Chris Johnston on the Chris Johnston Show said “I’m a little more bullish for those who are cheering for trades in the NHL; it just feels like conversations are picking up, there’s a little bit more urgency in some spots.”
There’s certainly some truth to that. Teams like the Vancouver Canucks, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Montreal Canadiens have been actively exploring additions since the preseason. But with league-wide parity at an all-time high and the standings tightly packed, the trade market remains a seller’s paradise. Few teams are willing to part with assets this early, making any potential deal not just difficult—but costly.
Johnston also said on his show that “The Nashville Predators have made it known they’re open for business; they are anxious to start selling soon.”
Last week I mentioned that Preds defenseman Nick Blankenburg may be an interesting target for the Bruins.
Dave Pagnotta of the Fourth Period said on The Sheet “St. Louis is apparently willing to listen [to trade offers] across the board.”
There’s no shortage of intriguing talent in St. Louis, with Robert Thomas leading the pack. But make no mistake—the asking price is steep. One wrinkle worth watching: both Don Sweeney and Doug Armstrong are currently serving with Team Canada’s Olympic contingent, and that means regular communication. Could those conversations evolve into something more? Possibly. But for Sweeney, the priority must remain clear—stay disciplined, and keep both eyes locked on the long-term vision.
Pagnotta on the DFO Rundown podcast said: [The Sharks] have five defensemen who are pending UFAs, all five of those guys are gonna generate interest as the season moves along; Mario Ferraro, John Klingberg, Nick Leddy, Timothy Liljegren, Vincent Desharnais; the Sharks will listen.
With Boston searching for a right-shot defenseman and planning for the future, Liljegren stands out as a potential fit. At 26, he offers the right blend of youth and experience. The challenge: Liljegren is set to become a UFA at season’s end, meaning the Bruins would need assurances of an extension before committing assets. His $3 million cap hit also presents hurdles, particularly for a team already tight against the ceiling. San Jose does hold one retained salary slot, but any deal involving that mechanism would only increase the acquisition cost.
The rivalry between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Bruins added another chapter this week, courtesy of Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman. In his latest 32 Thoughts column, Friedman revealed that Boston edged out Toronto in the Nikita Zadorov sweepstakes last summer, reportedly offering $500,000 more than the Leafs.
With Toronto now partnered with WWE, Friedman couldn’t resist a jab: “Maybe they dress Roman Reigns against him on Jan. 4.”
And from the same article from Friedman: After back-to-back healthy scratches, word filtered that Ducks defenceman Pavel Mintyukov would like to be moved if he’s not going to play. He has fallen behind Jackson LaCombe and Olen Zellweger on the left side of Anaheim’s defence. Ian Moore, who had a strong camp, was elevated in Mintyukov’s place. This is the 10th overall pick in the 2022 draft, so Ducks GM Pat Verbeek will not be rushed into anything. Something to keep an eye on.
The 2022-23 OHL Most Outstanding defenseman might be interesting here, although he is a left shot defenseman and the Bruins most pressing need is on the right side. I’m not sure he is the right fit for the Bruins.
On Saturday the St Louis Blues placed Alexandre Texier on unconditional waivers to terminate his contract. TSN Insider Pierre LeBrun posted this on X: Hearing that 9 teams have shown interest in the soon to be free agent but it’s down to two Eastern Conference teams that Texier and agent Dan Milstein are deciding on.
It’s unclear whether the Bruins had any interest, but it’s hard to envision them as one of the final two teams LeBrun referenced. While Texier fits the age profile, his place in Boston’s lineup is difficult to project; still, if the club’s analytics suggest he’s a player worth pursuing, the organization will give the matter its due process.
LeBrun added late Saturday on X: Texier’s agent Dan Milstein plans to have calls with 2 teams Sunday once Texier becomes a free agent. Montreal is one of those 2 teams.
TSN released its top-50 players under the age of 24 and just one Bruins player made the list – James Hagens at number 38.
This and That
Matt Larkin and Uffe Bodin of Daily Faceoff recently unveiled their projected rosters for Team Sweden ahead of the upcoming Olympics. Both analysts included Hampus Lindholm and Elias Lindholm in their lineups, signaling strong confidence in the veteran duo’s continued international value.
With the Toronto Maple Leafs stumbling out of the gate, Bruins fans have already begun shifting one eye toward the 2026 NHL Draft. For those eager to scout the next wave of talent, the CHL/USA Prospects Challenge offers a prime viewing opportunity. Set for November 25–26, the event pits a team of draft-eligible CHL All-Stars against the U.S. National Development Program in a two-game showcase. Canadian viewers can catch the action on TSN and RDS, while NHL Network will carry the broadcast in the U.S. Global audiences can stream the games via Victory+.
