With each passing season, the door inches closer to closing on the Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, David Krejci and Tuukka Rask era -- the only players remaining from the 2011 Stanley Cup winning team.
Overall, it's been a successful decade-plus for them and the Bruins.
Since winning the Cup in 2011, the Bruins have made two more Finals appearances (2013, 2019) and earned two Presidents' Trophies for most points in the regular season (2013-14, 2019-20).
Here are some statistics proving just how consistently great the Bruins have been over the last decade: According to NHL.com, since the start of the 2010-11 season until the start of this season, the Bruins have accumulated the second-most points of any team in the league ( 987) — trailing only the Pittsburgh Penguins (994).
During this span, the Bruins ranked fifth in goals per game (2.99) and first in goals against per game (2.45). In addition, their power play ranked third (20.8 percent) and their penalty kill was tied for first (83.3 percent).
Yet, despite their regular season success, one championship victory out of three Finals appearances has left players, management and fans alike feeling as though this era of the Bruins came up at least one banner short.
In all likelihood, the Bruins' championship window remains open for at least this season and probably next — which is why ownership and management should do their part in improving the current roster by the trade deadline on April 12.
The Bruins owe it to their veteran core to go all-in.
Not only have Bergeron, Marchand, Krejci and Rask been at the forefront of the franchise's successes over the last decade-plus, but they continue to be some of the most productive players this season as well.
In addition to David Pastrnak and Charlie McAvoy, Bergeron, Marchand and Rask have been the five best Bruins all season long.
Unfortunately, not all of their teammates have been carrying their weight and are jeopardizing the team's Stanley Cup aspirations.
Forwards such as Jake DeBrusk, Sean Kuraly, Chris Wagner and Anders Bjork have struggled mightily this season and are becoming more expendable with each passing game as their younger teammates like Jack Studnicka and Trent Frederic continue to impress — not to mention other promising skaters in Providence, champing at the bit to play in the NHL.
With no surefire replacements for Bergeron and Krejci in the system, the Bruins may hit a rough patch in the next few years. The team's future at the center position is a major concern, putting even more emphasis on the "win now" mentality.
If the Bruins have any chance at winning a Stanley Cup this season, they need to add a top-six winger and top-four defenseman, simple as that.
Now of course Brandon Carlo's recent injury against the Capitals is concerning, but it shouldn't alter the Bruins' game plan. Since the duration of Carlo's injury is unknown, there is at least a case to be made for prioritizing defense over offense now.
Hopefully the black and gold can still acquire both, but if they need to prioritize one over the other, it should still be top-six scoring.
There is one major insurance policy on defense: Tuukka Rask.
Defensive breakdowns are inevitable no matter how strong a defensive corps is, but having an elite goalie as the last line of defense helps cover for any mistakes the young D do make.
Ultimately the Bruins need to add a forward who is an established scorer and who knows how to put the puck in the back of the net.
Sunday's 1-0 loss to the New Jersey Devils was the latest example of why, if given the choice between the two, the Bruins need to add a bona fide scorer more than a defenseman.
Along with Rask, a defense unit without Carlo, Jeremy Lauzon and Kevan Miller held the Devils scoreless for over 55 minutes of play before surrendering a goal against.
Meanwhile the offense didn't do much of anything five-on-five or on the power play — against a low-end team like New Jersey, nonetheless.
At the trade deadline, if the Bruins need to take on a rather lucrative contract for the right player, do it. If they have to give up a promising prospect or young NHL-caliber players such as DeBrusk or Bjork, do it.
It may be a while before the Bruins are able to contend for a Stanley Cup once the current veteran core is gone, so they should do whatever it takes to put themselves in position to win while they still have Bergeron, Marchand and Rask in particular.
