The NHL trade market is always about timing-and right now, the Boston Bruins are staring down not one, but two clocks. The first is the traditional March trade deadline.
The second, and arguably more urgent, is the Olympic roster freeze on February 4. And as that date creeps closer, all signs point to Boston being in the thick of trade talks, with Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson emerging as the prime target.
The Flames’ Timeline, the Bruins’ Dilemma
Let’s start with the pressure point: Calgary wants to move Andersson before the Olympic break. It’s a logical move for the Flames.
Andersson, a key piece of their blue line and one of their most valuable trade chips, is expected to represent Sweden in the upcoming Winter Games. One injury on international ice, and his trade value could crater.
So Calgary’s front office is pushing for a deal now-before the freeze locks rosters and before any risk of injury derails their plans.
For Boston, that means the luxury of waiting is off the table. If GM Don Sweeney wants Andersson, he’s going to have to move fast-and pay up.
The Price Tag: Lohrei and a First
The rumored return package? Young defenseman Mason Lohrei and a 2026 first-round pick.
On paper, it’s a steep price. But Boston does have some flexibility here.
Thanks to a previous trade involving Brandon Carlo, the Bruins are sitting on two first-rounders in the 2026 draft. That gives them the draft capital to make a splash-if they believe the reward is worth the risk.
But that’s where things get complicated. Because this isn’t just a question of talent-for-talent.
It’s a philosophical crossroads for a franchise that, just last year, pivoted toward a “competitive retool.” Trading a promising rookie and a first-round pick for a 29-year-old veteran feels like a shift back toward “win-now” mode.
Lohrei: Potential vs. Proven
This is where the debate really heats up. Lohrei is the kind of player that splits opinion.
At 6-foot-4 with a smooth stride and offensive instincts, he’s shown flashes of becoming a top-four puck mover-something that doesn’t grow on trees. He’s already posted 19 points and carries a positive plus-minus, which, while not a perfect stat, does hint at his on-ice impact.
But with that upside comes growing pains. Turnovers, defensive lapses, and a lack of physical edge have raised eyebrows. In a Bruins system that’s long prided itself on defensive structure, Lohrei’s freewheeling style doesn’t always fit neatly.
So the question becomes: do you trade the potential of Lohrei for the certainty of Andersson? Because Andersson is a known commodity.
He’s a legit top-four, right-shot defenseman who can log heavy minutes, move the puck, and hold his own in tough matchups. He’s the kind of player you can plug in tomorrow and trust in a playoff series.
But he’s also the kind of player who’s about to get paid.
The Cap Crunch: Andersson’s Next Deal
Right now, Andersson is a bargain at $4.55 million against the cap. But that number is temporary. He’s a pending unrestricted free agent, and projections for his next contract are landing in the neighborhood of seven years at roughly $8.46 million per season.
That’s a big number for a player about to hit his 30s. And it’s a commitment that would echo some of the past long-term deals in Boston that haven’t always aged gracefully. With Charlie McAvoy already anchoring the right side, and depth pieces like Henri Jokiharju and Andrew Peeke under scrutiny, adding Andersson would shore up that side of the blue line-but it would also tie up serious cap space for years.
The Draft Pick: A Risky Gamble
Then there’s the 2026 first-round pick. Scouts are already buzzing about that draft class, calling it one of the deepest in recent memory. Names like Gavin McKenna are being floated as potential franchise-changers.
Now, the Bruins are hoping that pick lands somewhere in the late 20s. But this is the NHL-nothing is guaranteed.
Injuries, slumps, or just plain bad luck can turn a contender into a lottery team faster than you think. Giving up that kind of pick, especially when paired with Lohrei, is a gamble with long-term consequences.
A Team on the Rise-Without a Trade
All of this would be easier to justify if the Bruins were floundering. But they’re not. They’ve won six of their last seven, and the pieces are starting to click.
Goaltending, which was a major concern early in the season, has tightened up in a big way. Joonas Korpisalo and Jeremy Swayman have posted back-to-back shutouts, stabilizing the crease and reducing the urgency to overcompensate on defense.
And perhaps most importantly, Jonathan Aspirot has emerged as a legitimate top-pairing option. His presence has allowed McAvoy to play a more aggressive, offensive-minded game, and the pairing has looked strong. If Aspirot continues to play at this level, the Bruins may already have their internal solution on the blue line.
The Big Picture
There’s no question Andersson would make the Bruins better right now. He’s a playoff-tested, right-shot defenseman who fills a need and fits the mold. But the cost-Lohrei, a premium draft pick, and a looming $8.5 million AAV extension-forces the front office to decide what kind of team they believe they have.
Is this group a legitimate Cup contender in 2026? If the answer is yes, then maybe you make the move. But if the long-term plan is still about getting younger while staying competitive, then standing pat might be the smarter play.
The clock is ticking. The Olympic freeze is coming. And the Bruins are about to show just how much they believe in the team they’ve built.