Surprising Western Conference Powerhouse Team Linked to Bruins Captain Brad Marchand

Brad Marchand demonstrated one thing, he wants to spend his entire career with the Boston Bruins. The Bruins might oblige their captain's wish and keep him in Boston, despite not having a contract extension.

With a roster in rebuilding mode, however, the Bruins can't help but at least consider trading away their captain prior to the NHL trade deadline.

Boston is also in the mix, two points out of the playoffs with 62. But their position is tenuous, considering that Charlie McAvoy is out indefinitely and Hampus Lindholm may be out for the season.

They can only hope the Blue Jackets, Senators, Rangers, and Red Wings implode, but hoping others fail is not a good strategy.

While the Golden Knights have been constructing recent years into their defensive depth and their center depth, they now have an opening on the wing.

Brandon Saad has been consistent in his first six games with Vegas, contributing well at five-on-five. Raphael Lavoie has provided a blue-line presence.

Neither is a true second-line regular for a contender, though. Marchand would be a huge upgrade on the left wing behind Ivan Barbashev.

Vegas lacks a deep prospect pool to tap into and has already lost its next two first-round draft picks. But they're not afraid to make big moves once in a while.

The Golden Knights have built their identity on taking aggressive, win-now-type moves, and acquiring Marchand would just be another aggressive one in pursuit of a championship.