The Olympics are in the books, and with Team USA claiming gold, the spotlight swings back to NHL business as the trade freeze lifts Sunday night at 11:59 p.m. The break didn’t slow the rumor mill, though—speculation kept churning even while league action was paused.
Fluto Shinzawa of The Athletic regarding Andrew Peeke: If a contender is eager to add right-side depth, the Bruins would be interested in adding to their pipeline.
They should, without question — even if that addition ultimately becomes a trade asset in another move.
Johan Svensson and Mattias Persson of Expressen (Sweden): More than half the NHL teams including the Bruins, who sent a team of scouts to Gothenburg recently have expressed interest in free agent Theodor Niederbach.
Niederbach is reported to have an “apparent out clause” in his deal — a mechanism he’d need to activate if he intends to leave, since he’s already under contract with Frölunda in the SHL for next season.
My understanding is that the current NHL–SHL Player Transfer Agreement gives every SHL player an NHL out clause, but it must be exercised — and an NHL contract signed — by June 15 to keep the transfer fee at roughly $380,000, with any move after that date still permitted but triggering a significantly higher fee for the NHL club.
The NHL-SHL PTA also states that any player under the age of 24 must make the NHL roster or be loaned back to his Swedish squad. In other words, the AHL is not an option. However, Niederbach turns 24 on February 25, so there is no issue there.
A team could sign him and bring him over immediately, but he’d have to clear waivers first, and that’s where the real question lies: if there’s truly interest from half the league, it’s hard to imagine he’d make it through unclaimed.
Darren Dreger on First Up: I don’t have this rock solid, but there is a sense that maybe there are deals that were more or less agreed to, not finalized but agreed to in terms of the level of negotiating, prior to the start of the Olympic roster freeze.
Thomas Drance on Donnie and Dhali regarding the Canucks: We’ll see if they sort of move on any of their other veteran forwards that are signed long term, but the sense I got prior to the trade freeze was that the club’s not proactively looking to do that.
Totally against everything else that is being thrown out there isn’t it?
More from Drance from The Athletic regarding Evander Kane: The market for his services, even if 50 percent of his salary and cap hit is retained, is lukewarm.
A 50 percent retention brings the cap hit to just over $2.5 million, and there may be a team willing to bite at that price. It’s doubtful the Bruins are one of them, and that’s probably a good thing.
Dave Pagnotta on The Sheet: A lot of smoke. I would be surprised if he’s [Blake Coleman] not moved by the deadline.
Pagnotta on Daily Faceoff Live: I look at Tampa, and there was a lot of talk about Tampa looking to add up front. We know they’ve got a little bit of interest in bringing Blake Coleman back.
More Pagnotta regarding Evgeni Malkin: At some point between now and, I guess the weekend when the Olympics end, they’re expected to have a conversation to decide the next steps for Geno’s career.
Malkin is difficult to imagine in anything other than a Penguins uniform
And Pagnotta weighs in on Jordan Kyrou on DFO Rundown: He’s kind of just waiting to see when that happens, is it between now and the 6th, or is it gonna be in the summer around the draft?
Mike Rupp on DFO Rundown regarding Jordan Kyrou and the New York Islanders: That would be the one team that I think can make it happen in-season, and they’ve got Cole Eiserman, someone that they would be, I think willing to move, and be part of a package.
Is Mike Milbury the General Manager on the Island again?
Renaud Lavoie on La Mise en Echec regarding Nazem Kadri and the Montreal Canadiens: Indeed, there is interest. But just because there’s interest doesn’t mean a trade will happen. In fact, it would be really unwise for the Canadiens to pursue that contract.
Lavoie doesn’t get nearly enough credit. He never resorts to throwing things at the wall to see what sticks, and the game could use more reporters with his consistency and purpose.
Chris Johnston from The Athletic: There was a time when Montreal might have held out hope Sidney Crosby would become available. That ship has now sailed. Surveying the list of other veteran centers available, they might not get a shot to add anyone better than Nazem Kadri.
Like Malkin, for a player so synonymous with a franchise, imagining Crosby in anything other than a Penguins sweater feels almost unthinkable.
Bruce Garrioch from the Ottawa Citizen: The Senators have a genuine interest in Calgary Flames defenseman MacKenzie Weegar to help the right side. We’re led to believe he would waive his no-move clause to suit up in his hometown.
Frank Seravalli on the Big Show throws his 2 cents in about Weegar: Not a lot, but I could see that heating up. The contract and cost control is pretty impressive.
Elliotte Friedman on Oilers Now: Nashville’s owner was here [Olympics], and I’ve just heard that he left. He went home, but I had a couple people tell me, watch some of their guys.
Barry Trotz announced on February 2, 2026, that he would retire and remain in his GM role through the March 6 trade deadline. From an ownership perspective, it’s fair to question whether a departing executive is the right person to be making deadline‑level decisions.
Trotz is widely respected across the league, and there’s little doubt he’d handle the job responsibly. But with the organization at a pivotal point, it’s fair to ask whether roster decisions should fall to the incoming general manager. As President of Hockey Operations, the final call will still rest with Trotz, but the timing raises legitimate questions about who should be shaping the club’s direction.
Friedman on 32 Thoughts regarding Adam Ruzicka: That’s a guy who kind of fell out of the NHL and you watch him now [for Slovakia] and you say, I could see someone calling.
Pagnotta talks Alex Tuck first on Leafs Morning Skate: There’s nothing going on there, nothing of progress anyway with Buffalo so far.
Pagnotta then on Daily Faceoff Live: The lines of communication are open, the door is open, but there just hasn’t been any significant progress to date.
This and That
Bruins prospect Elliott Groenewold, a 2024 fourth‑round pick and Quinnipiac blueliner, began the weekend sitting 10th all‑time in modern D‑I NCAA single‑season plus/minus and fourth best among defensemen. He was minus-2 on the weekend, temporarily knocking him out of the top-10.
I got a kick out of the back‑and‑forth on X between Darren Dreger and Dr. Harjas Grewal over the Crosby injury, mostly because watching a hockey insider criticize a doctor for “speculating” feels a bit rich when speculation is the backbone of the insider business — especially given how much contradictory guesswork those same insiders have churned out in recent weeks.
NOTE: Because of issues uploading stats from HockeyDB, I have switched to Quant Hockey. This should not affect you in any way.
Liam Pettersson – Vaxjo Lakers – U20 Nationell
Vaxjo squared off against Vashek Blanar and HV71 on Wednesday and came away with a 5–1 victory. Pettersson added a late power‑play marker to make it 4–1 and effectively put the game out of reach, giving the blueliner his fifth goal of the season in just his 15th appearance. Pettersson took a pass at the left point, skated into the slot and unleashed a perfectly placed shot. Pettersson finished a plus-1 and had 6 shots on goal – five less than the previous Wednesday.
On Saturday, Vaxjo lost 5-2 to Linkoping. Pettersson did not factor into the scoring. He finished a minus-1 with 2 shots on goal.
Vashek Blanar – HV71 – U20 Nationell
In Wednesday’s 5-1 loss to Vaxjo, Blanar had zeroes across the board. Blanar finished a minus-1 with 2 shots on goal.
On Friday, HV71 came up short in a 5–4 loss to Frolunda. Blanar was held off the scoresheet as HV71 fell to 9‑19‑2 on the season, a record that leaves the club unlikely to qualify for the next round of the J20 Nationell. Blanar finished a minus-1 with one shot on goal.
Kirill Yemelyanov – Loko Yaroslav – MHL
Loko responded emphatically to Sunday’s shootout loss to Krasnaya Armiya, rolling to a 7–2 win on Monday. Yemelyanov led the way with a goal and an assist, adding three shots on goal while going 14‑for‑26 on draws in 16:25 of ice time. He opened the scoring with 17 seconds left in the first period, carrying the puck into the zone before a broken drop pass deflected off a defender, allowing a teammate to jump on it and find Yemelyanov at the top of the crease for a redirect — a familiar spot for him.
On Thursday, Loko edged JHC Spartak 3–2, bringing an end to Yemelyanov’s impressive seven‑game point streak in which he piled up seven goals and seven assists. The forward finished minus‑1 on the night, registered three shots on goal, went 13‑for‑17 in the faceoff circle, and logged 18:15 of ice time.
Spartak responded in Friday’s rematch with a 6–3 victory, handing Yemelyanov a second straight game without a point. The forward failed to record a shot on goal, went 11‑for‑16 in the faceoff circle, and logged 12:33 of ice time, including just 1:40 in the opening period.
Casper Nassen – Miami (Ohio)
Miami was shut out 1–0 by North Dakota on Friday night. Nassen, who has recently been skating on the fourth line, posted zeros across the board in the loss.
The rematch required overtime, and North Dakota emerged with a 4–3 victory. Nassen posted zeros across the board while skating on the fourth line once again.
William Zellers, – University of North Dakota
As noted above, North Dakota shut out Miami 1–0 on Friday. Zellers did not factor into UND’s lone goal and turned in a relatively quiet outing, finishing with two shots on net.
North Dakota took the rematch as well, this time in overtime. Zellers was held off the scoresheet again, finished at minus‑1, and registered three shots on goal.
Since returning from the World Junior Championships, Zellers production has dipped to 4 goals (.36 GPG) and 4 assists in 11 games (.72 PPG). He had 10 goals (.55 GPG) and 5 assists in 18 games prior (.83 PPG).
James Hagens, Oskar Jellvik, Andre Gasseau, Dean Letourneau, Kristian Kostadinski, Will Moore – Boston College
Boston College claimed the Beanpot title with a 6–2 win over Boston University on Monday, overcoming a shaky first period in which they looked disconnected and out of rhythm. Trailing 1–0 late in the opening frame, Gasseau pulled BC even on the power play, driving to the net, taking a feed, and slipping it through the goaltender. Tournament MVP James Hagens picked up the secondary assist on the play.
With a 2–1 lead, Hagens set up the eventual game‑winner late in the second period, again working the power play. Holding the puck in the left corner, he curled up toward the blue line, shifted his angle, and fed the point for a shot that navigated traffic and stretched the lead to two.
Gasseau pushed the lead to 4–1 with his second power‑play marker of the night, once again driving the net and showcasing his strength in tight. He battled through a defender’s stick to hammer home a rebound into an open cage.
After BU cut the deficit to two, Dean Letourneau restored control, showcasing his soft hands in tight. Taking a pass at the top of the crease, he quickly pulled the puck forehand‑to‑backhand and buried his 16th of the season to put the game out of reach.
Will Moore missed the game and BC was forced to go with 11 forwards and 8 defensemen. Kristian Kostadinski finished with a plus-1 and 15:18 time on ice on the blueline. Oskar Jellvik is still out with an injury.
Boston College jumped out to a strong start Friday, with Hagens and Letourneau staking the Eagles to a 2–0 lead with five minutes remaining in the opening period. But Merrimack seized momentum from there, striking for four unanswered goals to rally for a 4–2 victory.
