It was March 6, 2025, and the Bruins were going nowhere. So, they pivoted, moving out pieces to replenish a thin prospect pool and lay the groundwork for the future.
On that day, Bruins general manager Don Sweeney and Minnesota’s Bill Guerin came together on a deal that signaled Boston’s shift toward the future. The Bruins shipped out Justin Brazeau, receiving Marat Khusnutdinov, Jakub Lauko, and their own sixth‑round pick in 2026.
The Bruins had originally shipped that pick to Minnesota on March 8, 2024, as part of the deal that sent Luke Toporowski west in exchange for Pat Maroon. Two years later, in March 2026, Boston moved the same pick again — this time to Vancouver in the trade that brought Lukas Reichel into the organization.
Brazeau was a pure rental for the Wild. He appeared in 19 regular season games scoring once and adding an assist. In 6 playoff games he had a pair of assists. In the offseason he left for greener pastures and signed a 2-year, $3 million deal with the Penguins.
Khusnutdinov appeared in 18 games for the Bruins and scored three goals and added two assists. He signed a two-year $1.85 million extension in the offseason
Brazeau rediscovered his game in Pittsburgh this season, posting 17 goals and 17 assists across 64 games. Khusnutdinov, meanwhile, delivered 15 goals and 18 assists in 77 games while seamlessly sliding into any role Marco Sturm asked of him, regardless of line or situation.
In effect, tracing the asset trail back to 2024, the Bruins ultimately turned Brazeau, Toporowski, and a sixth‑round pick into Maroon, Khusnutdinov, Lauko, and Reichel — a solid return when you break it down.
On Minnesota’s side, both Toporowski and Brazeau have since moved on, leaving the Wild with nothing to show for the deal. Boston’s return has aged far better: Maroon departed as a free agent and Lauko headed to Europe, but the Bruins still hold Khusnutdinov the most meaningful part of the trade and Reichel.
At the time, the move barely registered as more than a minor trade. In hindsight, Khusnutdinov has emerged as a legitimate long‑term piece — young enough to factor into Boston’s plans for years and instrumental in accelerating the organization’s restocking of young talent.
This was clearly a win for the Bruins.
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