Bruins Trade Viel to Ducks for 2026 Pick

The Boston Bruins traded forward Jeffrey Viel to the Anaheim Ducks on Friday in exchange for a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, bolstering their already substantial selection of future assets as they prepare for an upcoming road trip.

The pick, announced by both teams, will be the earlier of Anaheim's two fourth-round selections that year, originally acquired from the Detroit Red Wings and Philadelphia Flyers. Viel, a 28-year-old left wing, had appeared in 10 games for Boston this season, recording no points while accumulating 30 penalty minutes and 27 hits. He had not registered an NHL point since the 2021-22 season with the San Jose Sharks.

Viel earned a spot on the Bruins' opening-night roster after a strong training camp, where his physical style was seen as a fit for the team's emphasis on toughness under first-year head coach Marco Sturm. Standing 6-foot-1 and 214 pounds, the journeyman forward brought grit to the bottom six, including willingness to engage in fights. However, Boston's forward depth has grown, with players such as Mark Kastelic, Sean Kuraly, Tanner Jeannot, Mikey Eyssimont, and Fraser Minten filling similar roles. Others, including...