Hagens opened the scoring when Gasseau won a battle behind the net and delivered a slick, behind‑the‑back feed into the slot, where an unmarked Hagens buried it for the early lead. Letourneau doubled the advantage minutes later, taking a pass at the Merrimack blue line, skating into the left circle, and ripping home a shorthanded wrist shot to make it 2–0.
That would be it for BC. Hagens had 4 shots on goal, was an even plus/minus and went 2 for 8 on the dot with 21:28 time on ice. Letourneau also had 4 shots on goal, was a minus-1 and was 4 for 11 on the dot with 20:08 time on ice. Gasseau had 1 shot on goal and was a minus-1 with 21:36 time on ice while Kostadinski had 1 shot on goal and was a minus-1 with 12:35 time on ice. Will Moore and Oskar Jellvik did not play because of injury.
BC bounced back with a 4–2 win in Saturday’s rematch. Trailing 2–1 with 1:28 left in the second period, Hagens pulled the Eagles even on the power play. Skating down the right wing, he sent a backhand pass toward the front of the net that deflected off a defender’s skate and in before reaching his intended target.
Hagens then picked up the secondary assist on the game‑winner with 36 seconds remaining. BC sealed it with an empty‑net goal in the final two seconds.
Hagens finished a plus-1, 4 shots on goal and 19:33 time on ice. Letourneau was pointless, had three shots on goal and was 9 for 18 on the dot with 21:09 time on ice. Kostadinski had zeroes across the board with 8:30 time on ice. Gasseau was also pointless, a plus-1 and 9 for 12 on the dot with 21:53 time on ice. Jellvik and Moore are out with injuries.
Chris Pelosi, Elliott Groenewold – Quinnipiac University
Quinnipiac rolled past Princeton 4–1 on Saturday, once again without Chris Pelosi in the lineup. With the game knotted at 1–1, Groenewold delivered the go‑ahead goal just 22 seconds into the second period, slipping free to the left side of the crease and tapping in a back‑door feed.
He then helped put the game out of reach with a highlight‑reel stretch pass, threading it from his own blue line to a teammate at the opposing blue line. The feed landed right on the tape despite two defenders closing in.
Sunday brought the same result against the same opponent, with Pelosi still out of the lineup. Groenewold didn’t factor into the scoring, failed to record a shot on goal, and logged 23:03 of ice time – his sixth highest total of the season.
Jonathan Morello – Boston University
Boston University fell 4–1 to New Hampshire on Friday night. Morello was held off the scoresheet, finishing 5‑for‑12 on faceoffs with just 8:55 of ice time.
BU responded with a 5–3 win in Saturday’s rematch. Morello was held off the scoresheet, finished at minus‑1, and recorded one shot on goal while going 7‑for‑12 on draws in 12:33 of ice time.
Beckett Hendrickson – University of Minnesota
Minnesota and Notre Dame officially skated to a 2–2 draw on Friday, with the Irish securing the shootout. Hendrickson, elevated to the second line for this matchup, finished minus‑1 with three shots on goal and logged 18:38 of ice time.
Minnesota dropped the rematch on Saturday, falling 3–2 to the same Irish squad. Hendrickson went pointless, finished at minus‑1, and recorded two shots on goal in 16:47 of ice time while skating on the second line again.
Ryan Walsh – Cornell University
Cornell also went to a shootout Friday, though the game is officially recorded as a 1–1 tie despite the Big Red winning the skills competition. Walsh was held off the scoresheet, finishing with one shot on goal while going 10‑for‑19 on faceoffs and logging 21:44 of ice time. He converted on his shootout attempt.
Cornell’s winless streak stretched to three games with Saturday’s 4–1 loss to Union. Walsh picked up an assist on Cornell’s lone goal, finished at minus‑2, and went 9‑for‑16 on draws while logging 20:19 of ice time.
Walsh, who led his team in scoring for much of the season, is now tied for third in team scoring.
Mason Langenbrunner – Harvard University
Harvard secured third place at the Beanpot on Monday with a 4–1 win over Northeastern. Langenbrunner didn’t factor into the scoring but registered two shots on goal and logged 22:15 of ice time — the twelfth time in 23 games he’s topped the 20‑minute mark.
Harvard and Brown skated to yet another officially recorded 2–2 tie on Friday, with the Bears securing the shootout win. Langenbrunner was held off the scoresheet, registering one shot on goal and finishing minus‑1 while logging 21:27 of ice time.
Langenbrunner did not play in the team’s 3-2 overtime loss to Yale on Saturday.
Philip Svedeback – Providence College
Injured.
Cooper Simpson – Youngstown – USHL
Youngstown fell 3-2 to Muskegon in overtime on Friday. Simpson was held off the scoresheet, was a minus-2 and held to just one shot on goal.
On Saturday, Youngstown lost by the same 3-2 score to Muskegon, but this time in regulation. Simpson had an assist and was a minus-1 with three shots on goal in the loss.
On Sunday, Youngstown dropped its third straight game to Muskegon (all at home) —a 5–2 loss—leaving them outscored 11–6 across the three‑game set. Simpson picked up an assist on a power‑play goal with 11 seconds remaining, finished at minus‑1, and was held without a shot on goal for the first time this season.
Cole Chandler – Shawinigan – QMJHL
Shawinigan came up short Wednesday, dropping a 6–2 decision to Charlottetown. Chandler did manage an assist for the Cataractes, recording an assist, finishing plus‑1, registering a shot on goal, and winning six of his 11 draws.
Halifax edged out a 2–1 shootout victory on Thursday, despite a more competitive effort from Shawinigan. Chandler was held off the scoresheet, finishing minus‑1 with three shots on goal while winning 10 of 16 faceoffs. The veteran forward remains in search of his first goal of February.
Shawinigan pushed Saint John to overtime on Saturday but ultimately fell 3–2. Chandler posted zeros across the board and went 4‑for‑12 on faceoffs.
Shawinigan closed out its Maritimes road trip with another setback, falling 6–2 to Moncton. Chandler opened the scoring with 5:22 left in the first, taking a pass to the right of the net and beating the goaltender before he could get across. He finished even on the night, recorded two shots on goal, and went 6‑for‑14 on draws. He also dropped the gloves and was assessed a game misconduct for fighting in the final five minutes with a two‑goal‑or‑more differential.
Cole Spicer – Western Michigan
Western Michigan defeated Arizona State 6-2 on Friday. Cole Spicer did not play.
They also won Saturday’s game by a score of 7-2. Spicer did not play.
Providence Bruins
Providence 4 – Bridgeport 2
Providence pushed its winning streak to 11 games on Saturday with a 4–2 victory over Bridgeport. The Islanders struck first, opening the scoring midway through the opening period, and added to their lead just past the halfway mark of the second to make it 2–0.
Just 17 seconds later, Frederic Brunet took a pass at the left point, walked down to the left faceoff dot, and snapped a wrist shot off the post and in—a finish any left winger would appreciate. Patrick Brown and Riley Tufte picked up the assists.
With 6:03 remaining in the period, Matthew Poitras dropped a pass into the slot for Christian Wolanin, who stepped into a one‑timer and buried it to tie the game 2–2. Matej Blumel picked up the secondary assist.
Early in the third period, John Farinacci fired a shot on goal that was turned aside, but an Islanders defender inadvertently knocked the loose puck into his own net, giving Providence its first lead just 2:40 into the frame. Tufte later sealed the win with an empty‑netter.
Filling in for the injured Simon Zajicek, Luke Cavallin wasn’t overly taxed, turning aside 16 of 18 shots to improve to a perfect 5‑0‑0 on the season in the AHL.
Providence 3 – Bridgeport 2
The win marked Providence’s 12th straight, tying the franchise record for consecutive victories.
It took just 40 seconds to get things started. Victor Soderstrom’s point shot was turned aside, leaving a loose rebound in the crease. Fabian Lysell crashed the blue paint and knocked it home for his first goal in seven games, with Michael Callahan picking up the secondary assist.
Midway through the opening frame, Wolanin doubled the lead when his point shot found its way through traffic and into the back of the net. Lysell and Riley Duran picked up the assists on the play.
Bridgeport pulled one back before the period closed, then tied it late to force overtime with 2:01 remaining in regulation.
A perfectly executed 3‑on‑1 featuring Georgii Merkulov, Blumel, and Brunet ended with Merkulov sliding a pass across to Brunet, who buried it for the win.
Michael DiPietro—well on his way to a second straight AHL Goaltender of the Year campaign—turned aside 28 of 31 shots to secure the win, pushing his save percentage to .942. Providence mustered just 16 shots on goal, underscoring DiPietro’s value to this group.
Here’s a look at the Providence Bruins leaders. You will notice a column called “Benchrates” This is provided by our friends at Benchrates. Created by a retired hockey player, Benchrates has created an algorithm that computes values in real time. The value you see is the cap hit value they’ve earned this season to date. Give them a look and check out their site.
Let’s get this out of the way at the top: a report surfaced last week suggesting the Boston Bruins and Dallas Stars were frontrunners to acquire defenseman Connor Murphy from the Chicago Blackhawks. However, I can say with complete certainty that, prior to the Olympic break, the only discussion that occurred was a general exchange of names who might be available at the trade deadline. There were no conversations with the Bruins regarding specific players.
This article from The Athletic lists the Boston Bruins as one of ten potential destinations for New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck.
In many ways, the fit is logical: he isn’t a rental, carries three more seasons at a $5.625 million AAV, brings reliable two‑way play, and can contribute on the penalty kill. The drawbacks are just as clear—he doesn’t match the age profile Boston has openly suggested they would target, and he isn’t the right‑shot defenseman the Bruins have been prioritizing.
I’m not suggesting it’s off the table—it very well could happen—but the pursuit of Rasmus Andersson made one thing clear: Don Sweeney has a precise read on this roster’s needs, and the broader media landscape hasn’t fully caught up. Coverage continues to link the Bruins to a wide range of forwards, yet mentions of defensemen—particularly right‑shot options—remain few and far between.
Barring any roster movement between now and the March 6 trade deadline, the Bruins project to have the flexibility to add a contract carrying just over $5.1 million in AAV. From a cap standpoint, that makes this type of move at least feasible.
One name that has surfaced among some media and fans: Dougie Hamilton.
When the Bruins called Hamilton’s name at the 2011 draft, my immediate reaction was that “he’ll never sign a second contract in Boston.” With a 10‑team no‑trade list now in place, it’s a safe bet the Bruins are on it.
Dave Pagnotta on The Sheet: It looks like Blake Coleman is very likely to be moved ahead of the deadline.
More from Pagnotta: Rasmus Andersson is out; Blake Coleman is very likely to be moved, NazemKadri, there’s a good chance. If I’m Mackenzie Weegar, I’m looking at this group now going, hmm, why I am here for another five years?
Even more from Pagnotta on Weegar: They haven’t approached him about his no-trade. There are already some reports of Ottawa and whatnot, but there are other teams.
