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Jack Studley - Boston Hockey Now
The Boston Bruins have slowed down after their moves at the end of June and early July, but more may be on the way.
They added JJ Peterka up front, but bolstered their blue line and now have 10 NHL-capable defensemen within the organization. Andrew Peeke signed with the Utah Mammoth, and the Bruins brought Connor Clifton back and traded for Will Borgen, both right-shot defensemen, to stock depth behind Charlie McAvoy.
Right-shot defensemen were a need GM Don Sweeney said he was going to address, but after the moves were made, he said he may not be done.
“Yeah, I mean, there easily could be [more moves], depending on where other teams sit and the conversations I’ve had,” said Sweeney, just hours after free agency opened. “Charlie [McAvoy]’s not playing the first six games. You just never know [what could happen] between now and when we start, and injuries. It was an area we told you guys that we’re going to address, and that’s exactly what we tried to do.”
Looking at the current roster, it’s easy to see why moves may be coming.
To start, Charlie McAvoy, Hampus Lindholm, Nikita Zadorov, and Will Borgen make up the core of the blue line, and they all have some form of trade protection in their contracts. Connor Clifton just signed, and Jordan Harris and Jonathan Aspirot re-upped on extensions.
Trade rumors have swirled around Mason Lohrei since January, but those have calmed down as the summer moves along. The 25-year-old defenseman has one year left on his contract. However, Sweeney hit him with a vote of confidence as the Bruins set out to find their defensive pairings this season.
Henri Jokiharju has two years left on his deal at $3 million annually. The Bruins flipped a fourth-rounder for him at the 2025 deadline, but he struggled to establish himself in Marco Sturm’s lineup this past season. He dressed for 16 of the B’s last 40 games after returning from an injury, while Lohrei played on his off hand ahead of him.
The established group of NHLers does not paint the whole picture, either. Sweeney also directly mentioned a mobile puck-moving defenseman from Providence during his media availability on July 1.
“[Frederic] Brunet is a good example, with mobility and puck skill that he’s applied in Providence, and how is that going to translate to the National Hockey League this year? There’s a good chance we’re going to find out,” said Sweeney.
Brunet totaled 36 points (12-24–36) in 65 games with Providence and was named to the 2026 AHL All-Star Game. He has demonstrated his skill set with Providence and has only improved his game over the last three professional seasons.
Whether it’s Brunet pushing for NHL time or the current group competing for roster spots, there is no rush for the Bruins to make a move. The Bruins will not have Charlie McAvoy for the first six games, which buys them time early on. Once he comes back, however, the blue line gets more crowded.
There is plenty of time before training camp and preseason get underway, and Sweeney knows a lot can happen between now and then. However, with 10 NHL-capable defensemen, they have the flexibility to make moves if the right opportunity presents itself.
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The post Bruins’ Crowded Blue Line Could Lead to Another Move appeared first on Boston Hockey Now.
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