Three weeks into the Boston Bruins’ 2025 offseason, things are moving quickly. The team secured the seventh overall pick in next month’s NHL Entry Draft, the lowest possible position they could have ended up in. Considering their performance during the 2024-25 season, it’s a fitting outcome.
Following the draft, attention will shift to free agency, with all eyes on how general manager Don Sweeney will reshape the roster for the upcoming season. Beyond targeting external free agents, there will also be focus on the future of the Bruins’ own restricted (RFA) and unrestricted (UFA) free agents. After signing Patrick Brown to a one-year, two-way contract on Tuesday, it’s time to make predictions for the remaining free agents and whether they’ll stay in Boston or look for opportunities elsewhere.
In a previous post, we predicted that three free agents—John Beecher, Parker Wortherspoon, and Cole Koepke—would be part of the team’s plans. Now, here’s a look at some of their other free agents, along with predictions for their futures.
Morgan Geekie: RFA
This should be an easy decision, though we’ve seen contract talks between the team and players go off course when they shouldn’t (think back to Jeremy Swayman last summer). Morgan Geekie just finished his second consecutive career-best season, scoring 32 goals—something no one expected. His current contract is a steal at a \$2 million AAV, so he’s due for a substantial pay increase. You’d expect this deal to be finalized soon, and hopefully it will be.
Prediction: Re-sign
Mason Lohrei: RFA
Mason Lohrei, the young defenseman, had a tough season, but if there was ever a time for him to struggle and grow from his mistakes at the NHL level, it was this year. After Charlie McAvoy was sidelined for the season in February, Lohrei got significant time on the top power play unit and performed well. He has too much potential to ignore, and he should be a long-term left-shot defenseman for Boston.
Prediction: Re-signing
Marat Khusnutdinov: RFA
Marat Khusnutdinov, who was traded to the Bruins from the Minnesota Wild in March in exchange for Justin Brazeau, didn’t quite develop into the player the organization had hoped for. However, in his brief time with Boston, he showed some promise, recording three goals and two assists in 18 games. He possesses solid speed and a strong willingness to shoot the puck. He could potentially carve out a spot in the bottom-six for the Bruins next season.
Prediction: Re-signing
Jakub Lauko: RFA
Jakub Lauko, another player involved in the Brazeau trade from Minnesota to Boston, was once a fan favorite in Boston. After the Wild acquired him last year, they didn’t get the player they expected and decided to move on quickly. When Lauko returned to the Bruins, he seemed energized, playing with intensity, creating issues for opposing teams on the forecheck, and not shying away from physical play. This situation could go either way, and the outcome might be closer than most think.
Prediction: Coin Flip
Henri Jokiharju: UFA
Henry Jokiharju was acquired from the Buffalo Sabres at the trade deadline to provide depth after the Bruins parted ways with Brandon Carlo, highlighting the team’s lack of defensive depth. Paired with Nikita Zadorov, Jokiharju formed a solid defensive duo. The decision on his future will depend on whether the Bruins have a free-agent option in mind that would be an upgrade. If not, re-signing Jokiharju makes the most sense, as he would be a cost-effective option.
Prediction: Re-signing
With approximately \$28 million in cap space this summer, Don Sweeney has the flexibility to make moves, and aside from re-signing players like Geekie and possibly Lohrei (depending on their contract structure), most of these deals will be manageable in terms of AAV, leaving room for bigger signings.