Going into the 2026-27 season, the Boston Bruins feel like a roster that is not complete. General manager Don Sweeney has yet to address two of his team's bigger needs: a top-six center and a top-four right-shot defenseman.
JJ Peterka might end up a very nice addition to the top six as a winger after being acquired from the Utah Mammoth in June, but it feels like, aside from subtracting Viktor Arvidsson, Joonas Korpisalo, and Andrew Peeke, Boston is planning to run it back somewhat like the team that ended the season in the first round of the playoffs against the Buffalo Sabres. Here are three players and some honorable mentions who should be gone from the roster by the end of the 2026-27 season.
Casey Mittelstadt should be traded by the deadline
It feels like there is a possibility that the Bruins could be without two-thirds of their very productive second line from last season. Arvidsson already left in free agency for the Detroit Red Wings, while Mittlestadt and Pavel Zacha have been linked in trade rumors for a while.
If Sweeney moved either one of them, it should be Mittlestadt, who really has no future in Boston beyond this upcoming season. Zacha is the player that the Black and Gold need to invest in for the long term, while Mittlestadt is going to price himself out of Boston. If things aren't going well by the trade deadline, moving Mittlestadt is a no-brainer.
Mason Lohrei and Henri Jokiharju should be traded by the deadline
We're not breaking any news here, I know, but there are way too many defensemen on the roster for the upcoming season. There has to be someone getting traded, at least one player. If Sweeney moves someone, there are two clear-cut candidates: Mason Lohrei and Henri Jokiharju.
Loheri is someone who would benefit from a change of scenery to get more playing time and a fresh start. He has been up and down during his time with the Bruins, but a young blueliner with the potential that Lohrei has is someone a team would take a chance on entering the final year of his contract. As for Jokiharju, well, re-signing him was a bit of a head-scratcher last summer and will be until he's not on the roster anymore. Three years with a $3 million AAV feels like a contract that would be a candidate for a do-over if there ever was one.
Honorable mentions
- Mike Eyssimont: Signed to a two-year free agent contract last summer, and like Jokiharju, it isn't going to age well. He was scratched more times than the Bruins would have liked last season in the regular season and in the playoffs. Trying to get out of this contract is something that should be explored.
- Sean Kuraly: Is there anyone who loves to bring back former players more than Sweeney? Kuraly is a gritty fourth-line forward, but his contract is up after next season, and moving on from him by then is a no-brainer.
- Alex Steeves: Again, another contract that Sweeney might like a do-over. It's safe to say that the Boston front office jumped too quickly to extend Steeves after the hot start he had last season. Another bottom-six forward that prospects are going to have to fight with for a roster spot in training camp.
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