By: Chris Nosek

The Boston Bruins clearly need some help on the right side of the defense. Based on how they approached the trade deadline, they want someone with multiple years of control or someone they can extend. The Bruins have enough assets to swing a major trade or a few smaller ones. While there are several high-end names who could be available, it’s more likely Sweeney will look to make either a few smaller moves or one large move that fills multiple lineup holes. So let’s look at some of the lesser-known names that Sweeney could look to bring in.

Calgary Flames – Brayden Pachel
Undrafted Free Agent

Zach Whitecloud is the name on everyone’s mind as the Flames enter their rebuild. However, in a smaller trade, Pachel could help Boston on the right side of their blueline. Pachel is under contract for the 2026-27 season with a cap hit of only $1.1 million. Given the Flames claimed Pachal off of waivers, the acquisition cost for him could be as high as a mid-round draft pick or a prospect. He played about 15 minutes per night for the Flames and could be a solid addition as a replacement for Brandon Carlo. He could also be included in a larger trade to help balance the return if Boston tries to acquire Ryan Strome, Yegor Sharangovich, or even Jonathan Huberdeau.

Chicago Blackhawks – Louis Crevier
Drafted: 2020, 7th Round, 188 Overall

The Blackhawks walked away from the Draft Lottery with the fourth overall selection and are now in position to add a player like Chase Reid or Keaton Verhoff to their defense. With a d-core that already includes Artyom Levshunov, Sam Rinzel, Alex Vlasic, and Kevin Korchinski, the addition of either Verhoff or Reid would likely make Kyle Davidson okay with the idea of parting ways with his former 7th-round draft selection. Crevier has averaged almost 17 minutes per game over his 134 games at the NHL level. His 6’8″ and 227-pound frame allows him to be a physical presence in the lineup. There are several approaches that both teams could take for such a trade. For instance, Boston could use the opportunity to bring in a player such as Andre Burakovsky or Teuvo Teravainen, along with Crevier.

Columbus Blue Jackets – Corson Ceulemans
Drafted: 2021, 1st Round, 25th Overall

It’s unlikely that the former 25th overall selection will be made available. However, Damon Severson has a full no-trade clause in his contract along with four more seasons, and Dante Fabbro was just signed to a four-year contract last offseason. It’s possible Ceulemans will see time behind them in the lineup, especially when you factor in that Rick Bowness was brought back with the idea of major changes coming. This could mean that alternate captain Erik Gudbranson may not return. However, there are several options for a trade between the two teams, and if Fabbro isn’t made available, it’s possible Ceulemans could be pried away.

Detroit Red Wings – Anton Johansson
Drafted: 2022, 4th Round, 105th Overall

The Red Wings’ blue line is built around 25-year-old Moritz Seider, and will likely see Axel Sandin Pellikka or Jacob Bernard-Docker added on a regular basis next season. Meanwhile, after adding Justin Faulk at the trade deadline (for an unprotected 1st round draft pick), it’s very unlikely that he won’t be in the lineup as well. This could put Johansson on the block despite the fact he’s entering the second year of his Entry Level Contract. He’s been a very strong shut-down defender and can help clear out the front of the net in his own zone, which is an area Boston could use some improvement in. This is the type of situation where the two teams could also help each other as they balance the trade’s scale. Yzerman could look to part with the two remaining seasons on J.T. Compher’s contract in exchange for one season remaining on Casey Mittelstadt’s contract – or something to that effect, as Detroit could use the help on the left side, while Boston’s right side is pretty thin.

Nashville Predators – Andrew Gibson
Drafted: 2023, Round 2, 42nd Overall

Gibson is only 21 years old and will be entering the second year of his Entry Level Contract. However, even at such a young age, he has proven to be a solid, defensively responsible player who maintains structure and stability in his own zone. While he won’t be lighting up the score sheet, he could fill in a role similar to what Brandon Carlo held during his time in Boston. He doesn’t have the same high-end upside as others on this list, but that would keep his acquisition cost low, which is key for the Boston Bruins.

