The Boston Bruins begin training camp next week, and there are questions surrounding the roster and who will and won't be on it on Sept. 29, when they host the New York Rangers at TD Garden.
Simply put, there are just way too many defensemen for second-year head coach Marco Sturm, and there are going to have to be some decisions made. Some players could be sent to the Providence Bruins in the American Hockey League (AHL), while others could be put on waivers, and some could be traded. One of those blueliners who would generate a lot of trade interest is youngster Mason Lohrei.
He has been the subject of trade rumors for some time, and will the time finally come when general manager Don Sweeney makes a move? Lyle Richardson of Bleacher Report believes it is becoming more and more of a possibility.
Mason Lohrei is projected to be a Bruins trade candidate to fix a glaring roster need
Some fans want to see youngster Frederic Brunet secure a spot on defense when the season begins, and let's not forget that the Black and Gold will be without Charlie McAvoy for the first six games as he serves his suspension for slashing Zach Benson at the end of Game 6 of last season's playoff series.
However, the Bruins still have a rather big roster need, and that's down the middle. Richardson believes that Lohrei could address that as part of a trade.
"The Bruins may not be shopping Lohrei, but they could be open to trade offers. They also have a crowded blue line this season, which could make him a trade chip to address other roster issues, such as depth at center,'' wrote Richardson.
Before the Bruins bring on another center, you have to think they have to decide on the future of Pavel Zacha. He will be a free agent at the end of the 2026-27 season, and if Sweeney and the Bruins don't see him as a long-term piece of the roster, that could be very expensive, between $ 8 and $ 9 million. That's a lot to have locked up down the middle with both Fraser Minten and Elias Lindholm each already making over $7 million.
Lohrei is in the final season of a deal that has an AAV of $3.2 million this season. He will be a restricted free agent next summer with arbitration rights. As we have seen before, those usually don't end well between a player and Sweeney. Rarely does it.
Loheri will likely begin camp in Boston, and if we're being honest, it would be stunning if he isn't on the Opening Night roster. Strange things have happened, but seeing the Black and Gold moving him right now feels like a long shot, at best.
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