Darren Dreger on Sekeres & Price: You’ve got Alex Tuch, and it doesn’t sound like there’s a whole lot of negotiating and extension activity around him, now that can change with a phone call. Doesn’t seem like there’s any way they’re gonna trade that piece.
Elliotte Friedman on 32 Thoughts adds: As far as I can tell, while there’ve been some conversations, they’re still not close.
I’m with Dreger on this one. It’s hard to envision any scenario in which Buffalo moves Tuch. After 15 years of frustration, the Sabres are finally on the cusp of a playoff berth, and trading him now would amount to management waving the white flag yet again.
Friedman in Donnie & Dhali re Evander Kane: I think they’d do a mid-round pick and retention.
Chris Johnston from The Athletic chimes in: The Canucks are willing to retain salary on Evander Kane, and they’d likely take back a third-round pick as compensation.
I’ve seen a small but vocal segment of Bruins fans float the idea of bringing him in at that price—especially if Vancouver retains salary. I just don’t see the fit inside this locker room.
Jeff Marek on The Sheet: Probably could use a change of environment, and I’m pretty sure that St. Louis would only be too happy to afford that to him (Jordan Kyrou).
Frank Seravalli on Oilers Now: I think the price for a lot of the Blues players has turned people off, so Doug Armstrong is gonna have to soften on that or else they’re gonna be hanging on to their guys.
Eric Engels on Sportsnet regarding Patrik Laine: If the 27-year-old Finn sees any post-Olympics action, we expect it to be for someone other than the Canadiens.
This and That
The Canadian Hockey League, celebrating its 50th anniversary, released a list of their top-50 players of the last 50 years (since 1975-76) and the list includes several former Boston Bruins including Patrice Bergeron, Cam Neely, Ray Bourque and others.
Alongside the unveiling, the CHL has launched a fan vote running from February 10 through March 10, inviting fans to submit their Top 10 from the Top 50 list at contests.chl.ca/CHL50vote. Fan voting will help inform how the CHL ultimately ranks the players 1–50, with the final ranking to be revealed later this spring.
Make sure to vote!
Bruins fans have long been energized by the possibility of entering the 2026 NHL Draft with two first‑round selections, sparking plenty of debate about potential targets. One name that has yet to surface in those conversations, however, is Saginaw Spirit forward Nikita Klepov. The dynamic rookie has been one of the OHL’s breakout stars, sitting second in league scoring with 31 goals and 43 assists through 52 games—just two points off the top spot. I think he will go higher than some of the rankings.
Where Klepov is drawing significant attention is among those who cover the OHL on a regular basis. For more than a decade, I’ve participated in a consensus ranking of OHL prospects with a group of highly respected evaluators, and Klepov is firmly in that mix. You can find that list here.
When the Bruins selected Dans Locmelis in the fourth round of the 2022 draft, I was immediately on board with the pick—and anyone who has followed this space knows I’ve been high on him ever since. His first season at UMass‑Amherst in 2023‑24 didn’t generate much buzz, but momentum slowly built the following year, and his late‑season stint in Providence brought even more attention. Now, with Locmelis representing Latvia at the Olympics, the bandwagon is nearly full. Enjoy the ride. He’s not destined to be an NHL superstar, but he has all the tools to develop into a dependable middle‑six winger—despite being a natural center.
I touched on this yesterday, but it bears repeating: when mini‑camp opens on February 17, the Bruins will be without any goaltenders, with Jeremy Swayman and Joonas Korpisalo representing their countries at the Olympics. Boston can either run camp without a netminder or recall Michael DiPietro to fill the crease.
From Brock Otten, editor of McKeen’s Hockey:
And Michael Dipietro is almost assuredly going to capture his second straight AHL goaltender of the year award.
With Brandon Bussi finding recent success in Carolina—context aside—a portion of the Bruins fan base has begun pounding the table for Don Sweeney and Marco Sturm to give Michael DiPietro a look at the NHL level as the backup to Jeremy Swayman.
But is he ready for that step?
I’ve followed his career since his days in the Alliance U16 league with the Sun County Panthers, and he’s since logged time in the OHL, AHL, and NHL. Internationally, he’s represented Canada at the World U17 Hockey Challenge, the U18 World Championship, the Hlinka Memorial, the World Junior Championship, the CHL–Russia Super Series (twice), and the World Championship.
He’s captured a championship with Team Ontario at the Canadian Winter Games, earned a silver medal at the OHL Gold Cup, and added both a Memorial Cup title and a World Championship to his resume.
His list of individual awards and accomplishments is far too long to detail here.
In short, DiPietro has found success at every level he’s played — with one exception: the NHL.
But that came at a different time with a different organization, one that threw him to the wolves with two NHL starts spread over two seasons. His development took an even bigger hit when the Vancouver Canucks parked him on the taxi squad during the COVID‑19 season, costing him an entire year of meaningful reps and development.
The Bruins came calling on October 27, 2022, acquiring him and giving his development a fresh start. Under the guidance of Mike Dunham, DiPietro has elevated his game to become one of the AHL’s top goaltenders for a second straight season. But the bulk of the credit belongs to DiPietro himself — his work ethic and day‑to‑day commitment to improvement are matched by few. Last season, he even took over the starting job in Providence from Bussi on his way to being named the AHL’s top goaltender.
The longstanding knock on DiPietro has centered on his lack of prototypical NHL goaltending size, a concern he often offset at lower levels with elite athleticism. I’ll admit I’ve fallen into that line of thinking myself at times.
Under Dunham’s guidance, DiPietro has reshaped his game, reducing his reliance on pure athleticism and instead leaning into a more controlled, technically sound approach. His movements are quieter, his positioning more disciplined, and the result is a goaltender who looks increasingly refined. What fuels DiPietro now is simple: the drive to prove his doubters wrong.
All DiPietro can ask for is an opportunity.
With Jeremy Swayman and Joonas Korpisalo away at the Olympics—and the Bruins currently without a goaltender for mini‑camp beginning February 17—DiPietro could get his first real opportunity to showcase himself if the club opts to recall a netminder. There’s no guarantee Boston makes that move, but the alternative is hardly ideal; someone has to be in the crease.
From there, the situation becomes more complicated. The Bruins are locked in a playoff race, and this is hardly the time for experimentation with critical points on the line every night. The ideal scenario is straightforward: Boston secures a postseason berth early enough to give Swayman a breather in what has become a compressed schedule before the playoffs arrive.
Just as important, the Bruins still need to determine whether DiPietro can be a reliable NHL‑caliber backup. The only way to make that assessment is to give him a look in a couple of NHL games and see how he handles the workload—particularly if the organization is considering changes to its goaltending picture this offseason.
But if the Bruins go that route, those appearances need to be meaningful. That means quality starts—not soft matchups against teams like the Rangers, Blues, or Canucks, but tests against top‑tier opponents such as the Lightning or Hurricanes.
Teammates James Hagens and Andre Gasseau of Boston College and Chris Pelosi of Quinnipiac were named semi-finalists for the Walter Brown Award, awarded to the top U.S. born D-1 hockey player in New England. There are 25 players remaining for contention.
Liam Pettersson – Vaxjo Lakers – U20 Nationell
The U-20 Nationell had an off week.
Vashek Blanar – HV71 – U20 Nationell
The U‑20 Nationell was idle this week, but Blanar was anything but. The forward suited up for his native Czechia at the Five Nations U20 – and named captain, where the Czechs opened the tournament against Finland on Wednesday and fell 5–2. Trailing 2–0 with 14 minutes gone in the second period, Blanar put his team on the board with a heads‑up play. Crossing the red line, he lofted a bouncing puck toward the net that skipped its way past the Finnish goaltender. Call it fortunate if you want, but the touch was intentional — a calculated flip designed to create chaos. He earned that one. It was one of his three shots on goal in 16:59 time on ice.
On Thursday, Czechia played their second of 4 games in 4 days and lost to Switzerland 2-0.
On Friday it was Czechia’s turn for a shutout as they blanked Germany 2-0. Blanar did not register a point, had an even plus/minus with 16:52 time on ice.
On Saturday, Czechia defeated Sweden 3-1 to finish the tournament 2-2-0-0. Blanar assisted on the clinching goal with 1:10 remaining. He was a plus-1 with 15:53 time on ice.
Kirill Yemelyanov – Loko Yaroslav – MHL
Loko continued their dominant stretch Tuesday with a 4–0 win over JHC Spartak MHA. They’ve allowed just one goal in their last 4 games. Yemelyanov stayed red‑hot, posting a goal and an assist to give him 6 goals and 3 helpers over his last five outings.
He opened the scoring on the power play, slipping away from coverage and sliding to the right post for a clean tap‑in. Later, he helped make it 2–0 by disrupting a play in the neutral zone, steering the puck into the left corner, and outmuscling two defenders before finding a teammate alone in front for the finish.
Loko’s winning streak came to an end on Sunday with a 5–4 loss to Krasnaya Armiya. Yemelyanov extended his personal point streak to six games with an assist, giving him six goals and five assists over that span. He added two shots on goal, went 9‑for‑21 in the faceoff circle, and logged 20:19 of ice time.
Casper Nassen – Miami (Ohio)
Miami edged Western Michigan 3–2 in overtime on Friday, improving to 17‑8‑2 on the season. Nassen, skating on the fourth line after a lineup shuffle, finished without a point or a shot on goal and posted a plus‑1 rating in 12:06 of ice time.
Miami couldn’t complete the weekend sweep, falling 3–1 to Western Michigan on Saturday. Nassen was held off the scoresheet, recording one shot on goal while logging 14:58 of ice time.
William Zellers, – University of North Dakota
North Dakota dropped a 3–2 decision in overtime to Minnesota-Duluth on Friday night. Zellers was held off the scoresheet and registered two shots on goal in what proved to be a relatively quiet outing for the forward. He was a minus-1.
North Dakota bounced back on Saturday, taking the rematch 4–1 with all the scoring coming in the third period. Zellers delivered the game‑winner on the power play, hammering a one‑timer from the right circle just inside the near post. Zellers has 4 goals and 2 assists in his last 4 games.
James Hagens, Oskar Jellvik, Andre Gasseau, Dean Letourneau, Kristian Kostadinski, Will Moore – Boston College
Boston College secured its spot in the Beanpot Final on February 9 with a commanding 5–1 win over Harvard in Monday’s semifinal. And for anyone who tuned in, it was must‑see hockey — Bruins prospects were front and center throughout the night, leaving their mark all over the scoresheet and the flow of the game.
BC struck early, opening the scoring just 3:10 into the game. The sequence began in their own end, where Letourneau helped disrupt a play before the Eagles transitioned up ice and finished it off. Letourneau picked up the secondary assist on the tally.
Later in the period, Hagens and Gasseau made their presence felt. A crisp give‑and‑go between Gasseau and Oscar Hemming (a name worth keeping in mind) produced a quality chance that was turned aside, but Hagens pounced on the rebound and buried it to give BC a 2–0 lead.
