(Photo credit: Steven Bisig / Imagn Images)

By: Jake Ferraro | Follow me on Twitter/X @18Jxxx18

In five days, the Boston Bruins will return to action for the first time since Feb. 4 when they host the Columbus Blue Jackets at TD Garden at 7 p.m. ET. When the National Hockey League returns to play following tomorrow’s final games of the 2026 Winter Olympics, the trade deadline will be focused on by all 32 teams.

An area that has been buzzing that the Bruins will be upgrading at the trade deadline is defense. Rumors and projections that the Bruins could trade for defensemen Justin Faulk and Braden Schneider have already been made. Now, Bruins defenseman Andrew Peeke will be one to keep an eye on in trade rumors.

Recently, Peeke has been named in potential trade rumors. The Athletic’s Chris Johnson had Peeke’s name on a recent trade board, and The Athletic’s Fluto Shinzawa also recently mentioned that the Bruins could be open to moving Peeke if it were to help with the team’s prospect pool. The Hockey News’ Michael DeRosa named the Dallas Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Edmonton Oilers as three potential fits for Peeke if the Bruins were to trade him.

Peeke has turned into a player whom the Bruins could hypothetically trade at this year’s trade deadline. In 56 games played, Peeke has recorded 12 points, and his -7 rating is the second-lowest on the Bruins’ roster. While Peeke does lead the Bruins with 101 blocked shots, he hasn’t turned into the player the team had hoped for after acquiring him in a trade with the Blue Jackets during the 2023-24 season.

After this season concludes, Peeke will be an unrestricted free agent at 28 years old. Peeke is the only everyday defenseman on the Bruins who will be an unrestricted free agent after the season. While defenseman Jordan Harris is also a restricted free agent after the season, he’s played in five NHL games this season for Boston. Being on an expiring contract at his age can turn Peeke into easy trade bait, and his $2.75 million salary isn’t that high for a team to take on if the Bruins were to trade him.

The Bruins can certainly use Peeke in a trade to either acquire a young prospect or trade away in a package to help Don Sweeney’s plan of retooling. Another idea the Bruins could have is to trade Peeke for a draft pick to build for the future. The Bruins need a better right-handed defenseman they can rely on game after game. This season hasn’t been a breakthrough type of season for Peeke, with him being inconsistent and a liability at times.

Outside of Charlie McAvoy, the Bruins’ offensive production from their defensemen hasn’t been there this season. McAvoy is the only Bruins defenseman with at least 25 points on the season. Peeke’s 12 points are fifth among Bruins defensemen. Peeke may have to have a tremendous stretch after the Olympic break, so the Bruins don’t trade him. In the meantime, Peeke’s name is one to keep an eye on for the trade deadline.