The NHL trade deadline left the Boston Bruins fans and team to deal with a lot of emotions, and Charlie McAvoy is not immune to them. A few months ago, nobody would’ve believed it, but here we are—Brad Marchand, the heart and soul of Boston hockey, is gone. In the final moments of the deadline, the Bruins made a trade and sent their captain to the Florida Panthers. As for Boston, they acquired a conditional 2027 second-round pick. And while that may make it look like the Captain got traded for cheap (which he did), the team has informed that there’s more to the trade: “The conditional second-round draft pick will become a 2027 or 2028 first-round draft pick if Florida wins two rounds of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs and Marchand appears in at least 50 percent of the team’s playoff games.”

And, by the way, Boston is still paying for half of Marchand’s salary. The fact that the Panthers came from nowhere to make this even more incredible, particularly after they have eliminated the Bruins from the playoffs in the two consecutive seasons. Boston’s season started the season with great expectations, but honestly, the team has not been doing well. Currently occupying the seventh position in the Atlantic Division and only three points ahead of the wild card and with a mere 4.2 percent chance of making it to the playoffs, the Bruins required change. Marchand had always envisioned himself retiring as a Bruin, and though free agency may bring the reunion this summer, the deadline saw multiple Bruins stars on the move, leaving Charlie McAvoy absolutely crushed.

Charlie McAvoy is heartbroken!

Charlie McAvoy hit Instagram stories on March 7, 2025, with a tear-jerking trip down memory lane—four snapshots of pure Bruins brotherhood. Two with Brad Marchand, two with Trent Frederic, all capturing those golden on-ice moments that now feel like a distant dream. From big-game hugs to victorious grins in black and gold, every frame screamed family. But the one that hit hardest? That last shot—McAvoy, goal in the bag, arms wrapped around Marchand, with nothing but heartbreak emojis to sum it all up.

Trent Frederic is heading to Edmonton in a three-team trade with the New Jersey Devils. Both Frederic and Max Jones were sent to the Oilers, while Boston acquired defenseman Max Wanner, a St. Louis 2025 second-round pick, and a fourth-round pick in 2026 from Edmonton.

And by the way, in case you have not noticed, Boston is still withholding 50 percent of Frederic’s salary for the rest of the season. Yes, it has been that type of trade season. But let’s change the subject for a moment because while Charlie McAvoy and Brad Marchand were teammates in Boston only a few days ago, they faced each other on the ice during the 4 Nations tournament.

McAvoy and Marchand from Bruins to 4 Nations!

During the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off in Montreal, Bruins brothers-in-arms Brad Marchand and Charlie McAvoy had no time for sentiment. Wearing the national colors was a signal that no holds were barred—no friendships were friendly, no teammates were friendly. These two were clear as crystal: if there were to be a hit, they would hit. If one had to run over the other to chase the puck, then so be it. Their only aim was to win for their homeland, and they had to, at least for the time being, refrain from speaking to each other—no greetings, no small talk. Only game faces and national pride.

But hockey is unpredictable and when McAvoy was suddenly out of the game due to a severe AC joint injury and a shoulder infection that required hospitalization, Marchand’s aggression was replaced with concern. “I’ve reached out to him. I’m going to keep everything personal, but first and foremost, all you care about is the guy’s health, and I’m very happy to hear that he’s doing well,” Marchand set aside the sport for the sake of the friend. And just like that, the ‘no talking’ rule? Out the window.

“I had no intention of talking to Chuck or Pasta (David Pastrnak) or any of my teammates until this tournament is over,” Marchand admitted. “But obviously, in a situation like that, Chucky is one of my best friends, and I care a lot about him, so it’s very disappointing to hear that he’s going through this.”  Now, with Marchand off to Florida and McAvoy still rocking the black and gold, emotions are running high. Losing a captain, a teammate, and a friend? That stings. But let’s be real—this only sets the stage for some heated on-ice battles ahead. The bromance might be on hold, but a little friendly fire never hurt anyone, right?