When Boston Bruins general manager Don Sweeney looked to add in free agency in the summer of 2021, he narrowed in on one defenseman: Derek Forbort. Boston's GM was looking to add some physicality on the back end. He was signed to a three-year, $9 million contract, a Don Sweeney special with an AAV of $3 million.
He played well in his first season in Boston, and it was his best one in terms of overall play. He played in 76 games with four goals and 10 assists while averaging 18:07 per night. However, over his final two seasons with the Black and Gold, injuries played a big role in limiting his time on the ice, and he left in free agency following the 2023-24season.
After hitting free agency again, Forbort joined Bruins teammate Jake DeBrusk in signing with the Vancouver Canucks. However, like DeBrusk, his tenure with the Canucks didn't go as he would like, only playing in 56 games, two in 2025-26. Now, with training camps set to begin in less than a month, he is still an unrestricted free agent looking for a job.
Former Bruins defenseman Derek Forbort remains unsigned and is a PTO option
A former first-round pick of the Los Angeles Kings, the 15th overall pick in the 2010 Entry Draft, the 6-foot-4, 216-pound left-shot should draw some interest for the upcoming season and would be a perfect PTO candidate for some teams.
However, let's be serious, and no, Forbort is not an option for the Bruins. There is no shot of a reunion happening. Boston already has an overload of defensemen that Sweeney and second-year head coach Marco Sturm need to figure out how to trim down. Mason Lohrei is someone who is a trade candidate, but once Charlie McAvoy comes back from his suspension, decisions are going to have to be made. In fact, some decisions are going to have to be made before the season begins, and the number of blueliners needs to be trimmed down.
As for Forbort. It isn't surprising that he remains unsigned, as there are real questions surrounding his health. Injuries have played a big part over his career, and whether it was in Boston or Vancouver, he seems to be unlucky when it comes to injuries. Former Boston defenseman Matt Grzelcyk had to go the PTO route a couple of years ago, and he ended up with the Chicago Blackhawks. It wouldn't be surprising to see a team take a shot with Forbort in the same fashion for training camp.
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