By: Ellie Man | Follow me on Twitter/X @ellieyym
The first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Finals saw the Boston Bruins take on the Buffalo Sabres. The fierce competition set the stage for intense physicality, increased frustration, and bitter retaliation. The heat hit a peak with Charlie McAvoy’s six-game suspension for slashing Zach Benson as the Bruins’ run came to an end.
With the Bruins having now played their first six games of the season (4-2-0), McAvoy is likely to return to take on the San Jose Sharks. This exciting match-up falls as part of the National Hockey League’s Frozen Frenzy and will kick off the Bruins’ four-game road trip.
With the Bruins having a surplus of defensemen ready to take to the ice, McAvoy’s reinstatement will shake up the team’s roster. This is particularly significant with Boston’s lines already having been reshuffled to reset the standard of play, successfully resulting in the Bruins’ last two wins.
McAvoy is expected to slot back into his usual place in the first defensive pairing for the Bruins, while Hampus Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov are easy stand-ins for the team’s second and third lines, having already proven their mettle. But with more players than spaces, the question of who makes way hangs in the air.
Frederic Brunet
Frederic Brunet has recently stepped up to the elite level, showing his potential with a calm composure and clear vision under pressure. He’s been a solid performer, making smart plays and effective passes. This effort resulted in an assist on David Pastrnak’s first goal of the season, strengthening Brunet’s case to remain in the National Hockey League.
With the need for more experience, it is now a matter of timing. Taking a place next to McAvoy could help to accelerate the 23-year-old’s growth and prove the organization’s trust in his long-term development. Having demonstrated flashes of his capability, it is now time for the Bruins to decide whether Brunet will be taking the next step.
Mason Lohrei
Mason Lohrei has found a new dimension to his game recently, showing good form with four points (2G, 2A) in the season’s start. This includes two goals scored in the last two games. The Louisiana-born player previously struggled with holding onto the puck for too long and making risky plays that resulted in turnovers, but he has risen to the challenge to prove his place on the roster.
Being a former winger, this increase in ability and subsequent confidence in his own play is coming at an opportune moment. He offers flexibility to play on both sides and would fit nicely on a bottom pairing, but he’ll first need to prove that he can stay consistent to cement his role with the Bruins.
Connor Clifton
Connor Clifton has been a trusted pairing with Zadorov so far this season. Having led the team in time on ice and demonstrated his ability on the penalty kill, the New Jersey native is enjoying his second stint in Boston. His experience leans closer to the classic Bruins identity that coach Marco Sturm is eager to reinstate, and he therefore fits a broader vision.
That being said, while fans still hold affection for the 31-year-old, his signing was not a necessary move. The Bruins are seeking to invest in their young talent, all the while having agreed to Clifton for two years at $2.25 million per annum. This commitment could prove a questionable expense, presenting the fine balancing act between immediate and future needs.
Will Borgen
Will Borgen is one of the Bruins’ newest additions, acquired in July 2026 for two draft picks. He’s proven quick on his feet and has supported the team with two assists so far, reminiscent of Brandon Carlo (traded for Fraser Minten and two draft picks in 2025). Borgen also has no qualms about showing aggression, racking up eight penalty minutes so far.
However, Borgen will need to avoid potential lapses, landing himself in the penalty box three times when playing against the Utah Mammoth. Continuing to work with the Bruins would help him refine his game and strengthen his chemistry with his teammates. In turn, this could allow him to settle into a reliable anchor on the second line.
Jonathan Aspirot
Jonathan Aspirot grew his game last season, proving quietly consistent as he ended it with 13 points (3G, 10A), 43 penalty minutes, and a plus-minus of +30. However, the Quebecois has yet to make an impact so far this year. He showed a solid game paired with McAvoy last year, and the duo has been practicing together since.
With a slow start to the 2026-27 campaign, Aspirot’s place on the Bruins’ roster doesn’t look to be locked in. He could prove a reliable seventh defenseman with a lower cap cost than Connor Clifton, but equally so, he could be a dependable call-up as and when the Bruins are in need of defensive reinforcement.
With McAvoy taking over much of the team’s defensive responsibilities with his return, the decision of which players make the roster is a difficult one to make. The Bruins could look to rotate their players and find the best combinations, or establish a consistent lineup early on. But with limited spots available, the choice Sturm faces isn’t one to envy.
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