Just 2 minutes and 10 seconds later, Hagens and Gasseau struck again on a 2‑on‑2 rush. Hagens fed Gasseau, who quickly gave it back, setting up a clean back‑door tap‑in for Hagens to push the lead to 3–0 at the end of period one.
Harvard got one back just 29 seconds into the second period, but BC had the final say before intermission. With 20 seconds left in the frame, it appeared Hagens had completed the hat trick on a one‑timer from the top of the right circle. Instead, it was Letourneau — planted in front and taking away the goaltender’s eyes — who got the deflection for the goal.
Moore got on the board with 1:05 remaining in the game with the secondary assist on a powerplay goal to close out the scoring.
Hagens ended up with 2G – 1A, plus-3 and 5 shots on goal and 21:21 TOI; Letourneau 1G – 1A, plus-1 and 4 SOG with 19:12 TOI; Gasseau had 2A, plus-2, 5 SOG and 19:15 TOI; Moore had 1A. even plus/minus, 2 SOG and 14:39 TOI; Kostadinski was pointless, 3 SOG and 12:16 TOI. Jellvik is still out with an injury.
Boston College turned in one of its sloppiest performances of the season on Friday, falling 6–1 to Vermont. The lone bright spot came from James Hagens, who scored the Eagles’ only goal while registering five shots on net, finishing at minus‑1 with 20:21 of ice time.
Dean Letourneau added two shots on goal and posted an even rating, going 8‑for‑13 on faceoffs in 19:22. Will Moore contributed one shot and went 3‑for‑6 on draws across 9:53, while Andre Gasseau finished minus‑1 with one shot on goal and a 2‑for‑9 mark in the faceoff circle over 16:14. Kristian Kostadinski rounded out the group with a minus‑1 rating, one shot on goal, and 14:36 of ice time.
Chris Pelosi, Elliott Groenewold – Quinnipiac University
Quinnipiac cruised past Brown on Friday with a dominant 9–1 victory. Chris Pelosi did not dress for the matchup. Elliott Groenewold recorded an assist, finished plus‑2, and registered one shot on goal in just 11:04 of ice time — his lowest total of the season.
A notable stat for Groenewold: he entered the night leading the nation at plus‑30. Nationally, only two players have posted a better mark through 28 games — JT Compher (+35) and Kyle Connor (+33).
The offense kept rolling on Saturday as they cruised past Yale with an 8–0 victory. Groenewold added his fifth goal of the season just past the midway point of the third period, finishing plus‑4 with four shots on goal and 21:02 of ice time. Pelosi did not dress for the game.
Jonathan Morello – Boston University
Boston University punched its ticket to the Beanpot Final on Monday, edging Northeastern 3–2 in overtime to set up a showdown with Boston College on February 9. Trailing 1–0 after the opening frame, BU drew even at 1:41 of the second when Morello planted himself in front of the Northeastern netminder, providing the screen as a shot from the left circle deflected off him and in. He closed the night at plus‑2, recorded one shot on goal, and went 6‑for‑12 on draws while logging 14:05 of ice time.
Before turning the page to the Beanpot final, Boston University took care of business Friday with a 3–2 overtime win against Maine. Morello, centering the third line, did not factor into the scoring but registered three shots on goal, went 5‑for‑10 in the faceoff circle, and logged 15:53 of ice time.
Beckett Hendrickson – University of Minnesota
Minnesota fell to 10‑17‑1 after a 6–2 loss to Ohio State on Friday. Hendrickson was held off the scoresheet, finishing minus‑3 with one shot on goal across 14:02 of ice time.
It was a tighter contest on Saturday, but the outcome didn’t change, as they fell 2–1. Hendrickson picked up an assist on Minnesota’s lone goal, finishing plus‑1 with one shot on net in the loss.
Ryan Walsh – Cornell University
Cornell extended its winning streak to five games with a 5–2 victory over Colgate on Friday. Walsh was held off the scoresheet and finished minus‑1 in just 6:48 of ice time after receiving a five‑minute major for cross‑checking and a game misconduct late in the first period. The hit caught the Colgate player high, making contact with the side and back of the head.
Playing without Walsh on Saturday, Cornell couldn’t get it done as Colgate won 3-2 in overtime.
Mason Langenbrunner – Harvard University
Harvard came up short on Friday night, falling 3–1 to Dartmouth. Langenbrunner did not factor into Harvard’s lone goal, finishing minus‑1 with two shots on net while logging 22:52 of ice time.
Philip Svedeback – Providence College
Injured.
Cooper Simpson – Youngstown – USHL
Youngstown needed a shootout to secure a 4–3 win over Lincoln on Friday night. Simpson scored Youngstown’s third goal, skating down the left wing and beating the goaltender from a near‑impossible angle for his 25th of the season before Lincoln mounted its comeback. He also scored in the shootout to secure the victory.
Youngstown closed out the weekend with a 4–1 win in Saturday’s rematch. Simpson delivered the game‑winner with 6:48 left in the second period, driving the cycle, taking the puck to the net, and forcing it across the line while down on the ice. He added an assist and now carries a four‑game point streak, totaling three goals and three assists over that span.
Cole Chandler – Shawinigan – QMJHL
Shawinigan skated past Rimouski 6–4 on Friday night. Chandler chipped in with an assist, finished plus‑1, and went 8‑for‑19 in the faceoff circle in the victory. It was his 26th assist of the season, equaling his total from the two previous seasons combined.
Shawinigan rolled past Baie‑Comeau 5–2 on Saturday. Chandler was held off the scoresheet, registering two shots on goal and going 9‑for‑22 in the faceoff circle.
Cole Spicer – Western Michigan
Spicer returned to the lineup on Friday, but Western Michigan couldn’t solve Miami, falling 3–2 in overtime. Easing back into action, Spicer posted zeros across the board, though he did go 8‑for‑11 on faceoffs while logging 8:56 of ice time.
Western Michigan took the Saturday rematch 3–1, with Spicer providing the eventual game‑winner before the midway point of the second period. The goal stood after Miami challenged for a kicking motion, but the review confirmed it as a good goal — though I’m not so sure.
Providence Bruins
Congratulations to Michael DiPietro on being named the AHL Goaltender of the Month for January.
Providence 2 – Bridgeport 1
Providence earned their eight straight victory Wednesday as the defeated Bridgeport 2-1.
Riley Tufte opened the scoring at 16:37 of the first period, breaking free after Patrick Brown sprung him with a crisp breakout pass. Tufte finished the play with confidence, snapping a wrist shot stick‑side for his 200th career AHL point.
Christian Wolanin doubled the lead 4:07 into the second period, hammering a power‑play slapshot from the point off a setup from Georgii Merkulov. Matej Blumel also earned an assist on the play.
Bridgeport would get one back with 7:42 remaining in the second period, but that’s as close as they would come.
DiPietro was outstanding, turning aside 36 of the 37 shots he faced to keep Bridgeport in check throughout the night. Providence generated just 19 shots on goal, but DiPietro’s performance ensured they stayed firmly in control.
Providence 3 – Hartford 1
With 2:10 left in the opening frame, Brett Harrison snapped a shot from the slot that was turned aside, but the rebound landed perfectly for Merkulov. The winger spun and slipped it past the outstretched pad to open the scoring at 1–0. Matthew Poitras picked up the secondary assist on the play.
Just 45 seconds later, the lead doubled. Frederic Brunet jumped on a turnover in the slot and ripped a wrist shot into the top‑left corner, pushing the advantage to 2–0.
Hartford cut the deficit with six minutes remaining in the second period, but the Bruins restored control midway through the third. Poitras threaded a pass into the slot for Merkulov, who buried a wrist shot to the top‑right corner to put the game out of reach. Wolanin collected the secondary assist.
DiPietro continues to put on a show as he stopped 28 of 29 shots he faced.
Providence 2 – Hartford 1 (SO)
On the power play, Merkulov threaded a cross‑ice feed to Harrison in the left circle, and Harrison buried a wrist shot into a half‑open net to give Providence a 1–0 lead at 10:42 of the first period. Wolanin picked up the secondary assist on the play.
Hartford pulled even just 2:11 into the second period, and the 1–1 score held through the remainder of regulation and overtime.
Luke Cavallin stopped all three shots he faced in the shootout while Merkulov scored the winner in the third round. Cavallin stopped 25 of 26 shots during the game to improve to 4-0-0 in the AHL.
Here’s a look at the Providence Bruins leaders. You will notice a column called “Benchrates” This is provided by our friends at Benchrates. Created by a retired hockey player, Benchrates has created an algorithm that computes values in real time. The value you see is the cap hit value they’ve earned this season to date. Give them a look and check out their site.
The Insiders told us that the Olympic Freeze would serve as the first of two trade deadlines this season, but as usual, the (massive) buildup outpaced the action. We hear that line every time, and once again, little materialized. Beyond the Artemi Panarin deal and the Nick Bjugstad move, it was largely status quo across the league.
I believe that the Olympics — with so many general managers gathered in one place and plenty of downtime — will spark the face‑to‑face conversations that lay the groundwork for the next wave of deals. So now the league turns its attention to the real trade deadline, where those talks may finally turn into action.
And the rumors have already begun:
Pierre LeBrun on Oilers Now: Vincent Trocheck’s a guy that’s garnering a lot of interest. Keep an eye on the Wild. I don’t know where the Wild will end up going. They’ve also shown interest in RyanO’Reilly; Charlie Coyle; I think Guerin’s all in.
Frank Seravalli on Frankly Hockey: The Rangers and Boston don’t make a ton of deals but I could see Vincent Trocheck making sense in Boston.
It’s difficult to see how Trocheck fits into Boston’s current roster plan. The move would run counter to the direction the Bruins have been charting, and it’s hard to identify a scenario where it aligns with their long‑term approach. Someone will have to make a compelling case to me for how that addition would make sense.
Darren Dreger on Barn Burner: I think of the Red Wings as being a team that’s really looking for a right shot D right now.
Pick almost any team in the league and you wouldn’t be far off — the demand for a right‑shot defenseman has rarely, if ever, been higher. The Bruins are among the many clubs scouring the market for help on the right side. The advantage of course is that if the Bruins find an improvement on the position, then they have one of their own to trade.
Dreger on Insider Trading: Teams are weary of the high asking prices. We’re talking about high end guys like Colton Parayko; Justin Faulk; Jordan Kyrou; Brayden Schenn; Robby Thomas and JordanBinnington, all pieces in play.
Negotiations have to start somewhere. You start high and work your way down to a deal that makes sense for you. It’s Negotiations 101.
LeBrun on Melnick in the Afternoon: Jordan Kyrou, full no-move, Robert Thomas, full no-move, so A) I think that to get in on those players it’s a real high price and B) a complicating factor of would the player even want to go to a certain team.
Correct on the second point — that’s exactly how no‑movement clauses function. I don’t believe an NMC inherently drives up a player’s trade value when a team is looking to move him; if anything, it can suppress value by limiting the number of destinations the player is willing to consider. NHL trade history is full of examples where restricted flexibility narrowed the market and reduced the return.
