By: Jake Ferraro | Follow me on Twitter/X @18Jxxx18
The Boston Bruins returned to the Stanley Cup Playoffs this season after missing out last season. However, the 2026 playoffs were a disaster, as the Buffalo Sabres eliminated the Bruins in six games in the first round. Had Jeremy Swayman’s goaltending not been solid for the Bruins, the series could’ve been worse than it was. Defense needs to be an upgrade for Bruins general manager Don Sweeney this offseason, in particular, a right-handed defenseman. A new Bleacher Report article may have given the Bruins a perfect ideal target this free agency on the Anaheim Ducks: defenseman Jacob Trouba.
Recently, Bleacher Report’s Adam Gretz wrote an article titled “5 NHL Free-Agency Landing Spots for Jacob Trouba After Ducks’ Elimination.” The Bruins were one of the five teams Gretz named as a landing spot for Trouba. With how this past season went for the Bruins, Trouba would be a solid piece to add to the defense at 6-foot-3, 212 lbs.
Gretz mentioned that the Bruins’ return to the playoffs was good news, but the bad news is that there was a lot of “smoke and mirrors” in their playoff elimination. Gretz also mentioned that Swyaman was the driving force of the team and that he masked the Bruins’ defensive flaws. This season, the Bruins finished 29th in expected goals against per 60 minutes of 5-on-5 play, 22nd in scoring chances against per 60 minutes, and 28th in high-danger scoring chances against per 60 minutes.
Gretz gave Swayman a lot of credit for his play in helping the Bruins out of a deep hole, but Trouba can bring in much-needed defense to a team like the Bruins that desperately needs it. There’s more that Trouba can bring to the Bruins, along with his defensive play. This season with the Ducks, Trouba’s 35 points were the tenth-most on the roster, and his ten goals were tied for the most among defensemen. Trouba led the Ducks with 149 blocked shots, and his 143 hits were the third-most on the roster. Trouba showed excellent play offensively and defensively for the Ducks.
Trouba’s play helped the Ducks reach the playoffs for the first time since 2018. The Ducks upset the back-to-back Western Conference champion Edmonton Oilers in the first round of the 2026 playoffs before being eliminated in six games by the Vegas Golden Knights in the second round. While Trouba recorded just one assist for the Ducks in 12 playoff games, his 40 hits were the third-most, and his 16 blocked shots were the fourth-most during the playoffs on the roster.
The Bruins lacked a second right-handed defenseman behind Charlie McAvoy all season. McAvoy was the only Bruins defenseman who recorded at least 30 points this season. Nikita Zadorov, Hampus Lindholm, Mason Lohrei, and Jonathan Asiporot each showed flashes for the Bruins as left-handed defensemen. Aspirot’s +30 rating led the Bruins, and Zadorov’s 196 hits led all defensemen on the roster. However, right-handed defensemen Andrew Peeke and Henri Jokiharju had more struggles than flashes this season. Peeke led the Bruins with 135 blocked shots, but finished with a -12 rating. Given the roster, the Bruins need a right-handed defenseman who can play both ends well, and that is where Trouba can fit in.
Trouba can also bring in experience to a Bruins team that has good young players on the roster. After all, Trouba is a former New York Rangers captain. Being a captain of an Original Six team isn’t an honor many hockey players can say, but Trouba can.
Trouba is an unrestricted free agent this Summer. Trouba’s last contract was in 2019 when he signed a seven-year, $56 million ($8 million AAV) contract with the Rangers. Considering Trouba is 32 years old, he may not be in the $8 million range, and could be closer to $6-7.5 million. However, the Bruins can use the attributes Trouba would bring over the next couple of seasons to win now.
“Whether Trouba is the type of defenseman they need is debatable, but he does seem like the kind they like to have: big, physical, and not afraid to hit people,” Gretz said. “That is the Bruins’ DNA, especially on defense, and he would certainly fit in with it.”
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