The NHL offseason is heating up, and the Boston Bruins are right in the thick of it. With eight new players joining the fold, it's clear the Bruins are making moves to shake things up.
While they didn't make any noise in the first round of the NHL Draft, the Bruins were busy on day two, securing seven new prospects. They also pulled off a couple of trades. One was a straight-up swap of draft picks, but the other saw a former first-rounder leaving town in exchange for forward Ivan Ivan.
Day two of the draft might not have had the same fireworks as day one, but there were still plenty of noteworthy moves. Brandon Carlo was traded yet again, this time for a return that was less than what Brad Treliving initially paid. The exclusive negotiation rights for John Carlson were also dealt, adding another layer of intrigue.
Meanwhile, Elliotte Friedman dropped a bombshell about the Kings not planning to extend one of their franchise cornerstones this summer. There's buzz surrounding Dylan Larkin's trade situation, and the Penguins made headlines by uniting the Ruck twins.
The San Jose Sharks made a splash of their own by selecting a 7-foot-1 Moldovan defenseman in the seventh round, setting a new record in the process.
Let's dive into the latest updates from the Bruins and around the league:
Boston Bruins
Draft Picks: The Bruins wrapped up the NHL Draft by making seven selections on the second day. Their first pick at No. 56 was Yuri Ivanov, a promising Russian goalie.
It's noteworthy that the Bruins picked another Russian and another goaltender for the first time since 2002. Additionally, they added two Swedish wingers and two defensemen to their roster.
The Bruins had a pressing need for right-shot defensemen, but they didn't address it until the seventh round. Ryan Nadeau, the director of amateur scouting, emphasized their commitment to sticking with their draft board.
Ivan Ivan Trade: In a trade that might seem minor at first glance, the Bruins sent 2021 first-round pick Fabian Lysell packing for undrafted forward Ivan Ivan. Lysell's time in Boston didn't pan out, and GM Don Sweeney remarked, “it’s the right thing to do for him personally, and hopefully professionally.”
Colorado Eagles Connection: Yes, Ivan Ivan is indeed his name. His father, Marek Ivan, often faced confusion over his own name, leading him to simplify things for his son.
NHL News & National Hockey Now
Sportsnet: Brandon Carlo is set to reunite with Jim Montgomery next season after being traded to the St. Louis Blues for two third-round picks. The Blues will absorb the last year of Carlo’s contract, with the Bruins retaining $615,000 of Carlo’s cap hit from a previous trade to Toronto.
ESPN: The Hurricanes have acquired the rights to negotiate with UFA John Carlson by trading a seventh-round pick and a minor league defenseman. With $11,105,182 in cap space, they have some room to maneuver.
Elliotte Friedman: In a surprising turn, the LA Kings will not be extending defenseman Drew Doughty this offseason. Despite having spent his entire career in Los Angeles, any decisions regarding Doughty's future will be postponed until after the 2026-27 season.
Detroit Hockey Now: Steve Yzerman addressed the media, stating he’s in no rush to accommodate Dylan Larkin’s trade request. He emphasized his duty to act in the best interest of the team.
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The Penguins made a family affair out of the draft by selecting the Ruck twins, Liam and Markus, with their 22nd and 39th overall picks, respectively. This move came amid rumors that other teams were eyeing Markus to spark trade talks with Kyle Dubas.
San Jose Hockey Now: The Sharks made history by drafting Alexander Karmanov, a towering 7-foot-1 defenseman from Moldova, in the seventh round. This pick adds a unique twist to their already impressive draft class.
Sportsnet: For those keeping track, there were 32 goalies drafted, all on the second day of the draft.
Stay tuned for more updates as the Bruins continue to navigate the offseason landscape.
In Other News...
Bruins May Not Be Done Shaking Up This Roster
The Bruins have already made one notable move by sending Fabian Lysell to Colorado for Ivan Ivan, but the roster churn may not stop there as the front office keeps weighing its next steps. Boston is still sorting through a lineup that has to fit both short-term competitiveness and longer-term flexibility, which is why even established names are coming up in trade conversations.
Pavel Zacha is the most notable one to watch, especially after a strong season that reminded everyone how important he can be in a top-six role. Mason Lohrei and Joonas Korpisalo are also being mentioned as possible trade candidates as the Bruins continue to balance age, upside, and performance with the realities of the roster they want to build. [Read more 🡒]
Bruins Could Be On Verge Of Losing Arvidsson To A Rival
Viktor Arvidsson remains one of the more interesting names on the Bruins offseason board as late June rolls on. He is a pending unrestricted free agent, and Boston has yet to get an extension done, leaving the door open for a decision that could shape how the team handles the rest of its summer business.
There is still time for the Bruins to work toward a new deal, but the longer this stretches on, the more the situation starts to feel like a real test of their priorities. Arvidssons market is drawing attention elsewhere, and if Boston cannot find common ground soon, it will have to weigh the cost of letting a useful piece drift toward free agency. [Read more 🡒]
Bruins Face A Familiar Blue Line Dilemma As Defense Buzz Grows
The Bruins blue line has become a familiar conversation piece again, even with the front office already busy reshaping the roster after landing JJ Peterka from the Utah Mammoth before the NHL Entry Draft. Boston had its sights on Rasmus Andersson at one point, too, in a deal with Calgary that never got across the finish line before the defenseman wound up with the Vegas Golden Knights. Between the Peterka move and the earlier flirtation with Andersson, the Bruins have made it clear they are still looking for ways to balance the lineup around both immediate help and longer-term fit.
Anderssons name is likely to keep circulating in Boston circles because the Bruins have shown interest before, and the fit on the back end is easy to imagine from a roster-building standpoint. The wrinkle is that nothing is settled yet, and any future pursuit would depend on a lot of moving parts lining up at the right time. For now, it remains one of those offseason threads that hangs over the team until the market clarifies and Boston decides how aggressively it wants to keep chasing a familiar target. [Read more 🡒]