Dave Pagnotta on Hello Hockey: Vancouver’s having conversations with a lot of guys, whether it’s Conor Garland, Drew O’Connor, Teddy Blueger, Jake DeBrusk, Elias Pettersson. So, we’ll see what they end up doing.
Do you think the Bruins moved on from DeBrusk at the right time?
Pagnotta on The Fourth Period: Timothy Liljegren is out there, which isn’t a surprise; the Sharks are listening on all their pending UFA defencemen, and while the Sharks are trying to strengthen their blueline, he doesn’t seem to fit into their plans moving forward.
I only put this here as Liljegren was someone I suggested the Bruins could target.
Elliott Friedman on Saturday Headlines regarding the Leafs: Everybody sees the standings. One thing they have done this week is begun the process of calling around to the league. They haven’t discussed anything that anyone would call huge or stunning.
Seravalli on Kevin Karius Show regarding Andrew Mangiapane: I think it’s been pretty tempered for a while, I think it’s been difficult for the Oilers to really generate interest.
Nick Kypreos on Sportsnet: The Oilers continue to work the market for Andrew Mangiapane and should be able to find a partner by March 6, though the return isn’t likely to be anything major.
Seravalli on the Kevin Karius Show: I don’t think that they’ve arrived at the place where they’re ready to attach an asset to move on. Mangiapane is the linchpin to the Oilers trade deadline; they cannot do anything unless they’re deleting players.
The real question becomes: what asset is attached to move another year at $3.6 million? My interest is piqued if the Bruins decide to move on from Andrew Peeke and/or Viktor Arvidsson, as that would free the necessary cap space. And it’s worth noting — Boston did Edmonton a similar favor last season by taking on Arvidsson’s contract – in a roundabout way. I’d rather give the spot to a prospect.
This and That
Tough news for Pavel Zacha on Saturday morning, as it was announced he will be unable to participate in the Olympics due to an upper‑body injury. He has been replaced on the roster by FilipChlapik. While the setback is undoubtedly disappointing for Zacha, the focus now shifts to his recovery and the hope that he’ll be ready to rejoin the Bruins once NHL play resumes.
Charlie McAvoy climbed into fifth place on the Bruins’ all‑time scoring list among defensemen with his 338th point, passing Torey Krug. He now sits 79 points back of Brad Park for fourth overall.
It’s still remarkable that Park’s number remains unretired. Arguably the second‑best defenseman of his era behind Bobby Orr, Park put up 213 goals and 896 points across 1,113 NHL games. The complication, of course, is that he split his career almost evenly between Boston and the New York Rangers. And his number 22 is already retired in Boston for Willie O’Ree and number 2 in New York for Brian Leetch.
When the Olympic break ends, the Bruins will have 25 games to solidify their position — and fans are understandably hoping for a surge of wins. But with Boston holding Toronto’s first‑round pick, top‑five protected, there’s an added twist: every Leafs loss helps the Bruins’ draft capital. Careful, though — the standings have a way of turning the tables, and there may come a point when Bruins fans find themselves quietly rooting for a Toronto win. For now, it’s simply fascinating to watch it all unfold.
Which brings me to a question I keep circling back to: why did the Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers — two elite regular‑season teams a year ago — feel compelled to place top‑five and top‑ten protections, respectively, on their 2026 first‑round picks? Did they genuinely believe a significant drop‑off was possible, or were they hedging against something the rest of us didn’t see coming?
When Sandis Vilmanis caught McAvoy with a hit to the head in the final game before the break — and the Department of Player Safety declined to review it — the moment stirred up memories of 2011. That summer, I visited Gregory Campbell on his day with the Stanley Cup, and standing off to the side of the stage was Colin Campbell, then overseeing player safety. I knew him a little; he’d pass through town on his way home each summer and occasionally stop by my place of business.
I approached Campbell and raised the issue of the non‑suspension for Matt Cooke after the hit that effectively ended the career of Marc Savard. Campbell was candid: he had been prepared to suspend Cooke, but others within the Department of Player Safety pushed back, arguing there was no rule on the books that allowed for such a decision. The blindside‑hit rule that exists today was born directly from that incident.
But the hit on McAvoy — and the complete lack of response from the DOPS — is something I simply can’t wrap my head around.
I may be revisiting an old storyline, but when Yegor Chinakhov first requested a trade out of Columbus, I was firmly in the camp that the Bruins should have been in serious pursuit. Pittsburgh ultimately landed him, sending Danton Heinen, a 2026 second‑round pick, and a 2027 third‑round pick to the Blue Jackets. Since the move, Chinakhov has appeared in 18 games, producing eight goals (all even strength) and four assists — strong but unspectacular early returns for the Penguins. In that same time, only FraserMinten has as many goals as Chinakhov and no Bruins player has as many even strength goals.
Bruins general manager Don Sweeney faces a pivotal stretch, and the decisions in front of him are anything but straightforward. With his responsibilities for assembling Team Canada now wrapped, he can finally exhale—settling in to watch the Olympic Games while turning his attention back to the complex choices awaiting him in Boston.
There will be no shortage of downtime for Sweeney—or for the rest of the general managers who made the trip to Milano‑Cortina. But that quiet stretch doubles as an opportunity: a chance to compare notes, gauge the market, and gather intel on what might be available ahead of the trade deadline, as well as what rival executives are seeking.
The Bruins are in the market for a right‑shot defenseman who can move the puck and stabilize a struggling penalty kill. The challenge, of course, is that half the league is hunting for the same profile. What sets Sweeney apart is the flexibility he’d gain if he lands one—because acquiring the right fit could leave him with potentially two internal options he’d be comfortable moving to address other roster needs.
With Jonathan Aspirot emerging, Jordan Harris back in the mix, and the possibility of adding a coveted right‑shot defenseman, the path toward moving on from Andrew Peeke — a pending unrestricted free agent — is becoming increasingly clear. In fact, given the shifting depth chart, it’s starting to look like the most straightforward decision available to Boston’s front office.
That naturally leads to the question of how the Bruins should handle Henri Jokiharju, who remains under contract for two more seasons at a manageable $3 million cap hit. Moving him would take a real bite out of Boston’s defensive depth, yet it’s a scenario the front office may have to weigh—especially with a seller’s market poised to drive up prices and spark league‑wide overpayments.
It’s a rare position for Boston, one in which the Bruins can realistically operate as both a buyer and a seller. But any move they make has to involve a player with term—short‑term rentals simply don’t fit the mandate.
The real dilemma lies up front. And to be blunt, this is where Sweeney needs to sit down with his leadership group for an honest, unvarnished conversation about where they see this team heading. But he also can’t allow sentiment to cloud the decisions that ultimately shape the roster. His responsibility is to do what’s best for the organization — even when those choices aren’t easy.
And that brings us to Viktor Arvidsson.
Arvidsson, a pending unrestricted free agent with a full no‑movement clause, has been a vital piece of Boston’s second line. Moving him may not sit well in the room, but the reality is clear: contenders gearing up for a playoff push would pay a premium for his services at the deadline. And they’d certainly offer far more than the 2027 fifth‑round pick Boston used to acquire him.
If the Bruins move Arvidsson, the return has to be a young player with upside. Boston already holds as many as nine picks in the upcoming draft and doesn’t need to stockpile more. And if they can flip Peeke for a 2027 draft pick, they’ll have effectively replenished that draft class as well. Coincidently, the Bruins traded a 2027 third round pick for Peeke.
There’s a segment of the fan base calling for Pavel Zacha to be moved, banking on the significant return he’d command. But dealing him would send a clear — and potentially damaging — message to the room about the organization’s belief in its core. From a team‑building standpoint, it would be a misstep of major consequence.
Zacha has one year remaining on his deal at a highly team‑friendly $4.75 million cap hit. And the moment Boston moves him, they’re right back in the market searching for a player who does exactly what he does — a task that would be nearly impossible at that price point. There’s also no one in Providence remotely positioned to fill that role.
Fans can be enamored with the idea of creating more cap space — in this case, additional cap space — but the question becomes: what are you paying the replacement? The Bruins already project to have more than $17 million available next season with nearly a full roster in place. The need to carve out even more isn’t nearly as pressing as some believe.
And what would a round of fantasy trade proposals be without mentioning Joonas Korpisalo? Since calling him out here a month ago, Korpisalo has elevated his play, and has earned a few wins for the Bruins, and even earned a spot as an Olympic replacement for Team Finland. His stock hasn’t been this high in quite some time — and it may never be higher than it is right now.
Here’s the issue as it stands: when the Bruins return from the break, the schedule tightens considerably, and they’re going to need Korpisalo — performing at exactly the level he’s shown recently — to secure a playoff berth. Handing that responsibility to Michael DiPietro, as strong as he’s been in the AHL over the past two seasons, would be a gamble Boston can’t afford right now.
This is something you can revisit in the summer — and who knows, his value may climb even higher by then.
Vaxjo defeated Sodertalje SK 4-2 Saturday. Pettersson was not involved in the scoring and was a plus-1.
Vaxjo defeated Vasteras IK 5-1 on Sunday morning. Pettersson scored his fourth goal of the season midway through the second period. He finished a plus-2.
Vashek Blanar – HV71 – U20 Nationell
HV71 fell to Linkoping HC on Thursday morning, though Blanar extended his point streak to three games with a power‑play assist that sparked some life in the second period, cutting the deficit to 2–1. They eventually drew even, but the momentum didn’t hold, and the game slipped away from there.
Kirill Yemelyanov – Loko Yaroslav – MHL
Loko rolled past SKA Academy 6–0 on Monday, pushing their record to a dominant 36‑3‑3 and extending their lead atop the Western Conference to nine points. Yemelyanov factored heavily into the win, posting a goal and an assist. He made it 2–0 late in the first, battling through a stick check to get to the front of the net, presenting his blade for the feed, and redirecting home his 21st of the season. He finished with five shots on goal on nine attempts, went 13‑for‑18 in the faceoff circle, and logged 16:29 of ice time.
Friday delivered another statement performance from Loko, who rolled to their second 6–0 victory of the week, this time dismantling Red Machine‑Yunior. Yemelyanov notched his 22nd of the campaign midway through the third to stretch the lead to 4–0. The sequence showcased his persistence: after sustaining pressure in the offensive zone, he drove hard to the crease, saw his initial chance turned aside, then stayed in the battle. A loose rebound popped free, and he wasted no time burying it. Yemelyanov capped the afternoon with an all‑situations effort — a plus‑4 rating, four shots on goal, a 13‑for‑20 performance in the faceoff circle, and 16:21 of ice time.
On Sunday, Loko rolled to a 6–1 win over Krylya Sovetov, powered in part by a standout performance from Yemelyanov. The forward struck twice on five shots, went 13‑for‑21 in the faceoff circle, and logged 17:15 of ice time. His first goal came with him planted in front, providing a screen and presenting his stick for a deft redirection from the right post. His second was a shorthanded beauty — breaking up a play in his own zone, jumping into a 2‑on‑1, and finishing a crisp feed for his 24th of the season.
