Evaluating the Bruins’ needs a week before the NHL trade deadline

Arizona Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun. AP The Boston Bruins enter the final period before the NHL trade deadline in a rather interesting position.

Bruce Cassidy’s club has held a wild card position since the turn of the calendar. But they’re now closer to a top-three spot in the Atlantic, trailing the struggling Maple Leafs by two points for third place, and they sit five points behind the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Lightning for second. They’ll face Toronto three more times and Tampa twice following the Mar. 21 deadline.

At the same time, Don Sweeney needs to make significant upgrades on the back-end and in the top-six if the Bruins have any shot at extending their potential…