The former 2nd-round pick might get some NHL time in Nashville this season; however, with Perbix, Barron, and Ufko also on the depth chart, Gibson could be made available for a young forward. He could also be added to a package with a draft pick, as Nashville has five additional picks in rounds two through five. This would allow Nashville to potentially improve their draft position – i.e., pairing Gibson with a 2nd round pick in exchange for Boston’s 1st-round pick, which will be in the early 20s. Any player Boston takes with that pick would likely be several seasons away from helping their NHL roster, while Gibson could help as soon as next season or the year after.

New York Rangers – Vincent Iorio
Drafted: 2021, 2nd Round, 55th Overall

The New York Rangers are set for another rebuild, which means Adam Fox and William Borgen will be on everyone’s radar. Both are high-end players who are signed long-term. Meanwhile, Iorio will hit the restricted free agent market this summer. He will fly under the radar because he has only played 36 NHL games. He’s proven to be a steady, mobile puck mover who is strong in his stick positioning and can read plays at a high level. Despite being 6’3″ and over 200 pounds, it’s unlikely the former 55th overall draft pick is someone Drury would think twice about moving, especially if it helps improve a return package for another player on his roster. While a player like Vincent Trocheck would dominate the headline, adding Iorio to such a deal could solve Boston’s two biggest problems in one move.

Ottawa Senators – Nikolas Matinpalo
Undrafted Free Agent

This season, the Ottawa Senators’ depth was tested extensively – especially on defense. Both Jordan Spence and Carter Yakemchuk showed that they could likely be in the lineup full-time next season. Those two, plus Artyom Zub, all on the right side, could make a player like Matinpalo viewed as movable. He’s only played 95 NHL games, but he was on Team Finland at the Olympics this year, along with current Bruins Henri Jokiharju and Joonas Korpisalo. Since Matinpalo was an undrafted free agent, it shouldn’t take too much to pry him away, and with puck movers already in their lineup, his strong defense would be a welcome addition for Boston.

Ottawa Senators – Cameron Crotty
Drafted: 2017, Round 3, 82nd Overall

Crotty has only 8 NHL games under his belt and would become available for the same reasons as Matinpalo. Having fewer games under his belt could prove a lower acquisition cost, which would be very helpful for Boston. His cap hit is only $812,500, which would allow Sweeney a lot of room to work with for other areas of need. He spent four seasons playing for Boston University, so the Bruins should have decent scouting notes on him. Boston fans may want the splash of a Brady Tkachuk trade, but the addition of Crotty or Matinpalo would likely be more beneficial for the Bruins’ lineup.

St. Louis Blues – Matthew Kessel
Drafted: 2020, Round 5, 150th Overall

While fans want the Bruins and Blues to link up for a trade, their focus is on Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou. The 25-year-old Kessel, on the other hand, will be a restricted free agent this summer. The Blues expect Logan Mailloux to take another step next season, and they also have Adam Jiricek in their system. They still have Colton Parayko and Justin Holl on the roster as well. Kessel would bring a physical presence stong in his own defensive zone who is rarely caught out of position. He would be a great replacement for Brandon Carlo. Adding Kessel to the lineup would be a great move for Boston. However, if they do decide to swing for Kyrou or Thomas, Kessel would be a great second piece in such a deal to make the high price worth paying.

Vegas Golden Knights – Kaedan Korczak
Drafted: Round 2, 41st Overall

It’s extremely unlikely that Korczak becomes available because he is the only right-shot defender on Vegas’ roster for next season. He also just signed his contract extension this past season. However, someone has to be the benefactor of the cap crunch about to hit the Golden Knights. They only have $4.6 million in cap space, which Pavel Dorofeyev could consume entirely on his own. Dorofeyev will be a restricted free agent along with Akira Schmid this summer, plus seven other pending free agents. Boston could provide young, less costly players or draft capital that Vegas needs. Vegas will likely need to complete several moves this summer, and it’s possible (unlikely) that Korczak could become available because he’s one of the five players on the roster without trade protection.