Casper Nassen – Miami (Ohio)
Miami edged past St. Cloud State 2–1 on Friday, pushing its record to 15‑8‑2 in a tightly contested matchup. Nassen picked up an assist on the game’s opening strike. All the scoring action unfolded in a rapid four‑minute burst during the second period. Nassen wrapped up the night with a steady, efficient performance: a plus‑1 rating, two shots on goal, and 10:25 of ice time while anchoring the fourth line.
Miami kept its momentum rolling Saturday, securing a fourth straight victory with a 3–1 win in the rematch. Nassen was held off the scoresheet, registering two shots on goal in 13:01 of ice time.
William Zellers, – University of North Dakota
North Dakota did not play.
James Hagens, Oskar Jellvik, Andre Gasseau, Dean Letourneau, Kristian Kostadinski, Will Moore – Boston College
BC defeated rival BU Friday by a score of 4-1, led by Hagens, Letourneau and Gasseau.
Gasseau wasted no time making an impact, taking a drop pass at the left faceoff dot and wiring a wrist shot home just 3:28 into the contest. Early in the second, the lead grew thanks to a sharp defensive read from Letourneau and Hagens, who disrupted a play at their own blue line. Letourneau transitioned the play the other way on a 2‑on‑1 and delivered a pinpoint feed to Hagens in the slot, where he hammered a one‑timer to make it 2–0.
With 3:07 left in the second period, Letourneau slipped free in front of the net and made no mistake, lifting a quick shot upstairs for his 14th of the season to extend the lead to 3–0. Hagens and Gasseau later combined to set up the empty‑netter, sealing the victory and closing out the scoring.
Will Moore did not register a point, had one shot on goal and was 3 for 4 on the dot with 14:28 time on ice. Kostadinski was also pointless, was a plus-2 and 11:42 time on ice. Hagens had 4 shots with 22:46 TOI, Gasseau 3 shots and 20:27 TOI and Letourneau 2 shots and 21:38 TOI.
Chris Pelosi, Elliott Groenewold – Quinnipiac University
Quinnipiac made quick work of St. Lawrence on Friday, cruising to a dominant 7–0 victory. Pelosi powered the offensive surge, striking on the power play late in the first to push the lead to 3–0 by crashing the net and burying a loose puck for his 15th of the year. He wasn’t done. Midway through the second, Pelosi took a stretch pass, broke in alone, and snapped a shot from the slot over the blocker to extend the advantage to 4–0. His night featured a full stat‑line: two goals, two assists, a plus‑3 rating, five shots on goal, and a 10‑for‑14 performance in the faceoff circle. Groenewold also delivered a strong outing, chipping in two assists, posting a plus‑3, and leading all skaters with six shots on goal.
Saturday’s matchup between Quinnipiac and Clarkson officially goes into the books as a 3–3 draw, though Clarkson claimed a small victory by winning the shootout. Both Pelosi and Groenewold were held without a point in the contest.
Jonathan Morello – Boston University
BU’s skid continued Friday as the Terriers fell 4–1 to Boston College, marking their third straight defeat. Morello was held off the scoresheet in the rivalry matchup, finishing at minus‑2 with one shot on goal. He went 4‑for‑6 in the faceoff circle and logged 10:55 of ice time in the loss.
Beckett Hendrickson – University of Minnesota
Minnesota finally broke through on Friday, securing a much‑needed 4–1 victory over Wisconsin. Hendrickson, returning to the left wing on the third line, was held off the scoresheet and recorded one shot on goal in the win.
On Saturday, they capped off the weekend sweep by doubling up Wisconsin 8–4. Hendrickson turned in a strong performance with a goal and an assist, finishing plus‑1 with one shot on goal in 14:12 of ice time. His tally was a highlight‑reel effort — a burst down the left wing, blowing past the defender before cutting to the net and slipping a shot through the five‑hole to snap a seven‑game pointless drought.
Ryan Walsh – Cornell University
Cornell skated past Yale 5–2 on Friday, and junior forward Ryan Walsh continued to evolve his game in a big way. Known more for his finishing touch than his setup work, Walsh shifted into playmaker mode, collecting two assists to push him past last season’s total of 14. Remarkably, he has never ended an NCAA campaign with more assists than goals — a trend he’s now threatening to break. Walsh rounded out the night with a plus‑1 rating, five shots on goal, and a 10‑for‑18 performance in the faceoff circle while logging 15:44 of ice time.
Cornell pushed its winning streak to four with a 4–2 victory over Brown on Saturday. Walsh didn’t hit the scoresheet in a rare under-performance, finishing plus‑2 despite not registering a shot on goal in 20:52 of ice time. He also went 11‑for‑23 in the faceoff circle.
Mason Langenbrunner – Harvard University
Harvard pushed its record to 12‑8‑1 on Friday with a steady 3–1 victory over RPI. Langenbrunner turned in a reliable defensive effort despite being held off the scoresheet, finishing even in plus/minus while registering three shots on goal across 21:07 of ice time.
Philip Svedeback – Providence College
Injured.
Cooper Simpson – Youngstown – USHL
So, naturally, after everything I said last week, the USNTDP goes out and edges Youngstown 5–4 on Wednesday night. It was an uncharacteristic outing for Simpson. He picked up an assist, but was limited to just one shot on goal — a rarity for him — and finished the night at minus‑2.
Youngstown clawed out a 4–3 win over Chicago on Friday, sparked by a momentum‑shifting performance from Simpson. Trailing 3–1 early in the third, he ignited the comeback with his 24th of the season, stepping into a wrist shot from the right circle to cut the deficit. Simpson wasn’t done. With 3:21 left and Youngstown on the power play, he set up the eventual game‑winner, capping off a clutch third‑period effort that helped secure the victory.
Cole Chandler – Shawinigan – QMJHL
Shawinigan continued its climb up the standings Friday, knocking off Halifax 3–1 to move to 27‑15‑1‑3 and solidify third place in the QMJHL’s Western Conference—now just three points back of top spot. Chandler drove the offense with a two‑goal performance. After the Cataractes fell behind 1–0, he pulled them level by slipping away from coverage at the top of the crease, pouncing on a rebound, and snapping a wrist shot into the back of the net. He later iced the game with an empty‑net marker, capping a standout night in a key divisional win.
Shawinigan defeated Chicoutimi 3-1 on Sunday. Chandler assisted on the game winning goal. He finished a plus-1, had 1 shot on goal and was 4 for 11 on the dot.
Cole Spicer – Western Michigan
Western Michigan continues to win without Spicer, coasting to a 5-2 win over Omaha on Friday to extend their win streak to ten games.
Their win streak came to an end Saturday with a 4-1 loss to Omaha. Once again, no Spicer.
Providence Bruins
Providence 4 – Charlotte 1
In a rare Saturday afternoon tilt, Riley Tufte and Michael DiPietro led Providence to a 4-1 win over the Charlotte Checkers.
Victor Soderstrom fired a wrist shot from the point that was turned aside, but the rebound kicked straight to Tufte, who lifted it home for a 1–0 lead just 4:15 into the game. Matej Blumel picked up the secondary assist on the opening strike.
The 1–0 score held until 8:19 into the third, when Jordan Harris snapped a shot toward the net that deflected off Tufte’s stick and in, giving Tufte his second of the night and stretching the lead to 2–0.
Charlotte cut the deficit with 6:57 to play, but the response was swift. Just 50 seconds later, FredericBrunet fired a wrist shot from the point that John Farinacci redirected home to restore the two‑goal cushion. Tufte picked up the secondary assist, giving him his third point of the night.
Just 57 seconds later, Georgii Merkulov threaded a pass to Dans Locmelis in the left circle. Locmelis drove to the net and slipped a shot under the pad to cap the scoring. The assist marked Merkulov’s 210th career point, pulling him even with Andy Hilbert for the most in Providence Bruins history.
DiPietro stopped 19 of 20 shots he faced.
Providence 3 – Charlotte 0
Providence extended its winning streak to seven on Sunday afternoon, completing a weekend sweep of the Charlotte Checkers. But the headline moment came with 4:22 left in the opening period, when Merkulov etched his name atop the franchise record books. Circling behind the net, he fed Soderstrom in the right circle for a one‑timer that ripped into the far upper corner, securing his place as the Bruins’ all‑time leading scorer.
DiPietro took over for Simon Zajicek to begin the second period, with no update yet on the severity of Zajicek’s injury. With 8:23 left in the frame, Soderstrom snapped a wrist shot toward the net, and Blumel got a piece of it to extend Providence’s lead to 2–0.
Midway through the third, Blumel added one of his own, finishing off a clean 2‑on‑1 with Riley Duran. Duran threaded a pass through the defender, and Blumel hammered the one‑timer home to seal the scoring.
Here’s a look at the Providence Bruins leaders. You will notice a column called “Benchrates” This is provided by our friends at Benchrates. Created by a retired hockey player, Benchrates has created an algorithm that computes values in real time. The value you see is the cap hit value they’ve earned this season to date. Give them a look and check out their site.
The Olympic break is looming, and around the league it’s being treated like an unofficial first trade deadline. With front offices weighing roster tweaks and contenders eyeing upgrades, the rumor mill has kicked into overdrive. Insiders are firing off reports at a rapid pace — and as is often the case this time of year, the chatter is plentiful, spirited, and occasionally contradictory.
Artemi Panarin
Elliotte Friedman on32 thoughts: I think Artemi Panarin’s preference is to go with an extension. I think there are some teams he would potentially go as a rental to. One of the teams I’ve heard he might be interested as a rental potentially is Dallas.
Dave Pagnotta on The Sheet: It sounds like things are starting to progress a little bit more here. With a full no movement clause, he and his agent have a lot of say in this.
Frank Seravalli on Flames Talk: I believe the Hurricanes have been one of those teams, the Capitals, the Kings to a certain extent. I would probably include, although they don’t have the ability as it stands right now, the Panthers.
Kevin Weeks via X: Per sources, as of today, I’m told the following have expressed interest in Panarin; ANA, LA, SJ, VGK, DAL, UT, COL, MIN, SEA, TOR, CAR, WAS, TBL, NYI. More clubs will join, and importantly player has to approve any move first.
Pierre LeBrun on Sports Center: His agent Paul Theofanous has had the green light from the Rangers to contact teams directly. They’re trying to get an extension out of this. Maybe as many as 4 years. That AAV is not gonna be cheap.
Shane Wright
Seravalli on The Big Show: My understanding is that he doesn’t fall into the untouchable category, I don’t believe that they’re actually seeking to move him.
Darren Dreger on Barn Burner: They feel like they’ve got strength up the middle of the ice, that’s why there’s been speculation around Shane Wright. He’s not thrilled with his ice allocation. It’s a fixable relationship, but Botterill is at least listening.
