Bruins Trade Deadline Acquisition Set to Make His Debut

Over a month after a deadline day trade sent three-time Stanley Cup winner Pat Maroon to the Boston Bruins, Maroon will finally be lacing them up for the Bruins for Saturday night's matchup in Pittsburgh against the Penguins.

Per Fluto Shinzawa, Maroon skated on the fourth line at yesterday's practice at right wing. Jesper Boqvist centered that line, with Jakob Lauko on the left wing. Per Shinzawa, Maroon also featured on Boston's second power play unit.

Maroon, who has played 778 regular season games and 150 playoff games, was acquired by the Bruins from the Minnesota Wild on March 8 for Luke Toporowski and a conditional 2026 sixth-round pick. The Wild will receive the sixth-rounder if Maroon appears in a playoff game for the Black & Gold.

Maroon, 35, underwent back surgery on Feb. 7. Saturday night's tilt against the Penguins will be his first NHL action since Jan. 27. In 49 games with Minnesota this season he recorded four goals and 12 assists.

The 13-year vet was acquired due to his playoff pedigree. Maroon won a Stanley Cup with his hometown St. Louis Blues (over the Bruins) in 2019 and with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2020 and 2021. He became only the third player to win three straight Cups with two different franchises. In his playoff career, Maroon has registered 51 points on 23 goals and 28 assists.

Providing a physical presence, Maroon isn't afraid to drop the mitts, as he led the league in penalty minutes last season and was second in 2021-22. He had 10 fights in 2022-23 and 12 in 2021-22. In limited action this season, Maroon has fought six times. He made 160 hits in 2021-22 and 172 in 2022-23.

With only three regular season games remaining, it will be an audition of sorts for Maroon, as the Bruins have cycled a litany of players through their bottom six this season.

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