When Don Sweeney met with the media on Feb. 23 to talk about the health of Hampus Lindholm and Charlie McAvoy, the Bruins general manager used the opportunity to soften the ground a little bit to prepare people for what was likely coming not far down the road.

If Boston is looking toward the future as Friday's deadline approaches, Charlie Coyle and Brandon Carlo could be attractive additions for other teams.

For one thing, he’s the kind of centre who is used to taking on top-line assignments, reliably defending against the league’s best. When the Bruins played the Leafs in the first round last spring, Coyle logged the most five-on-five minutes against Matthews of any Boston centre.

McAvoy injured his right shoulder in Team USA’s opener and a subsequent infection necessitated a hospital stay.