Pagnotta on Sekeres and Price: From Seattle’s side of things, they want an upgrade. This isn’t them packaging him up for Artemi Panarin, this is Jordan Kyrou-esque, somebody in their mid 20s that is controllable.
Elias Pettersson
Seravalli on Kevin Karius: Significant interest, and the Canucks are weighing and managing all that. They have not had any discussions with Pettersson’s camp about potentially waiving that no-move clause, haven’t floated any scenarios.
Pagnotta on Inside Sports: Really the only guys that I get a sense really don’t have a shot at being moved right now: Kevin Lankinen, Brock Boeser, Marcus Pettersson, Filip Hronek; Tyler Myers; the guys they got from Minnesota.
Dreger on Sekeres and Price: I’d put him in a category of unlikely. You’ve gotta have a partner to make a trade like that with a contract like that, and it seems unlikely at this stage.
Columbus Blue Jackets
LeBrun on Oilers Now: The Jackets have not put up the white flag; they hope to put a bunch of wins up here. But if they were sellers, they’re already getting a lot of calls on Charlie Coyle. What that tells me is there just aren’t a lot of centers available.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Pagnotta on The Fourth Period: The red-hot Lightning are looking to add to their roster, and there is chatter they may be willing to dangle prospect Sam O’Reilly for some immediate help.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Dreger on Over Drive: We know that Treliving is still eyeing a defenseman, well if there was a piece that he could bring in he would have done that by now, there’s nobody available that moves the needle.
Dreger on Insider Trading: An important road trip. Treliving has to look at the scenario that could see Toronto kick into sell mode; McMann; Laughton; Stetcher; Jarnkrok, then balance that to what extending some of those pieces might look like.
Buffalo Sabres
Dreger on Early Trading: I think back to Jarmo Kekalainen with the Blue Jackets when he knew they were a playoff-worthy team. So, he didn’t trade away Panarin or Bobrovsky; he may have to steal a page from his old playbook specific to Alex Tuch.
Other Stuff
Pagnotta on Hello Hockey: I started hearing Cole Perfetti’s name out there a little bit, I don’t know how much of an appetite the Jets have in moving him, I don’t know if they want to give up on that just yet.
Pagnotta on Sekeres and Price: I’d be very surprised if Jason Robertson is moved this season. I’d be a little surprised if he’s moved at all.
Pagnotta on Sportsnet Today regarding the Hurricanes: If they bring in somebody who has term, I’ve gotta imagine they’re gonna want to have Jesperi Kotkaniemi as part of the package going bac. Is that a Vinny Trocheck? An Artemi Panarin? There’s interest in both.
Friedman on The FAN Hockey Show: I had a few people on the weekend tell me, watch Utah, that is the team no one’s talking about, and they’re gonna do something.
Pagnotta on Oilers Nation Everyday about Robert Thomas: St. Louis is willing to listen, but you’ve gotta blow them out of the water.
Your Boston Bruins
Friedman on the FAN Hockey Show regarding Matthew Poitras: I don’t know if I call it a showcase, but I do think that it wouldn’t be a shock if something happened there.
Chris Johnston on the Chris Johnston Show regarding Andrew Peake: He’s a pending UFA, very much could see a world where the Bruins are trading him.
This and That
The Bruins enter the final stretch before the Olympic break with two pivotal matchups on deck — an outdoor showdown against Tampa Bay followed by a trip to Florida to face the Panthers. Boston sits five points back of the Lightning and holds an eight‑point cushion over Florida, positioning these games as a meaningful barometer for the front office.
All indications are that Don Sweeney and his staff will use this mini‑window to assess where the team truly stands. Depending on how the next two outings unfold, the Bruins could very well take their decision‑making right up to trade‑deadline day.
Calling the situation “difficult” barely scratches the surface. Outside of the locker room, few expected this group to outperform projections the way they have. And when you break it down, the margin is razor‑thin — had they managed merely a .500 clip during their two longest skids of the season, they’d be sitting in first place right now. Still, these are the circumstances they’ve created, and this is the path they now have to navigate.
It would be wise for Sweeney to sit down with the leadership group and have an honest, open‑ended conversation about how the room views the season and what they believe lies ahead — and, more importantly, to listen. But there’s a clear line he can’t cross. While player input matters, letting the roster dictate the organization’s direction would be a mistake. In the end, Sweeney’s responsibility is to make the decisions that best serve the long‑term interests of the franchise.
Failing to engage the players in that conversation would be a misstep of its own. This group has poured everything into the season, and shutting them out of the dialogue — even if management ultimately disagrees with their perspective — would come off as dismissive. At the very least, they’ve earned the respect of being heard.
A large contingent of NHL general managers will be making the trip to Italy for the Olympics, and with ample downtime built into the schedule, it’s widely expected that much of the early trade‑deadline groundwork will be laid there. Until then, the landscape remains dominated by speculation, educated guesses, and a steady stream of conflicting reports as the rumor mill continues to churn.
If a move materializes before the break, all the better, but my expectations remain tempered. The real intrigue lies ahead, with what promises to be a compelling deadline day — and an equally fascinating buildup in the days leading into it.
The roster freeze is set to take place February 4 at 3:00 pm. Some roster moves will still be allowed. Thanks to PuckPedia, here’s a look at those allowed moves:
During the freeze:
No Trades are permitted
Players can be sent down if they are waiver exempt, except for players that played in 16 of the team’s 20 NHL games prior to the freeze, or have been on the NHL roster for 80 league days prior to Jan 21
Players can be placed on waivers during the freeze, but if the player was waived after their NHL team’s final game before the freeze, they do not have to report to their new team until February 17.
This mailbag stems from a particularly compelling question I received about Dean Letourneau — one that felt worth unpacking in a broader conversation. With that in mind, I opened the floor for your questions.
A brief note before we begin: several questions were originally quite lengthy, so they’ve been streamlined for clarity and flow.
Mike asks: Can you talk about the pros and cons of Dean Letourneau or players like him making the jump to the AHL? Even in a season where they might expect him to contribute to the National club, is there anything that makes you think he’d benefit (or not) by being pushed aggressively to Providence?
Answer: I never fault a player for believing he’s ready to make the jump to the pro ranks, but in Letourneau’s case, it doesn’t appear that he is the type of person to force the issue. By all indications, he knows there’s still development ahead.
As I’ve mentioned before, over the holidays my friend Court Lalonde happened to walk into an Ottawa rink where Letourneau was training. Working with him was Ottawa Senators skating coach ShelleyKettles. Court spoke with her, and she noted that she’s put together a full offseason skating program for him, along with several smaller areas of refinement. She also told Court that Letourneau is expected to return to Boston College.
While his original plan was to turn pro after his sophomore season, it’s important to remember that next year was supposed to be that sophomore year. What’s also clear is that Letourneau is a relentless worker — the type who will attack whatever development plan is put in front of him. So, while it wouldn’t shock me if he pushed his way into turning pro sooner, the expectation right now is that he’ll be back at BC.
Rushing a prospect rarely serves the player or the organization. We’ve seen cases like JakobForsbacka‑Karlsson, who pushed to turn pro while the Bruins preferred a longer runway — and the transition never fully materialized. Conversely, Dans Locmelis took the same route and has stepped in without missing a beat.
Denis asks: First off appreciate all of the info. You name it you have a pulse on the Bruins.
At this point and time, the Bruins are overachieving in my mind and frankly I am happy the RasmusAnderson trade did not materialize. Everyone seems to say the 2026 draft is above average. What can the bruins draft in the mid-teens to low 20’s – 2 picks or should they trade for a player in it’s prime – Robert Thomas as an example.
Answer: I typically start tracking each draft class a year out, and the 2026 group has impressed me so far — though I wouldn’t label it above average overall. I actually prefer the top‑10 talent in 2025, but beyond that range, 2026 offers more depth and projects better into the later rounds.
From the Bruins’ perspective, there should be a legitimate opportunity to land a top‑four, right‑shot defenseman in that window. That said, when the possibility of acquiring a bona fide, cost‑controlled top‑line center is on the table, it has to be treated as a serious consideration.
The complication is that it’s never just the picks. A player like Thomas would command a significant return, and without knowing the full scope of the package, it’s tough to say definitively whether the move makes sense.
Jeff asks: Hi Dom, keenest insight in Hockey as always! Two questions? Can you give your take on Sweeney’s calculus by weighting these possible factors in his willingness to pay the price for Rasmus Andersson:
1) His demonstrated durability suggests he might not slow down considerably toward the end of a 6-year deal. 2) His minutes make the B’s big three defense stronger for playoffs, 3) Sweeney actually sees a potential playoff run this year. 4) The Toronto and B’s win streaks lessen likelihood of drafting an elite RHD.
Second one: While way premature, given D. Letourneau’s dogged determination, if he improves his skating slightly, puts on another 15lbs of muscle, and matures two ways, how likely is it he achieves a top line ceiling?
Answer:
Thank you, Jeff. While I agree that many of the factors you mentioned likely influenced the Bruins’ pursuit of Andersson, I don’t believe the positioning of their own pick — or Toronto’s — was a major driver. Don Sweeney identified a player who could help immediately and in the near future, which suggests the organization remains committed to its original long‑term plan.
That approach is encouraging, not only in their decision to walk away once an extension wasn’t possible, but also for whatever moves they consider as the deadline approaches. Sweeney and the front office have to balance the present with the bigger picture, and it’s clear they’re keeping that future focus intact.
I appreciate you circling back on Letourneau — it’s an angle that doesn’t get nearly enough attention. You’re right that there’s still development ahead, but the tools and drive to become a top‑line contributor are clearly there. The real intrigue now is positional: does he project long‑term on the wing or down the middle? And how might that align with James Hagens — could we see Hagens on the flank with Letourneau anchoring the line? There’s no shortage of possibilities, and fortunately, time is working in everyone’s favor.
Joe asks: I made it to my first Providence game a few weeks ago and a few things stood out to me that I have questions about.
1) Georgii Merkulov had a great shot, but he held on to the puck too long and he was much smaller in person than I imagined. 2) I didn’t notice Fabian Lysell at all during the game except for the few times he had the puck. 3) Dans Locmelis – So impressed by him. Effort was there for the entire game. 4) Matthew Poitras played really well. Always notice him on the ice. More confident in face-offs and won 4/5. Surprised to see him net front so much, which seems to be a change.
Based on what I observed, I’m wondering are those the things still holding Merk and Lysell back? How long will Locmelis be in Providence and do you see him more as a wing than a center? Why is the focus for Poitras to be net front now? He was getting cross checked quite a bit. Part of the plan to make him more aggressive/chippy?
Answer: To start, there are additional Poitras questions ahead, so I’ll address that portion in more detail later. Regarding Merkulov, he’s been overtaken on the depth chart by multiple players, and it’s fair to question whether the Bruins will extend him a contract at all. As for Lysell, he remains a high‑variance player — electric on some nights, invisible on others. That said, there has been meaningful progress in his game, and I’m not convinced he’s a player you walk away from just yet.
