How the Bruins can upgrade on defense this offseason, from minor additions to big swings
The defense can’t rest.
The Bruins have a boatload of money tied up in their top three defensemen — Charlie McAvoy ($9.5 million salary cap hit), Hampus Lindholm ($6.5 million), and Nikita Zadorov ($5 million) — and more resources will be required to shore up a blue line corps that underperformed in the playoffs.
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Injuries, of course, were a big reason the big three were not at full speed.
McAvoy had a broken right thumb; Lindholm had a broken bone in his foot; and Zadorov had a torn MCL. Still, they all admirably played through those ailments (hockey players, right?) and helped stretch the Sabres series to six games.
Jonathan Aspirot nailed down a spot and his partnership with McAvoy cannot be understated. A career AHLer, the Bruins’ scouting staff identified Aspirot as someone who could fit in well. They were correct.
Aspirot is a steady, stay-at-home defender who closes quickly and makes quick decisions with the puck. His style allowed McAvoy to push the puck and take more chances offensively. McAvoy finished the season with career highs in assists (50) and points (61).
Signing Aspirot to a two-year extension at annual cap hit of $887,500 was a crafty, under-the-radar move by general manager Don Sweeney.
Oh, and did we mention Aspirot finished with a team-high plus-30 in 61 games?
That quartet would seem to be locked in for 2026-27 given their statuses — both with the team and contractually.
The other spots will be up for grabs, with Andrew Peeke, Mason Lohrei, Henri Jokiharju, and Jordan Harris at the top of the in-house candidates to try and lock down a consistent spot on the backline.
A look at what Sweeney and Co. could look at to either tweak and/or overhaul the defending group.
1. The safety squeeze.
Re-signing the versatile Peeke, who played with a variety of partners throughout the season, would provide a measure of stability for both the player and the team.
Dependable right-shot defenders are always in demand (remember, Peeke was held out a few times near the trade deadline), and the seven-year veteran knows Marco Sturm’s system and flashes good speed in the transition game. He can also be a hard-nosed defender who doesn’t shy away from protecting his goalie.
A three-year, $12 million pact could give Peeke the peace of mind to play freely and effectively.
2. The home run.
Darren Raddysh had a breakout, monster season for the Lightning, collecting 22 goals (his previous career high was six).
He will command a monster pay raise (his cap hit of $975,000 was among the NHL’s biggest bargains) and many teams (the Bruins included) will be ready to open their checkbooks for him on July 1.
He’s a righthanded shot who is responsible in his own end but also adept at landing his shots on net (think Johnny Boychuk circa 2011).
Sure, the red flags are there (he’s 30; and maybe this season is a one-off), but 70 points means the red lights are there, too.
Would five years at $50 million get it done?
3. The grand slam.
Make another run at Rasmus Andersson.
The Bruins kicked the tires on this right-shot defenseman in January (dangling Lohrei as part of a package) before Calgary sent him to Las Vegas where he is currently chasing a Cup.
Andersson refused to sign an extension beyond this season, which is why the Bruins balked. Though Vegas has track record of keeping their acquisitions in the fold (Boston fans are still groaning about Noah Hanifin), a big-money offer (eight years, $64 million?) from a big-market team might persuade the 29-year-old to leave Sin City.
Andersson plays with the requisite edge that would make him an almost immediate fan favorite at the Garden.
4. Extra bases.
— What to do with Lohrei?
Though he was benched in the latter stages of the postseason, the three-year veteran played well for large stretches of the regular season. He took a ton of heat after a minus-43 a season ago, but he bounced forward with a plus-17 as he adjusted to Sturm’s systems.
He described his season as “another step in the process” and expressed positivity before leaving for another spin for Uncle Sam at the World Championships.
“Always try to get faster, quicker,” said Lohrei about his summer agenda. “Foot speed, I mean, that’s a big one, is just skating and getting quicker and then continue to get stronger and fill out my frame.”
Lohrei can play in this league. If the Bruins decide it’s not here, there will be a market for him.
— Ditto for Jokiharju.
The veteran defender is on the books for two more seasons at $3 million per. That’s a more than reasonable number if he’s in the lineup. If he’s in the press box, however, that’s a big number to swallow.
He showed flashes at the tail end of the 2025-26 campaign and was serviceable at times this past season, but he needs to be more consistent.
He’s another trade candidate.
— What’s on the farm?
Frederic Brunet put up 12 goals and 36 points in 65 games with Providence.
A fifth-round pick in 2022, Brunet is a slick skater with good size (6 feet 2 inches, 199 pounds) and good vision. At the very least, Brunet could get an extended look as McAvoy serves his six-game suspension to start the season.
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