2 Boston Bruins Trade Chips GM Don Sweeney Could Leverage for Assets – The Hockey Writers – Boston Bruins

Free agency began on July 1, and NHL teams are hurriedly making moves to outdo their competition this season.

The Boston Bruins signed right-handed defenseman Connor Clifton, bringing him back to Boston, and traded for Will Borgen from the New York Rangers to bolster their blue line. Both are NHL veterans and serve a purpose as defensive defensemen — stifling the opposition.

These trades and signings are a trend for general manager (GM) Don Sweeney, who has a glut of defensemen. Further trades to open up spaces in the lineup might be necessary. This isn’t any different for the left side, either.

With news of a possible promotion of left-handed defenseman Frederic Brunet from the Providence Bruins, the team will have to contemplate who’s next to be traded and who will be demoted.

Who Should General Manager Don Sweeney Trade?

The Bruins have options to recoup value from assets stemming from recent trades and signings. As part of the retool, we’ll see players shuffled in and out until the perfect mix is present for the team to once again dominate the Atlantic Division, as we’ve seen in the past.

Mason Lohrei, LHD

Lohrei’s name has been on the trade block recently, but there’s been no lateral movement toward any actual trade by Sweeney and the organization. Lohrei has plenty of upside for a new team to develop, and should have plenty of interest. But surprisingly, during this free agency, he’s not made the headlines in the way we’ve expected.

His value as a trade chip remains, as the 58th-overall selection in 2020 has yet to reach his full potential wearing the spoked B.

Per Sports Forecaster, what we could expect from him if he continues to develop:

For a player with his size (6-foot-5), he is silky smooth in the skating department and plenty mobile. Displays plenty of poise when on the ice. Needs to fill out and become physically stronger in order to maximize output at the highest level. Is more of a complementary point producer than a full-fledged offensive stud.

Lohrei has played 191 games as a Bruin and recorded 72 points (16 goals, 56 assists); he has 14 games of playoff experience, recording four points (one goal, three assists).

As a future restricted free agent and a cost-controlled contract ($3.2 million average annual value), the Bruins could see great value in return for the 25-year-old blueliner.

Henri Jokiharju, RHD

After a gold-medal run at the IIHF World Championship, there’s not enough smoke around Henri Jokiharju’s name somehow. The veteran defenseman didn’t have an amazing year as a Bruin in 2025-26, as he dealt with an injury in the first half before being activated in January.

Jokiharju suited up for 41 games for the Bruins on the bottom pairing. He only recorded 15 points, and managed to stay on the positive side of the scoresheet with a plus-two rating.

Jokiharju’s trade value is higher than it’s ever been after a stellar performance in the World Championship, recording eight points and leaving the tournament with a gold medal and a plus-10 rating.

Bruins Have Yet To Take Advantage Of This Seller’s Market

The Bruins have assets they could move without issue and both players could find utilization on rebuilding teams. Jokiharju could serve as a depth option for a bubble team or sixth or seventh defenseman on a contending team.

Sweeney pulled a rabbit out of his hat with the JJ Peterka trade, and by promoting Michael DiPietro, he made two moves that bought goodwill with the fanbase.

Now is the time to optimize his assets and get the slate ready for the 2026-27 season by finding trade partners for both players above.