The Boston Bruins are reshaping their defensive core as the new season approaches, bringing in a suite of experienced blueliners to complement an already deep blue‑line.
General manager Don Sweeney said the club now fields ten NHL‑ready defensemen, a depth that gives him flexibility to address the need for right‑shot specialists and to manage the inevitable wear of an 82‑game schedule.
McAvoy's early absence creates opportunity
Star defenseman Charlie McAvoy will miss the first six games due to injury, giving the organization a chance to evaluate the likes of Hampus Lindholm, Nikita Zadorov, Will Borgen and Connor Clifton in more prominent roles.
Among the candidates, Frederic Brunet has emerged as a mobile, puck‑moving option after posting 36 points in 65 games for Providence and earning a spot on the 2026 AHL All‑Star Game roster.
The roster also includes Jordan Harris, Jonathan Aspirot, Mason Lohrei, Henri Jokiharju and Marco Sturm, each of whom brings a different skill set and, in some cases, trade protection that could influence future moves.
Sweeney emphasized that the team remains open to opportunistic acquisitions should the right offer materialize, but for now the focus is on internal competition and building chemistry before the season opener.