The Mason Lohrei experience felt like it hit a brutal end in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs when Marco Sturm lost trust in the left-shot puck-moving defenseman and made him a healthy scratch. With the Boston Bruins struggling to get the puck out of their zone and needing help from the back end, it felt like a scenario where if Lohrei couldn't help them now, then when could he?
With Lohrei's stock at an all-time low after the playoffs, it wouldn't have been the smartest time to trade him, but now the Bruins have an abundance of defensemen, and someone is going to have to be shown the door. Lohrei still has some potential as an offensive defenseman, and could Boston use that to find a trade partner before the new season begins?
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens currently have just six defensemen under contract for next season, and Arber Xhekaj remains unsigned. Adam Engstrom is waiting in the wings to help their left-shot defense depth if Xhekaj ends up leaving town, but the team might be wary of placing that responsibility on him. That concern is heightened by the fact that an oft-injured Kaiden Guhle and depth defenseman Jayden Struble are two of their three left-shot defensemen.
With that in mind, Lohrei might be a bit of a redundant option for the Canadiens, as they already have plenty of puck-moving ability on their blueline. However, after missing out early in the offseason, their left side has fewer upgrade options, which still makes Lohrei a fit if the Bruins opt to shop him again.
Calgary Flames
The Bruins dodged a massive mistake when Rasmus Andersson decided against signing a long-term extension there last season, as the trade to acquire him from the Calgary Flames was reportedly a done deal until it hit that snag. Since the reported return in that deal included Mason Lohrei and Matthew Poitras, it could be worth heading back to the negotiating table to see if Calgary is still interested.
The Flames would be a great fit for Lohrei, as he would get much more opportunity under less of a microscope than last season, when he was playing top-pair minutes with Charlie McAvoy. It'd also be a great destination for Bruins fans' hearts, as they wouldn't have to watch his breakout season come on a rival like the Canadiens if the left-shot enigma does finally figure it out.
San Jose Sharks
Adding to the theory of sending Lohrei out West, the San Jose Sharks would be a great destination for him to grow with the team's young core while still getting sheltered by some other bigger defensemen. San Jose entered this offseason with just two NHL defenders under contract and added Darnell Nurse, Jacob Trouba, and Michael Kesselring.
The Sharks adding one more piece in Lohrei would make a ton of sense, including him in a solid top-six with the three newcomers, Sam Dickinson, and ex-Bruin Dmitry Orlov.
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