Summary Sunday: Boston Bruins Notes, Storylines and Rumors: November 9, 2025

Last week’s inaugural article drew an overwhelmingly positive response, with plenty of messages urging a follow-up—so here we are. There’s always something worth unpacking, and with the conversation rolling, it felt only right to keep it going. Here’s hoping this edition resonates just as strongly.

Elliotte Friedman stirred the Bruins rumor mill (again) this week in his latest 32 Thoughts, spotlighting the curious case of Mason Lohrei. While Friedman clarified, “I don’t know that there’s anything going on trade-wise with Mason Lohrei,” he added a telling caveat: “But I do know that when a talented, young player like him sits four games in a row, others call and ask what’s up.” With Lohrei scratched for multiple games despite his upside, speculation is mounting around his future in Boston—and whether rival GMs are circling.

There is no doubt teams are making calls—that’s part of the job for any NHL general manager, and just as much a responsibility for Don Sweeney to pick up the phone and listen. With Sweeney occasionally on the road scouting for Team Canada’s Olympic roster, the Bruins GM is likely engaging in more conversations than usual with his counterparts across the league.

A move may not materialize overnight—or at all—but multiple conversations can quietly lay the groundwork. Just look back to a year ago, when Sweeney was scouting for Team Canada for the Four Nations tournament. That stretch of intel and dialogue proved valuable, paying dividends when the trade deadline rolled around.

Has Lohrei faced challenges this season? Absolutely. Adjusting to the new system Head Coach Marco Sturm is demanding has proven difficult across the Bruins’ blue line, and Lohrei is no exception. But while the growing pains are real, so is his upside—there’s simply no one on the roster, or in the pipeline, with his level of offensive talent from the back end. Vashek Blanar may one day reach that tier, but that’s a long-term, multiple year projection. For now, Lohrei remains Boston’s most dynamic offensive weapon on defense, even amid the learning curve.

Fans are no strangers to the allure of the “shiny new toy” syndrome. Last season, it was Michael Callahan who captured early attention. This year, Jonathan Aspirot has stepped into that spotlight—ironically taking over for Callahan after the latter was the first blueliner called up. And two years ago, it was Lohrei who wore the crown of promise. The cycle continues, but the fascination with fresh faces remains a constant.

While there’s a growing chorus urging Sweeney to give the kids a shot and let them grow at the NHL level, it’s easy to forget that Lohrei is still just 24 years old. The development curve is still very much in motion—and he should remain a key part of Boston’s long-term blueprint. Given the current landscape, it’s hard to envision a scenario where the Bruins come out ahead in any trade involving Lohrei. With his age, upside, and unique offensive skill set on the blue line, the risk of selling low far outweighs the potential return.

Sturm appears to be striking the right chord with his group. Speaking candidly, Sturm said Lohrei “should be pissed off” about sitting out, but praised the young blueliner’s effort, noting he’s “working hard in practice and ready for when he gets back in.” It’s a message that blends accountability with opportunity—and one that could light a fire under Lohrei as he looks to re-enter the lineup.

Denis Potvin, a Hall of Fame blueliner whose legacy speaks volumes, once famously remarked, “It takes defensemen 200 games to develop in the NHL.” It’s a sentiment rooted in experience, yet not all fans are prepared to extend that runway to Lohrei.

Patience, it seems, remains in short supply.

This and That

Speaking of Blanar, the Bruins prospect is currently suiting up for Czechia at the Five Nations U-20 Tournament in Slovakia, aiming to secure a coveted spot on the World Junior Championship roster this December. Blanar is one of several Boston hopefuls looking to represent their countries. Joining him are James Hagens, Will Zellers, Will Moore, Elliott Groenewold, and Cooper Simpson—all hoping to represent Team USA—along with Jonathan Morello, looking for a shut down role for Canada (long shot).

An intriguing nugget surfaced on this week’s PuckPedia Podcast regarding the San Jose Sharks’ roster situation. The club is currently at the NHL’s 50-contract limit—a tally that notably excludes top prospect Michael Misa. His deal won’t officially count until he plays his 11th game, but once it does, San Jose will need to make a move to stay compliant. That leaves three options: trade a contract, mutually terminate one, or return Misa to junior. It’s a situation worth monitoring, especially with Misa currently sidelined week-to-week with an injury and giving the Sharks an opportunity to find a solution.

With injuries mounting and defensive depth thinning, the New Jersey Devils may be eyeing reinforcements on the back end. In a recent piece for NJHockeyNow, James Nichols highlighted the team’s growing concerns, citing both key absences and underwhelming performances from a pair of blueliners. Nichols floated a potential solution, speculating that “perhaps the Boston Bruins are toast, and Andrew Peeke can be had on an expiring deal.”

While it’s fair to say a sizable portion of Bruins fans wouldn’t lose sleep over parting with Peeke, the notion that Boston is “toast” feels premature. The Bruins remain firmly in the playoff mix, and in today’s NHL, right-shot defensemen are a rare commodity—teams don’t give them away lightly.

Could Peeke be dangled at the deadline if Boston falters? Sure. But as things stand, there’s little reason to believe he’s on the block. For now, count me among the skeptics.

It’s been a rocky start for Trent Frederic in Edmonton. The former Bruins forward is trending toward a dip in production compared to his final stretch in Boston, raising eyebrows across the league. With an eight-year deal carrying a $3.85 million AAV, the early returns aren’t flattering.

The Bruins traded Frederic to the Edmonton Oilers in a three-team deal involving the New Jersey Devils. The Bruins received defenseman Max Wanner and two draft picks – a 2025 second-round pick (Will Moore) and a 2026 fourth-round pick (traded to Buffalo for Henri Jokiharju). As part of the trade, the Oilers acquired Frederic, forward Max Jones, and the rights to unsigned prospect Petr Hauser.

It may not carry the same lopsided optics as the Brandon Carlo deal—or even the Charlie Coyle acquisition—but this move operates in a different lane entirely. Context matters, and comparisons to past trades only go so far. The dynamics here are unique, and the value can’t be measured on the same scale.

Speculation continues to swirl around Owen Tippett in Philadelphia. The trade buzz first surfaced a few weeks ago via Anthony Di Marco of Daily Faceoff, and it hasn’t quieted since. In fact, Elliotte Friedman added fuel to the fire during an appearance on the Daily Faceoff Podcast back on October 21, stopping well short of shutting the door on the possibility.

Tippett, a 26-year-old right-shot winger, checks a lot of boxes for the Bruins—both short-term and long-term. If the Flyers are truly open to moving him, it’s a situation Sweeney should monitor closely.

That said, Philadelphia’s most pressing need lies on the blueline, and Boston may not have the defensive capital to meet that price.

I’m putting together a fresh mailbag for Wednesday, and your questions are on deck. If there’s something you’d like answered—whether it’s trade buzz, lineup decisions, or prospect chatter—drop it in via the contact form above or click here to submit.