Andrew Peeke Navigates Trade Deadline Uncertainty, While Morgan Geekie Finds His Groove
In the NHL, the trade deadline can be a pressure cooker-especially for players sitting on expiring contracts. For Boston Bruins defenseman Andrew Peeke, it’s a familiar feeling.
Two years ago, Peeke was wrapping up practice in Columbus, thinking he had made it through the 2024 deadline untraded. Then came a meeting with John Davidson, then the Blue Jackets’ president of hockey operations, and just like that, Peeke was Boston-bound.
Now, with the 2026 deadline looming, Peeke once again finds himself in the middle of the rumor mill. He’s 27, a pending unrestricted free agent, and skating for a Bruins team that’s far from a playoff lock. It’s a mix that often leads to movement.
“I’m not the first guy to go through it,” Peeke said. “Whatever happens will fall into place.
I’m just trying to focus on my role here with Boston, help this team get to the playoffs, and do what I can for me personally, while being a good teammate. Whatever happens on the outside, that’ll take care of itself.”
Peeke’s taking it in stride, but the situation is different than it was in 2024. Back then, he was in the first year of a three-year, $8.25 million deal-a right-shot defenseman with term, typically the kind of player a team builds around, not moves. But he’d only played 23 games and wasn’t in Pascal Vincent’s regular rotation in Columbus.
Boston, on the other hand, saw value where Columbus didn’t. They needed a stay-at-home presence behind Charlie McAvoy and Brandon Carlo-someone to do the dirty work Kevin Shattenkirk wasn’t quite built for at that stage in his career. Peeke fit the mold.
Now, as a potential rental, Peeke’s situation is more traditional. He hasn’t said whether there have been extension talks with the Bruins, but he’s currently slotted at No. 23 on The Athletic’s trade board. And given his size (6-foot-3, 214 pounds), right-handed shot, and defensive-minded game, there’s likely a market for him-especially among contenders looking for depth on the right side.
But whether that next deal comes in Boston remains to be seen.
The Bruins’ pursuit of Calgary’s Rasmus Andersson earlier this season adds a wrinkle. Had Boston landed and extended Andersson, they’d have had three right-shot defensemen-McAvoy, Henri Jokiharju, and Andersson-locked in long term. That would’ve left little room for Peeke.
Now that the Andersson deal didn’t materialize, the door might be cracked back open. Boston doesn’t have a clear-cut internal replacement who plays Peeke’s physical, shutdown style.
And Peeke, who spends his offseasons in Fort Lauderdale, has made it clear he likes it in Boston. Lately, he’s been skating on the second pair alongside Nikita Zadorov.
Still, the numbers don’t exactly scream long-term investment. Peeke has four goals and five assists through 51 games.
He’s mobile enough to join the rush, but his bread and butter is in the trenches-clearing the crease, closing gaps, and blocking shots. At five-on-five, Boston’s been outscored 37-25 with Peeke on the ice, per Natural Stat Trick.
That’s not all on him, of course, but it’s part of the picture.
Peeke’s future likely hinges on the Bruins’ performance over the next few weeks. If Boston stumbles and their playoff hopes fade, GM Don Sweeney may decide it’s time to flip Peeke for future assets. Right-shot defensemen are always in demand come deadline day, even if they’re set to hit free agency in July.
Asked how he balances the business side with his on-ice focus, Peeke smiled: “That’s what you pay an agent for. We all care so much about the hockey aspect. That’s my main priority.”
Morgan Geekie Breaks Out of His Slump
While Peeke’s future remains uncertain, Morgan Geekie is making the most of his present.
The Bruins forward delivered the game-winner in Saturday’s 4-3 win, hammering home a third-period power-play goal that initially had everyone-including Elias Lindholm and David Pastrnak-searching for the puck. Turns out, it was lodged in the trim at the bottom of the net.
“I wasn’t quite sure, either,” Geekie admitted. “But I saw a little black thing in the net.
Figured the camera didn’t go that far over. Just hope for the best.
Glad I was right.”
It was Geekie’s second goal of the night and his third in as many games. That’s a welcome change after a 12-game scoring drought. In that stretch, Geekie tried just about everything-switching to Victor Soderstrom’s stick, changing his tape from black to white, even donning a tinted visor.
But what really helped was getting back to basics. Conversations with head coach Marco Sturm and team president Cam Neely helped reset his focus.
“Go back to what was working before,” Geekie said. “Focus on the chances you’re getting and just try to capitalize.
When you get in a rut, you try to change something. Most of the time, when you go back to what works, it ends up working again.”
His first goal on Saturday came off a highlight-reel setup from Pastrnak, who lifted the puck to himself to buy time, then found Geekie crashing the far post for an easy finish.
Geekie’s resurgence couldn’t come at a better time for Boston, especially as they try to solidify their forward lines and generate more consistent offense.
Zadorov Guts It Out After Scary Collision
Saturday’s game also saw a gutsy return from Nikita Zadorov, who looked like he might be done for the night after a second-period collision.
Zadorov was checked hard into the boards by Zachary Bolduc. The impact lifted him off the ice, and as he came down, his right skate caught in the ice, causing his knee to buckle awkwardly. He needed help from Peeke and Fraser Minten just to get off the ice.
But when the third period started, Zadorov was back.
“I was really surprised when our trainer came and said, ‘He’s going to try,’” Sturm said. “It shows a lot. He was not 100 percent-we could all see that-but he was out there battling hard for the guys.”
Zadorov logged 5:23 of ice time in the third, a testament to his toughness and commitment to the team. He wasn’t available to speak after the game, but his presence spoke volumes.
Bruins Hit the Road Early to Beat the Snow
Originally scheduled to practice on Sunday before heading to New York, the Bruins adjusted their plans after Saturday’s win. With a snowstorm on the way, the team opted to travel immediately after the game. They’ll face the Rangers on Monday at Madison Square Garden.
For now, the Bruins keep grinding-fighting for points, navigating injuries, and managing the ever-present noise of the trade deadline. For players like Peeke and Geekie, every shift counts.