The Bruins have already done plenty of work on the back end, and that might not be the end of it.
Boston’s defense picture got a lot busier after the end-of-June and early-July activity. The club added Connor Clifton and traded for Will Borgen, both right-shot defensemen, after Andrew Peeke signed with the Utah Mammoth. That came on top of the Bruins’ broader effort to build out the blue line behind Charlie McAvoy, and it left them with 10 NHL-capable defensemen in the organization.
That kind of depth gives general manager Don Sweeney options, and he made it clear he’s open to more.
“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.”
The top end of the group is fairly set. Charlie McAvoy, Hampus Lindholm, Nikita Zadorov, and Will Borgen form the core, and all four carry some kind of trade protection. Clifton is back in the mix after signing, while Jordan Harris and Jonathan Aspirot are also in the fold after re-upping on extensions.
Mason Lohrei has been part of the conversation for months, with trade rumors following him since January, but those whispers have quieted down as the summer has gone on. The 25-year-old has one year left on his contract, and Sweeney offered him a vote of confidence as Boston begins sorting out its pairings.
Henri Jokiharju is another name in the mix. He has two years left at $3 million per season, and the Bruins sent a fourth-round pick for him at the 2025 deadline.
But he had a tough time carving out a steady role in Marco Sturm’s lineup last season. After returning from injury, he played in 16 of Boston’s final 40 games, while Lohrei was used on his off side ahead of him.
There’s also the possibility of a younger player forcing his way into the picture. Sweeney pointed to Providence defenseman Frederic Brunet during his July 1 media availability.
“ [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 put up 36 points in 65 games for Providence, finishing with 12 goals and 24 assists, and earned a spot in the 2026 AHL All-Star Game. He has shown that skill set in Providence and has taken real steps forward over his last three pro seasons.
For now, Boston has room to let the competition play out. McAvoy’s absence for the first six games gives the Bruins some breathing room early, and the calendar still has plenty of time before training camp and preseason arrive. But with this many defensemen on hand, the Bruins also have the flexibility to strike again if the right move comes along.
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