Untouchable Players on the Bruins’ Roster- Part One

The Bruins have several untouchables on their roster, meaning players that should be traded under no circumstances, as the hole left by them would be greater than what could be filled within reason. Their impact on and off the ice would make it a huge mistake for the Bruins if any were to be moved. There are also many players not on this list that I don’t believe should be moved unless it is absolutely necessary or the return is too good to pass up, but I narrowed it down to my top ten. I’ve listed these players in no particular order and am posting the first three today. Some of you may disagree with some of the ones I name untouchable, but remember, this is my opinion and my opinion only and you don’t have to agree with me. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I don’t think most of this will be too controversial. Without further adieu, here are the first three untouchables, who are coincidentally the most obvious in my opinion.

1. Patrice Bergeron, C. Do I even really have to explain this one? Bergeron is the heart and soul of the Bruins. He produced at a career-high points per game rate this past season at age 33, with 32 goals and 47 assists in 65 games (1.22 PPG). He’s also one of the league’s premier two-way centers, having won the Selke trophy as the league’s top defensive forward a record-tying four times and he’s likely to get at least one more before he calls it a career. Also, he’s an incredible bumper on the power play, and hard to contain despite the other team knowing what he plans to do. Not only that, but if it weren’t for Zdeno Chara, Bergeron would’ve been named captain of the team years ago, and he certainly will be when Big Z calls it a career. He’s also on an incredibly team friendly deal, with a $6.875 million cap hit for the next three seasons. Under no circumstances should be traded. None. Not even for Connor McDavid. What you would lose off the ice would outweigh what you would gain on it. Just don’t do it, don’t even think about (looking at you, Jermaine Wiggins).
2. Brad Marchand, LW. Again, I don’t feel like I should have to explain this one. One of the league’s most notorious pests and the most hated guy by other fanbases but one of the most beloved by the Bruins’, Marchand just keeps getting better. Last season, he set a career high in points last season at the age of 31, with 36 goals and 64 assists in 79 games, breaking his previous career high of 85 points that he set in 2016-17 and tied in 2017-18. He and Bergeron are one of the league’s top duos, and under no circumstances should they be broken up. He’s also on a laughably team friendly team, with just a $6.125 million cap hit for the next six seasons. A threat on both the power play and short-handed along with Bergeron, Marchand is also really starting to learn how to be a pro on and off the ice and continues to improve his discipline. He’s the kind of player who is at their best when they toe the line, so he’s bound to cross at it times, but his play at the ice makes it forgivable (unless he gets suspended, and then it gets harder but it’s still doable). Marchand is too valuable to a player to trade, and clearly, others around the league agree, as he finished fifth in Hart Trophy voting for the player judged to be most valuable to his team last season. He’s also become a leader off the ice, and just like Bergeron, would leave a bigger hole on and off the ice than you could possibly fill. Do not trade him under any circumstances (thankfully I have no one to point a finger at here).
3. David Pastrnak, RW. I feel like I’m repeating myself here when I say I really shouldn’t have to explain this one. For starters, like Bergeron and Marchand, Pastrnak is on an unbelievably team-friendly team, with a $6.67 million cap hit for the next four seasons. He’s developing into an elite goal-scorer and his defensive game is also coming along in large part due to the teachings of Bergeron and Marchand. Had it not been for his unfortunate thumb injury last season, he easily would’ve crossed the 40 goal mark, and it’s plausible he too would’ve hit 100 points. In 66 games last season, he produced 38 goals and 43 assists, which is a 1.23 PPG pace. In a full season at that pace, he would’ve had 47 goals and 53 assists. That’s 110 points. I’m not saying it would’ve happened, and it is highly likely it would’ve been less than that, but it’s safe to say over 40 goals and 100 points was likely. And he was just 22, meaning he will only get better from here. That should scare every other team. He was a steal at 25th overall in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft by Boston, and just like the other two, should not be traded under any circumstances. He’s already an unbelievably creative player with a bomb of a one-timer, and it’s insane to think he’ll just keep getting better. We’re in for a real treat here in Boston for a long time. It would undoubtedly not end well for the Bruins if he got traded.

I will be posting the next three or four tomorrow on a separate post, so check back on the site then for more, as they get more controversial from here!