By: Ryan Jainchill | Follow me on Twitter / X @Jainchill_Ryan
Heading into the 2026-27 season, the Boston Bruins have a decision to make on defenseman Mason Lohrei. Last season, many expected the young left-shot defenseman to solidify himself as a smooth-skating, offensively-minded top-four player, but despite those expectations, it was an inconsistent year. Now, questions linger about Lohrei’s future in Boston heading into next season.
In his third NHL season and second year of consistent play, Lohrei posted a stat line of 7-19-26, averaged 16:54 time on ice and was plus-17, setting career-highs in goals and plus-minus. The Louisiana native’s best stretch of play came in late October and early November, when he had 2-6-8 in seven games. However, come playoff time, Lohrei appeared in only three of the Bruins’ six playoff games and did not record a point, being healthy scratched for the final three games of the series.
During the 2024-25 season, his first full NHL season, Lohrei posted 5-28-33, all career highs. He averaged 19:32 time on ice, much of which was boosted due to the Bruins’ depleted defensive core after the trade deadline. But Lohrei showed potential to be a quality puck-moving offensive defenseman, as he racked up 15 power-play assists as the team’s quarterback down the stretch.
There were some positives in Lohrei’s game this season, despite the low-ish point total for an offensive defenseman. He made noticeable strides in his own end, which showed in the jump to a plus-17 from a staggering minus-43 last season. Lohrei also showed an ability to make plays in transition and move around the blue line, something that makes him stand out from other Bruins defenseman.
Despite that, much of the connotation of Lohrei’s season stems from his inability to take another step forward. Sure, the 33 points and 15 power-play assists may be credited to being the only offensive defenseman on an injured and bad Bruins team, but there was the thought that maybe the 25-year-old could have parlayed that into another step forward this season. Instead, the Bruins now face a dilemma of whether or not to move the young defenseman.
Lohrei’s name was thrown around in trade proposals this season, mainly as what would have been a piece in a potential trade for former Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson. At the time of the rumors, Lohrei was playing on his off-hand side with Hampus Lindholm on the second pair, the spot in which Andersson would have occupied. Another thought was that he would be packaged in a deal for a top-six forward, but again, nothing came to fruition.
In terms of his value and potential, Lohrei is really the only defensive piece the Bruins can move from their NHL roster that would make sense and be wanted in a trade package, aside from the likes of Charlie McAvoy or Nikita Zadorov. Given he is entering year two of a two-year contract signed last offseason and is only set to make $3.2 million next season, the time may be now to move the 6’5” defenseman. However, moving Lohrei on his own would not be the best way to maximize his value. While a “hockey trade” may make sense, it is uncertain who across the league would have, ideally, a young top-nine forward with equal trade value that they would be willing to part ways with.
The upside of keeping Lohrei is that he is still young and has shown the ability to play at a high level. In the offensive zone, he moves incredibly well laterally, opening passing lanes and shots. As a former forward growing up, Lohrei has a knack for finding space in the offensive zone, whether that is sneaking down from the point or finding a soft spot in open ice. If he can continue to build off his offensive instincts and improve his defensive zone habits, he could turn into a quality top-four offensive defenseman, possibly paired alongside McAvoy.
Another reason to keep Lohrei is his contract. With the Bruins having $15.42 in cap space and only two rostered unrestricted free agents, they do not need to move Lohrei for cap reasons at this moment. While he will need a new deal after the 2026-27 season, management could move him at the deadline or before he reaches restricted free-agent status.
On the contrary, there are definitely some reasons the Bruins would want to move on from Lohrei this offseason. For starters, having your best offensive defenseman play on his offside is not ideal for his development, though it was necessary at the time. They have tried a Lohrei/McAvoy pair, but the results were nothing special and the top-pair spot was eventually occupied by newcomer Jonathan Aspirot.
Another reason for concern was his struggles in his own end. Despite his 6’5” frame, Lohrei is not a physical guy; rather, he is a smooth-skating, lanky puckmover. His 30 hits were the third-lowest of Bruins defenseman who played in at least 40 regular season games, only more than Lindholm and Henri Jokiharju, who appeared in 41 games. Lohrei also has a turnover problem, as he finished third on the team with 93 and only recorded 20 takeaways.
There is still so much room to grow in Lohrei’s game, especially considering he is entering his third full season of NHL action and fourth overall. But even with his strides this season, more is still needed for Lohrei to reach his potential and there is a chance that the Bruins’ management feels he is expendable. Right now, the Bruins have six defensemen, including Lohrei, under contract for the 2026-27 season and have Frederic Brunet, another gifted offensive defenseman, waiting in Providence for his opportunity.
With the Bruins needing upgrades in their top six and to find another defenseman, the odds of Lohrei being used in a trade package are high. While banking on another year of his potential and trying to get him to take another step forward may be a good option, if the Bruins were to land a big fish on the trade market and address a position of need, moving Lohrei is certainly a possibility.
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