Trade chatter surrounding the Boston Bruins has picked up steam, with Jeremy Swayman and Evan Bouchard suddenly part of a wild post-Finals rumor involving the Edmonton Oilers.
Podcast proposal stirs debate as Bruins, Oilers fans react
With the season wrapped up and the Cup now in Florida’s hands, it’s officially rumor season, and one idea floating around has drawn plenty of attention.
The What Chaos podcast recently tossed out a potential trade between the Bruins and Oilers that would send Jeremy Swayman, Mason Lohrei, and a first-round pick to Edmonton. Coming back? Stuart Skinner and Evan Bouchard.
On the surface, it’s the kind of trade that sounds dramatic enough to trend , but not solid enough to seriously consider.
Why this doesn’t add up for Boston
Jeremy Swayman isn’t just any goalie. He’s young, playoff-tested, and, even after a shaky stretch, remains one of the team’s most trusted players. Swapping him out for Skinner, who struggled badly during the Cup Final, would be a head-scratcher.
Boston fans know what it looks like when goaltending falls apart. If they’re going into next season with Skinner and Joonas Korpisalo as the tandem, it’s a recipe for disappointment. It’s tough to imagine Bruins management taking that kind of step backward.
Bouchard brings upside, but also real concern
The other name in the mix is Evan Bouchard, who put up serious numbers on Edmonton’s power play. No doubt, his shot and puck movement would boost Boston’s man advantage — especially with David Pastrnak lurking on the half-wall.
But here’s the issue: Bouchard’s defensive lapses have long been a sore spot. In Edmonton, McDavid and Draisaitl helped cover those mistakes. In Boston? He wouldn’t have that luxury. Mistakes get magnified in this market, and patience is always in short supply.
First-round pick sweetener only makes it worse
Throwing in a first-round pick just tips this proposal further in Edmonton’s favor. You’re not just giving up a top goalie and a solid young defenseman in Lohrei — you’re also parting with a key future asset. That’s three pieces gone, and no guaranteed gain.
Even if Bouchard produces offensively, and Skinner finds his footing, it’s still a lot of risk on Boston’s side.
What should the Bruins do instead?
If the Bruins want to upgrade their blue line or power play, there are other ways to go about it. Noah Dobson, for example, is a more balanced target, he can quarterback a power play without being a liability in his own end.
Most importantly, you don’t need to trade Swayman to improve your roster. He’s part of the core, along with Pastrnak and McAvoy, and you build around that, not break it apart.
This rumor feels more like offseason noise than anything real
These kinds of trade proposals are common this time of year. They’re great for debate, podcasts, and Twitter threads — but not for a team trying to stay competitive.
Swayman isn’t someone you trade just to shake things up. If you’re going to move him, the return has to be undeniable. This one isn’t.
