The Bruins have a roster crunch coming, and Jonathan Aspirot looks like the kind of defenseman who can force the issue.
Boston already has nine defensemen under contract heading toward the 2026-27 season, which means only six spots are available when training camp opens. That kind of numbers game always creates pressure, but Aspirot has made a strong case to stay put after breaking through in 2025-26.
Originally undrafted, Aspirot worked his way through the American Hockey League before getting his NHL shot. He started his pro career with the Belleville Senators in 2019-20 and eventually logged 297 AHL games with the Providence Bruins, Calgary Wranglers, and Senators. Across that stretch, he put up 128 points, including 31 goals and 97 assists, along with 326 penalty minutes.
When the Bruins finally gave him a real opportunity last season, he ran with it. Aspirot played 61 games in 2025-26 and spent much of that time as a top-four option next to Charlie McAvoy. He finished with 13 points, 83 blocks, 86 hits, and a plus-30 rating.
That production came on the back of a simple, physical style that fit what Boston wanted. The Bruins signed him to a two-year deal with an $887,000 average annual value, and he looked every bit like a bargain. After 935:24 of ice time and a 5v5 goals-for percentage of 65.06%, it’s hard to argue he didn’t earn more trust.
Marc Sturm made the case plainly.
“I think he’s a guy who’s better without the puck because he closes, and he can skate and keeps things simple, blocks a lot of shots,” Sturm said. “So he does all those things we kind of were looking for.
He’s quick enough and strong enough. That you can’t teach.”
From- ‘Finally given NHL shot, Bruins’ Jonathan Aspirot has been difference-maker on defense’ Conor Ryan, Boston.com, 01/12/26
That kind of profile matters for a team trying to sort out its blue line. Aspirot gives Boston a low-risk, cost-controlled defenseman who has already shown he can handle top-four minutes. The question now is whether that makes him too valuable to move.
There is also another name pushing into the picture: Frederic Brunet. The Bruins appear to be high on him, and his rise could complicate the depth chart. One assessment of Brunet was especially strong:
“He was probably our best defenseman from day one right through the end of the season… He’s well on his way, now he just needs a little hit of runway in Boston… He’s ready to go, mentally, physically, his skillset, he’s an NHL player.”
That leaves Boston with a real decision. A trade involving Aspirot would probably not bring back anything major, even if he has clear value. The sense here is that moving a defenseman who just gave the Bruins top-four play on a team-friendly contract would be a tough sell.
The more likely odd man out could be Henri Jokiharju, who is listed among the defenders fighting for a spot. A return for Jokiharju has not been explored, though his strong showing at the World Championship with Finland was noted. The best guess in that scenario is a late-round pick or future considerations if general manager Don Sweeney gets lucky.
For now, Aspirot looks like the kind of player Boston should be trying to keep, not shop. The Bruins still need to sort out how Brunet fits, but the safest move may be to hold onto the defenseman who already proved he belongs.