Before the 2025 NHL trade deadline, the Boston Bruins made a bold decision to reshape their roster by trading several veteran players, including Charlie Coyle, Brad Marchand, Brandon Carlo, and Trent Frederic. The move, driven by the team’s poor performance and desire to rebuild, resulted in Boston finishing with the league’s fifth-worst record and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
Among the trades, the deal involving Charlie Coyle stood out as a significant moment. Boston exchanged Coyle with the Colorado Avalanche for a package that includes forward Casey Mittelstadt, prospect Will Zellers, and a 2025 second-round draft pick, which was used to select Swedish defenseman Liam Pettersson.
Details of the Trade Between Bruins and Avalanche
The trade executed on March 7, 2025, saw Boston receive Casey Mittelstadt, Will Zellers, and a 2025 second-round pick (Liam Pettersson), while Colorado acquired Charlie Coyle and a 2026 fifth-round draft selection. This exchange was part of Boston’s broader strategy to collect young talent and draft assets.
Casey Mittelstadt’s Role in Boosting Bruins’ Offense
Casey Mittelstadt has become a key contributor for Boston since the trade, tallying 28 points with 12 goals and 16 assists in 47 games during the current season. He is on track to score over 15 goals for the fourth time in his NHL career. Mittelstadt’s effectiveness extends to special teams, where he helps the Bruins’ power play, which ranks third in the league with a 26.9 percent success rate. Additionally, he boasts a career-high 52.2 percent faceoff win rate, demonstrating his overall versatility as a middle-six forward capable of playing both center and wing positions.
Prospect Will Zellers Shows Promising Potential
Alongside Mittelstadt, Boston acquired Will Zellers, a young prospect with considerable upside. Drafted in the third round by Colorado in 2024, Zellers led the USHL with 44 goals in the 2024-25 season and was honored as both the league’s Player of the Year and Forward of the Year. He has continued his strong performance at the University of North Dakota, recording 26 points (16 goals, 10 assists) in 31 games and helping the nationally ranked team maintain its top-tier status.
Zellers is viewed as an emerging goal scorer with the potential to develop into a top-six wing in the NHL.
Zellers with his second of the night to earn us a point!#UNDproud | #LGH pic.twitter.com/zZG0aW93bn
— North Dakota Hockey
Second-Round Pick Liam Pettersson Adds Defensive Skill to Bruins
The 2025 second-round draft pick acquired in the trade gave Boston the opportunity to select Liam Pettersson, a Swedish defenseman noted for his skating ability and offensive instincts. Though still a developing talent, Pettersson’s skills have impressed Bruins management, and he is seen as a valuable addition for the team’s future defensive core.
Charlie Coyle’s Impact with the Columbus Blue Jackets
Since being traded from Colorado to the Columbus Blue Jackets last June, Charlie Coyle has been a reliable two-way center and an influential leader for the young Blue Jackets roster. Coyle has accumulated 42 points (15 goals, 27 assists) over 56 games this season, a marked improvement from his 35 points in 82 games the previous year. He is nearing a potential 50-point campaign, which would be only the third time in his NHL career to achieve such production.
Evaluating the Long-Term Effects of the Trade
Despite Coyle’s strong performance in Columbus, the trade has undeniably benefited the Bruins. With Mittelstadt’s versatility and age advantage—he is six years younger than Coyle—combined with Zellers’s rising prospect status and Pettersson’s promising skill set, Boston appears to be positioned well for future success. The final assessment of this trade will depend on the continued development of these players over the coming years.
Currently, the Bruins hold the second wild card playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, closely pursued by the Blue Jackets, Coyle’s current team. The upcoming matchups between Boston and Columbus will carry significant playoff implications, and both Coyle and Mittelstadt are expected to play crucial roles in these contests.
Thursday’s game marks Coyle’s first return to TD Garden since the trade, adding extra intrigue to this pivotal season for the Bruins as they push toward a postseason berth despite last year’s setbacks.
Zellers with his second of the night to earn us a point!#UNDproud | #LGH pic.twitter.com/zZG0aW93bn
— North Dakota Hockey (@UNDmhockey) February 21, 2026
