Bruins Lock Down Mason Lohrei: A Two-Year Bet on Potential and Promise
The Boston Bruins have made a decisive move in shaping their blue line for the future, signing 24-year-old defenseman Mason Lohrei to a two-year, $6.4 million contract extension. With an annual cap hit of $3.2 million, this bridge deal signals both a vote of confidence and a challenge: prove you’re ready to be a cornerstone of the Bruins’ next chapter.
Drafted 58th overall in the second round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, Lohrei was never a flashy pick. In fact, there was some angst among many Bruins fans. But what he lacked in immediate hype, he made up for in steady development. After a standout collegiate career at Ohio State, Lohrei transitioned to the professional ranks with high expectations. His size—6-foot-5 and 220 pounds—combined with his offensive instincts, made him a tantalizing prospect for a Bruins team that has long valued two-way defensemen.
In his first full NHL season, Lohrei played 77 games, tallying five goals and 28 assists for 33 points. He led all Bruins defensemen in assists, points, and power-play production and stepped up when veterans like Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm were sidelined. To say there were hiccups is an understatement.
On paper, Lohrei’s offensive contributions are impressive. His 16 power-play points ranked second among all Bruins skaters, and he averaged nearly 20 minutes of ice time per game. But the numbers also tell a more complicated story. Lohrei finished the 2024–25 season with a league-worst -43 plus-minus rating. That stat, while not always a perfect indicator of individual performance, underscores the defensive growing pains he experienced.
When paired with Andrew Peeke, the duo struggled mightily, allowing 34 goals and posting an expected-goals against of 24.1. It’s clear that while Lohrei has the tools, he’s still learning how to use them effectively at the NHL level.
The two-year extension is a textbook bridge deal. It gives the Bruins time to evaluate Lohrei’s development without committing long-term dollars, and it gives Lohrei the opportunity to prove he’s worth a bigger payday down the line.
From a cap management perspective, the $3.2 million AAV is a manageable figure. It allows Boston to maintain flexibility while still rewarding a young player who has shown flashes of brilliance. For Lohrei, it’s a chance to bet on himself—a short-term deal that could lead to a long-term reward if he continues to grow.
This signing doesn’t happen in a vacuum. The Bruins are entering a new era. With longtime stalwarts like Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci retired, and with McAvoy and Lindholm battling injuries, the team is in the midst of a generational shift. Lohrei isn’t just a depth piece—he’s part of the foundation.
New head coach Marco Sturm has emphasized development and adaptability, and Lohrei fits that mold. Sturm’s challenge will be to put Lohrei in positions to succeed, whether that means pairing him with a more defensively sound partner or giving him more leash on the power play.
Despite his defensive lapses, Lohrei’s ceiling remains high. He’s shown he can quarterback a power play, move the puck with confidence, and log big minutes. His size and reach make him a natural fit for the modern NHL, where mobility and physicality are both prized.
What he needs now is consistency. If he can tighten up his defensive game and make smarter reads under pressure, there’s no reason he can’t become a top-four mainstay—or even a top-pairing defenseman alongside McAvoy.
Lohrei will be a restricted free agent with arbitration rights when this deal expires.
The focus now turns to Morgan Geekie, who is also an RFA. The Bruins would like to get that deal done before Juny1 as well.
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