The energy around TD Garden feels different this week. It’s not just the crisp January air or the fact that the team finally looks like it has found its legs under Marco Sturm. It’s the trade deadline chatter. Usually, by mid-January, we’re guessing which depth forward Don Sweeney might overpay for. But right now? Things are getting heavy.
The news for Boston Bruins fans is currently dominated by one name: Rasmus Andersson.
Look, we all knew the "retool" was going to be a bumpy ride. After the 2025 fire sale, nobody expected the Bruins to be sitting 4th in the Atlantic with 54 points and a 26-19-2 record. But here we are. This team is actually... good? They just handled Detroit 3-0 and Seattle 4-2. Jeremy Swayman is playing like a man possessed, posting a .962 save percentage over his last few outings.
But there is a glaring hole.
The Rasmus Andersson Rumors Are Getting Real
If you haven't been following the Calgary Flames situation, basically, they are terrified. They have this elite 29-year-old defenseman in Andersson, and they’re scared he’s going to get hurt playing for Sweden in the Olympics. If he gets injured in February, his trade value evaporates before the March deadline.
So they are pushing. Hard.
The latest buzz—and this comes from Jimmy Murphy over at RG.org—is that the Bruins have already put an offer on the table. We’re talking a package centered around Mason Lohrei and a 2026 first-round pick.
Why this move is a massive gamble
Giving up Lohrei is a tough pill to swallow. He’s 25, he’s 6’5”, and he’s exactly the kind of mobile, modern defenseman the Bruins need for the next five years. However, the Bruins happen to have an extra first-round pick in 2026 thanks to the Brandon Carlo trade. They have the "chips" to make this happen without totally bankrupting the future.
- The Pro Case: Andersson is a right-shot, top-four defenseman who eats minutes. With Hampus Lindholm currently on IR and Jordan Harris out with a fractured ankle, the blueline is thin.
- The Con Case: Is Andersson enough to make this team a true Cup contender, or is it just a "win now" panic move that slows down the rebuild?
Honestly, it feels like Sweeney is trying to thread a very tiny needle. You don't want to waste a year where Swayman is this hot, but you also don't want to trade away your best young defensive prospect for a guy on an expiring contract unless he’s signing an extension.
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What’s Going On With the Crease?
Let’s talk about Joonas Korpisalo. It is no secret the Bruins have been trying to move him.
Rumor has it there was a deal in place with the San Jose Sharks just a few days ago. It fell through. Why? Because the Sharks pivoted and landed Laurent Brossoit from Chicago instead. Korpisalo’s $3 million cap hit (with Ottawa still retaining $1 million) is a major sticking point for most teams.
The Bruins are in a bit of a bind here. They have Michael DiPietro absolutely tearing it up in Providence. The kid has earned a shot at the NHL backup role, but as long as Korpisalo is on the roster, the logjam remains. If Sweeney can't find a trade partner by the Olympic break, don't be shocked if Korpisalo hits the waiver wire.
It sounds harsh. But the NHL is a business, and Swayman needs a reliable backup he can trust. Right now, Korpisalo’s 3.20 GAA isn't cutting it.
The Marco Sturm Factor
Can we give some credit to the coaching? When Jim Montgomery was let go, there was a lot of skepticism about Marco Sturm taking over.
The Bruins' offense is currently 7th in the league, averaging a healthy amount of goals. The power play looks organized. Most importantly, the "new guys" are actually contributing.
Fraser Minten just scored a beauty against the Red Wings. Viktor Arvidsson just notched his 10th of the year. Morgan Geekie is quietly having a career year with 25 goals already. This isn't just the David Pastrnak show anymore, though "Pasta" is still the heartbeat of the team.
Recent Results Snapshot
- Jan 15: W 4-2 vs Seattle Kraken
- Jan 13: W 3-0 vs Detroit Red Wings
- Jan 11: W 1-0 vs Pittsburgh Penguins
- Jan 10: W 10-2 vs New York Rangers (Yes, that actually happened)
That 10-2 win over the Rangers was a statement. It signaled to the rest of the Atlantic Division that Boston isn't just "hanging around"—they’re dangerous.
Looking Ahead: The Florida Sun
The next big circle on your calendar should be February 1st.
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The Bruins are heading to Tampa for the NHL Stadium Series at Raymond James Stadium. It’s going to be weird seeing hockey in a football stadium in the Florida heat, but the NHL is going all out. They’ve got LOCASH performing, fan festivals, and the whole nine yards.
For the Bruins, it’s more than just a spectacle. It’s the final stretch before the Olympic break. By the time they hit the ice in Tampa, we will likely know if Rasmus Andersson is wearing a Spoked-B or not.
Actionable Insights for Bruins Fans
If you're trying to keep up with the chaos, here is how you should be watching the next two weeks:
- Watch the Lohrei Minutes: If Mason Lohrei starts seeing his ice time protected or if he’s a "healthy scratch" for "maintenance," a trade is imminent.
- Monitor the Waiver Wire: If Korpisalo isn't traded by the 25th, watch for him to be waived to make room for DiPietro.
- Check the Atlantic Standings: The Bruins are in a dogfight. Every point matters because the Wild Card race is tightening up behind them.
- Injury Updates: Keep an eye on Hampus Lindholm’s "undisclosed" status. If he’s out longer than expected, the pressure to trade for a defenseman like Andersson becomes a necessity, not a luxury.
This team is at a crossroads. They can either stay the course and keep their draft picks, or they can take one last run with the core they have. Whatever Don Sweeney decides, the next few weeks are going to define the next five years of Bruins hockey.
Stay tuned. The trade winds in Boston are blowing harder than a Nor'easter.
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Next Steps: You can track the official NHL transaction log daily to see if the Korpisalo/DiPietro swap happens, and keep an eye on Calgary’s scratch list for any signs of the Andersson deal finalizing before the February 4th Olympic freeze.