Locmelis is a player I’ve been highlighting since the day he was drafted, and for good reason. I’ve long challenged fans to find another prospect his age with a deeper résumé of international experience — more than 70 games for his country at that stage is almost unheard of. I’ve always believed in his trajectory, and projecting him forward, his NHL future looks strongest on the wing.
Elizabeth asks: It seems likely that Poitras is going to be moved by the deadline as part of a package deal for a 1C or RHD. Are there teams that would put him on their roster now, so he could continue to develop with NHL minutes? Could Vancouver use him immediately if the Bruins trade for Hronek? Calgary maybe if they trade for Whitecloud? Are there others?
I would hate to see Poitras go, but I just don’t think the Bruins have space for him or that he’s in their long-term plans. However, would love to see him succeed somewhere else.
Answer: My apologies, Elizabeth, but I’m not going to speculate on potential trade asks. What one organization considers a valuable asset from one team can vary significantly from what they value from another organization, so any projection would be purely guesswork.
There’s been no shortage of questions about Poitras, so let’s address it directly: the Bruins’ belief in him hasn’t wavered. The narrative that he was beaten out for a roster spot by Fraser Minten is only partially accurate. As I noted extensively last offseason, the situation was more nuanced than a simple head‑to‑head battle.
The third‑line center job was essentially Minten’s to lose. His mature, 200‑foot game made him the more natural fit for that role. Poitras, meanwhile, was effectively competing with Pavel Zacha and Casey Mittelstadt— a battle he was never realistically positioned to win. That’s why Minten held a spot in my projected lineup all summer, while Poitras did not.
Poitras was assigned to Providence with a clear development checklist, and the returns have been noticeable for anyone watching him closely — and exclusively — shift to shift. His play from the neutral zone back into his own end has taken a significant step forward compared to what we saw at the NHL level. He’s also made gains in the finer details: stronger on draws, more competitive in board battles, and far more willing to engage in the hard areas. Even his ability to absorb — or avoid — the heavy contact that fans often pointed to has improved.
The downside, of course, is that while he’s been focused on rounding out the rest of his game, his offensive production has dipped. The challenge now is finding the balance — blending the defensive growth with the creativity and pace that make him effective. There’s been an uptick over his last handful of games, but the trajectory needs to continue, especially with Poitras set to require waivers to return to Providence next season. The Bruins can’t afford to lose him for nothing, which means a decision is coming sooner than they’d prefer.
Sam asks:
I was really surprised to see after you pointed it out, that basically none of the forwards on Providence are signed for next year. Is that unusual? When would you expect the Bruins to begin making decisions and signing them?
The other thing I wanted to ask, is if for example, Poitras is traded as an RFA, would the new team want him signed before completing the transaction or would the new team want to be the ones to offer him his next contract?
Answer: It’s common for NHL organizations to have a few expiring contracts on their AHL roster, but the volume Boston is dealing with is certainly atypical. There’s no urgency to get those contracts finalized, and my expectation is that most — if not all — will be addressed in the offseason.
To your second question, it’s rare — if not unprecedented — for a team to trade for an RFA while insisting on an extension before finalizing the deal. As a restricted free agent without arbitration rights, the leverage sits entirely with the team, whether that’s Boston or a potential acquiring club. And given Poitras’ current profile, it’s not as though he’s positioned to command a major payday that would force a team’s hand in negotiations.
Whaler asks: If the Bruins had not drafted Dean Letourneau, do you believe they would have drafted McQueen instead of Hagens?
Thank you for your insights
Answer: I’ll make this one quick: Absolutely not.
Mark asks: Do GM’s only look at numbers when assessing a player? With the trade rumors last weekend, other than the Flames fan base who seemed excited to get him, I saw lots of comments that Poitras was no longer a good player etc. because his numbers had dropped off so much this year. I think that’s because Mougenel doesn’t seem to have him focusing on offense, but defense and becoming more aggressive and antagonizing? Do GMs/scout realize this and that Poitras hasn’t lost his playmaking skills all of a sudden?
– Lohrei seems to be a perfect match for the Sharks with his defensive style. Could you see him ending up there at the trade deadline?
Answer: I’ve already touched on Poitras’ effectiveness in the AHL. But to add, absolutely every NHL team knows what’s going on. They have pro scouts out in arenas every night and they have a book on every team’s prospects.
When it comes to Mason Lohrei, I’m not going to wade into hypothetical trades or projected destinations. In my Sunday Summaries, I highlight the conflicting reports already circulating on a weekly basis just to show how far-fetched some can be, and I have no interest in adding to that noise. If there’s ever something substantive — real discussions or actual movement — I’ll report it. But drawing up trade proposals isn’t what I do, and it’s not something I’m looking to put into the mix.
My apologies, Mark, if that’s not the answer you were hoping for, but there’s already plenty of speculation out there, and I don’t think anyone benefits from me adding to it.
Mark asks: Hey Dom I realized I had one more question sort of related to the Dean one but also more in a broad sense.
Why don’t the Bruins promote higher caliber prospects for shorter stints in the NHL? If a prospect has consistently been playing well or the right way in the AHL, why not give them the random 2-3 games instead of putting a Viel/Eyssimont in?
Answer: A lot of it stems from the Bruins constantly operating at the cap, the lack of available spots within the 23‑man roster limit, and the realities of waivers. Jeffrey Viel and Michael Eyssimont aren’t ideal comparisons, as they were essentially parked on the ninth floor. And you could certainly argue that Boston created some of these constraints themselves — you wouldn’t get much pushback from me on that.
At the end of the day, hockey is a business. We don’t have to like that reality, but it drives every decision — including roster moves. The business side always comes first.
Eugene asks: Dom what your thoughts for after the break coming to the trade deadline buyers or Sellers or both? Any names targets?
What players do the Bruins sign from the college ranks. If they add a goalie who might be their target?
Answer: The trade deadline is still a long way off, so it makes sense to evaluate where they stand closer to that point before determining what moves — if any — make sense.
Andy asks: I count 7 guys who project as #2-3 centers over the next 5 years. Seems to me that you can really only keep 2-4 long term. This seems like a position of depth that you can use in a trade for a 1C or 2RHD. Yet whenever I listen to podcasts everyone seems hesitant to trade any of them which I get. Which of these would you trade? Would Zacha/Minten + Lohrei + 2026/2027 1st + 2nd + Poitras/Lysell/Merkulov be enough to get you a Robert Thomas/Elias Pettersson? How far off am I? Zacha would be my preference to trade given his age and need of a new contract in a year or two but I assume teams want to get younger so Minten/Hagens might be much more attractive.
Answer: Thanks, Andy. As I mentioned earlier, I’m not diving into speculative trades, but here’s what I will say: Don Sweeney and his staff always do their homework. They’re not hesitant to shift players to the wing, and if someone earns a roster spot, they’ll make the room. More importantly, if they believe a move genuinely improves the team, they won’t hesitate to act. Personally, I’m more interested in watching how their approach evolves than in guessing months out from the deadline. As we get closer, I’ll certainly share my thoughts on what I believe they should consider.
Adam Asks: Hi Dom. What’s the deal with Cole Spicer? He seems productive when he plays, but he never plays.
Answer: You’re right, Adam — when he’s in the lineup, he produces. But Spicer’s situation has been well‑documented: the academic hurdles, the concussion history, and now a new layer of uncertainty with the team staying tight‑lipped about his current status. There’s clearly more to the story than what’s being shared publicly.
Gina asks: I’ve seen articles singing the praises of Marco Sturm and how great he’s been at getting the younger players like Minten and Marat Khusnutdinov to play to their potential. For starters, not stapling them to the bench when they’ve mistake has been a refreshing change.
Anyway, keeping that in mind, what would you do with the 2nd Line at the deadline? Assuming the Bruins keep Zacha, would you move Mittelstadt and Arvidsson as they aren’t long-term solutions so you can bring up Poitras? Give Sturm a chance to work with him longer and see if he could be your 2C? If not, would you keep that line together for a playoff push instead?
Answer: Thanks, Gina. It’s simply too early to map out what the Bruins should or shouldn’t do at the deadline. If they’re in the thick of a playoff push, it’s hard to envision them moving anyone out of the lineup. Maybe someone like Viktor Arvidsson becomes a conversation, but my sense is they’d prioritize an established option over a player who still needs development. As always, I’ll wait to see where things stand as the deadline approaches before weighing in on what I think makes sense.
Ben asks: Wondering if you believe the Bruins should trade for a 1C such as Thomas now or hope that in 2/3 years that one of their younger prospects like Hagens can fill that role, though he we aren’t sure yet how he will translate to the NHL. Though they are still missing a piece or two, I would make that trade no matter the cost to give the Bruins core the best chance to win over the next few years.
Answer: Ben, like any trade, it ultimately comes down to acquisition cost, the incoming cap hit, and a range of other variables. That said, no NHL general manager can operate with a ‘whatever it takes’ mindset. You have to weigh the long‑term health of the franchise — not just the next two or three years, but the bigger picture.
Zach asks: I like Ryan Mougenel, but do you think it’s time for a new coach in Providence? I know the team has an amazing record, he’s been named to the all-star team etc., but it seems that none of the young forwards are improving enough to get a call up – not sure if that’s due to roster space or skill?
Answer: Fans sometimes overlook that Mougenel is juggling two mandates: development and winning — with the latter carrying the heavier weight. And the point I’ve made for some time still stands: the Bruins have Mike Dunham overseeing goaltender development, Adam McQuaid working with the skaters, and now Zdeno Chara adding his expertise on the back end (Both former defensemen). But where’s the dedicated voice focused on developing the forwards?
That’s the first issue the Bruins need to correct.
Andrew asks: Can you explain what happens with the Leafs pick if Ottawa finishes fifth and Toronto finishes sixth? Is it the protected and the Bruins pick moves onto next year or 2028? Also, I haven’t seen you on HF Boards in some time. Hoping your health is good.
Answer: There’s nothing in the NHL by‑laws or the CBA that specifically outlines procedures for forfeited draft picks. However, there is precedent. In the 2021 Draft, Arizona forfeited the 11th overall selection — a situation that mirrors what Ottawa is facing this season.
Just as we saw with Arizona, Ottawa will be excluded from the draft lottery and locked into the fifth pick. The remaining 15 non‑playoff teams will participate and be slotted one through fifteen, but with Ottawa locked into fifth spot, the fifth‑place team slides to sixth, the sixth‑place team to seventh, and so on. In that scenario, the only path for the Maple Leafs to climb into the top five would be to win the lottery outright.
As for my health, everything is fine. I’ve got three grandkids — with a fourth arriving in a couple of months — and they keep me plenty busy. I haven’t posted on HF in five or six months. Much like here, I tried to answer every question that came my way, until one day someone took issue with a response and fired back with something rude and unnecessary. I don’t need that, and I decided that the hour I spent there each day was far better spent with the kids.
