Photo: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images
Former Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson had never intended to sign a contract extension mid-season with any NHL team. There were teams interested in the 30-year-old, such as the Vegas Golden Knights and Dallas Stars. The Boston Bruins were interested and reportedly offered a 2027 first-round draft pick and 25-year-old defenseman Mason Lohrei, but they wanted to sign Andersson long-term. In the end, the Bruins might have made the right decision to maintain their stance.
Andersson was traded to the Golden Knights without a contract extension, and the Bruins were left to find help that they desperately need on the right side of their defense. However, after Frank Seravalli reported that the Bruins offered Andersson a seven-year contract at $9 million per year, many Bruins fans found comfort in the deal that never materialized. Andersson is a solid, two-way defenseman, but his numbers have declined in recent years, and that kind of commitment could potentially handcuff the Bruins long-term.
Rumors had persisted early on that Lohrei and a first-round pick were being dangled by Boston, but that young center Matt Poitras was also in the potential trade. Later, it was learned that Boston was not willing to part with either of their first-round selections in 2026 and that the Florida pick they received in the Brad Marchand deal was made available. But with contract extension talks hitting a dead end, General Manager Don Sweeney made the right move.
Boston Bruins Perspective
The Bruins are limited when it comes to young prospects with value available to trade. Lohrei is a young defenseman who has some offensive upside but has struggled defensively. With Andersson coming back in the deal, giving up Lohrei was a little more palatable. Having two potential top-20 picks this June will help Boston continue to replenish a once-depleted prospect pool. For that reason, the 2027 draft pick is more expendable.
Andersson is now with a Stanley Cup-contending team, and teams around the league now know what is available from Boston before the March 6 trade deadline. From here, Sweeney has to determine what players could help the Bruins make the postseason this year and also help down the road. At first, what looked like a rebuild has turned into more of a reload on the fly.
With David Pastrnak, Charlie McAvoy, and Jeremy Swayman all in their primes and an owner who demands playoffs, Sweeney has to make sure the team can compete for a playoff spot while building for the future. It is a tall and sometimes complicated task. The Bruins have some players on the roster who can help other teams, but is Boston willing to risk damaging the new culture that Head Coach Marco Sturm is building by trading the likes of a Viktor Arvidsson or Casey Mittelstadt? Time will tell.
For now, the Bruins are standing pat until another trade partner comes calling. Until then, Boston continues its quest for a postseason berth that was once unlikely, and they will do it without Rasmus Andersson.
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