There’s been no shortage of backlash aimed at Marco Sturm following his candid remarks about John Beecher. But let’s be honest—this is the same hockey community that routinely groans about cookie-cutter quotes from players, coaches, and executives. Then, when someone breaks the mold and speaks with blunt honesty, we recoil. These are professional athletes earning salaries most of us can only dream of. At some point, you have to wonder: when did the hockey world get so thin-skinned?
Barrie Colts netminder Ben Hrebik, who attended Boston Bruins Rookie Camp as an invitee, has been a steady presence between the pipes this season. Through 16 appearances, Hrebik holds a 7-5-1-3 record with a 3.01 goals-against average and a strong .920 save percentage. He’s been tested often—and heavily. Hrebik has faced 50 or more shots twice (1-0-0-1) and 40 or more on seven occasions, posting a 3-1-0-3 mark in those high-volume outings. Eligible again for the 2026 NHL Draft, Hrebik is a name worth tracking as the season unfolds.
Another is University of Maine goaltender Albin Boija. The Swedish-born netminder has posted a 6-3-1 record this season, backed by a 2.20 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage. While his workload has been relatively light—four of his starts have come with fewer than 20 shots against, and only two have topped the 30-shot mark—Boija continues to deliver steady, composed performances. Undrafted and unsigned, Boija was a coveted free agent last year before opting to return to Orono for another season. That decision may pay off, as interest is expected to ramp up once again when his collegiate campaign concludes. Among the teams expected to be in the mix: your Boston Bruins.
Back in the summer, I suggested that Gavin McKenna might not be the surefire top pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. Now, that sentiment is gaining traction. Sam Cosentino of Sportsnet released his latest rankings this week, and there’s a new name at No. 1—signaling a shift in the conversation around McKenna’s draft status. What was once seen as a bold take is becoming a broader debate.
At the same time McKeen’s Hockey released its latest top-32 this week, with McKenna in the No. 1 slot but noting that “the race is far from settled.” One of the more intriguing takeaways: six of the top 11 prospects are defensemen. Boston is in need of help on the blueline but, could they find themselves picking inside the top 11?
Young prospect Vashek Blanar continues to draw attention in Sweden’s U20 Nationell. The young forward has dressed for the SHL club on multiple occasions this season, though he has yet to see game action at the top level. Blanar (intentionally) remains unsigned to a professional contract. As one source explained this week: “He has a junior contract which allows him to go to college one day. He has avoided signing a pro contract for that reason.” Expect to see Blanar in the NCAA as early as next season. He is currently looking at different colleges. The source also said, “he will be leaving for the World Juniors December 10” which tells me he knows he has made the roster.
On Tuesday, Mark Divver of New England Hockey Journal reported on X that “Fabian Lysell left the ice a couple of minutes into practice and didn’t return. Watched from stands later on.”
The update quickly fueled speculation among some fans, with some suggesting attitude concerns or a lack of effort and was told to leave as possible reasons. However, those claims remain unfounded—serving as yet another reminder of how quickly narratives can form without confirmation.
Divver followed that up on Thursday with another post on X stating “Fabian Lysell (lower body) left practice after a few minutes today and watched from the stands. Same thing happened on Tues. He didn’t skate at Wed. optional practice.” All the more reason to never jump to conclusions.
With the Boston Bruins dealing with injuries at the NHL level, Providence found itself short-handed and turned to the Maine Mariners for reinforcements. Jacob Perreault got the call, and he made an immediate impact.
Holding a 2-1 lead in the third period Friday night, Perreault capitalized on a turnover at his own blueline, breaking in alone and finishing with a highlight-reel goal. It was a statement moment for the forward, who has battled through significant injuries in pursuit of his pro career. Let’s hope he can keep building.
Providence fans have plenty of reason to be excited about Simon Zajicek and his early-season play. The rookie netminder has posted a stellar 6-1-0 record, backed by a 1.70 goals-against average and a .932 save percentage.
Still, while some are quick to label his performance as “dominating,” context matters. Zajicek’s starts have come against Bridgeport twice (.437), Hartford (.437), Hershey (.677 — his lone loss), Cleveland (.500), Utica (.250), and Lehigh Valley (.647). Not exactly the cream of the crop in the AHL.
The numbers are strong, and the promise is clear, but the true test will come when Zajicek faces the league’s elite.
If and when the Bruins return to full health up front, tough lineup decisions will loom, as Marat Khusnutdinov has played his way into a regular role while Alex Steeves, steady as an injury replacement, is pushing toward deserving one himself—complicated further by the fact Steeves is just three games away from requiring waivers to be sent down.
Elias Lindholm appears to be the closest to returning, with Casey Mittelstadt tracking ahead of Viktor Arvidsson in his recovery, but barring any further setbacks, the spotlight will be on Sturm as he weighs his lineup decisions. There will be plenty of second guessing.
Dom - Hockey 