By: Ryan Jainchill | Follow me on Twitter / X @Jainchill_Ryan
On Wednesday, July 1st, NHL free agency begins and the Boston Bruins have some issues that need to be addressed on the open market. With $7.715 million in cap space, according to PuckPedia, General Manager Don Sweeney has the ability to target impact players in free agency and add them to the 2026-27 roster.
However, much of the calamity of July 1st has been mitigated by the recent development of sign-and-trades. One of the top names on the market, Alex Tuch, was a part of a sign-and-trade to the Washington Capitals, where he signed for eight years and $84 million. John Carlson, one of the top right-handed defensemen on the market, had his rights dealt to the Carolina Hurricanes, even if a contract has not been finalized.
With that being said, there are still players on the open market who the Bruins could and should target. Despite a relatively weak free agency class compared to other seasons, the holes in the Bruins’ roster can mostly be addressed.
Target position #1: Right-Handed Defenseman
Last season, one of the major flaws in the Bruins’ defensive system was the lack of a second-pair right-handed-shot defenseman. After dealing Brandon Carlo to the Toronto Maple Leafs at the 2025 trade deadline, the Bruins have yet to find a permanent replacement to play behind Charlie McAvoy. Throughout the year, the position rotated, being split between Andrew Peeke, Henri Jokiharju and Mason Lohrei, who was playing his offside.
There are certainly options for quality right-handed defensemen on the open market. While the top name, Darren Raddysh, was a part of yet another sign-and-trade and inked in Toronto and the aforementioned Carlson’s rights are with the Hurricanes, Sweeney and his staff have options.
Rasmus Andersson, who has long been linked to the Bruins, is on the open market after a trade to the Vegas Golden Knights at the deadline and a disappointing postseason performance. He will likely command upwards of seven or eight million on the open market, if that even happens. Given the Golden Knights’ previous ability to shed payroll for players, it would not be shocking to see him re-sign.
If Andersson were to re-sign in Vegas, the top choice on the market would be former Anaheim Duck Jacob Trouba, a burly physical defenseman who played well in Anaheim after a disastrous end with the New York Rangers. Outside of Trouba, the right-handed defenseman market gets thin, with the remaining options being Nick Blankenburg, Trevor van Riemsdyk, Nick Jensen and more. Also in that list is Peeke, who has yet to reach an agreement with the Bruins for an extension.
If Andersson and Carlson sign elsewhere, Trouba would be the best remaining fit for the Bruins and provide another tough customer alongside Nikita Zadorov. But given the market, it would not be surprising if the Bruins re-sign Peeke and run back their rotation
Target position #2: Top Six Forward
The Bruins have already addressed this need in part, acquiring JJ Peterka from the Utah Mammoth on draft night in exchange for two first-round selections. As a winger, Peterka will either slot in on the top line with David Pastrnak or replace UFA Viktor Arvidsson on the second line. Even with Peterka’s addition, the Bruins need more, especially at center.
Two free-agent signings ago, the Bruins made a long-term investment in Elias Lindholm as their top-line center, which has not quite worked out. Pavel Zacha, who has one year left on his deal, has had his name in trade talks for the last little while and it is still uncertain whether he gets extended or dealt. This leaves the Bruins with a pending need at center in the top six.
However, the market is bare of top-line centers. The top option down the middle is 38-year-old Claude Giroux, who is certainly not a long-term option for Boston. Scott Laughton, former Bruin Erik Haula and Boone Jenner make up the rest of the list, none of whom are long-term solutions for the Bruins.
When it comes to pure top-six talent on the open market, the options are aging wingers who are likely on their last few contracts. Anders Lee, Mats Zuccarello, Patrick Kane and Vladimir Tarasenko are free agents, but a true investment in any of those players does not necessarily address the Bruins’ main issues.
Sweeney and his staff should think twice before using free agency to address their need down the middle, especially with the emergence of Fraser Minten and the arrival of James Hagens. With Peterka in the fold now, they have another scoring winger and do not need to gamble on a short-term stopgap like a Giroux.
Target Position #3: Depth Scoring
One aspect of play that hurt the Bruins in the postseason was their lack of depth scoring. In the series against Buffalo, the third line contributed zero goals, which puts more pressure on your top two lines to produce. Adding another depth scorer who can play middle-six minutes would benefit Boston greatly next season.
Aside from some of the wingers mentioned above, there are some quality options who would be both within the Bruins’ budget and beneficial. A player like Eeli Tolvanen, who is a 27-year-old winger, would be a great fit as a depth scorer. Mason Marchment, recently non-qualified Toronto Maple Leaf Matias Maccelli, Oliver Bjorkstrand, Michael Bunting and more are available and would not break the bank.
None of those players is a superstar, but they are great fits for teams that need another scoring boost and many come with a trait that benefits them greatly. For Tolvanen and Maccelli, it is their speed and for Marchment and Bunting, it’s their physicality and forechecking ability. With the seven-ish million in cap space to spend, adding a middle-sixer to replace Arvidsson and help out the youngsters would be smart.
Having a veteran third-line winger would aid whoever is centering that line and give the Bruins more depth in their lineup. With the current roster including candidates for those spots, like Alex Steeves, Marat Khusnutdinov and Lukas Reichel, a proven veteran could provide more leadership and presence to help take the scoring burden off the top six.
July 1st may be a quiet-ish day for the Bruins, but if they choose to attack the open market, there are quality players available who fill positions of need. Addressing one of the Bruins’ issues heading into next season would be tidy work for Sweeney and his staff as the team looks to build on last season’s 100-point campaign.
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