The Boston Bruins have an unusually tough situation on their hands. A once-promising defensive prospect is on a downward slope to the point where a fresh start may be necessary.
That prospect is Mason Lohrei. He was once high on the Bruins’ radar. He earned playing time alongside top defenseman Charlie McAvoy. Unfortunately, his overall game cratered, leaving Boston in a pickle.
Lohrei has been a healthy scratch for the last four games or so. The team isn’t prepared to send him to the AHL. And it doesn’t look like he’s going to get much playing time in the NHL. So, it seems a fresh start could be the best way out.
This trade pitch offers Lohrei a fresh start, while the Bruins get back a potentially solid vet. Here’s a look at how this deal could play out:
Bruins get:
Samuel Girard, D
Avalanche get:
Mason Lohrei, D
The Colorado Avalanche could move on from Samuel Girard, as the injury bug has hit him hard over the last couple of seasons. Girard is a great defenseman when healthy. But a Stanley Cup like the Avalanche can’t afford to lose a roster spot to an oft-injured player.
On the flipside, adding Lohrei could be a positive step for the Avalanche. They get a talented blueliner who could benefit from playing with high-end players like Cale Makar and Brent Burns.
As for the Bruins, if Girard stays healthy, he can be a solid addition behind McAvoy. Since there really wouldn’t be as much pressure on him in Boston, Girard can take his time in coming back. The Bruins could use his experience and overall skill level.
If healthy, Girard could be a tremendous addition for the Bruins.
How Girard Fits on Bruins’ Blue Line
At the moment, the Bruins are rolling with Nikita Zadorov on their top pair alongside McAvoy. Zadorov is a good, physical player, but not precisely a top-pairing defenseman. Yes, he allows McAvoy to do his thing, but there is a need for a more reliable blueliner who could pair with McAvoy.
That’s where Girard could find a place on the Bruins’ blueline. Of course, Girard is more of an offensive, puck-moving blueliner. But he’s a left shot and is defensively responsible. Unless the Bruins are willing to pair Hampus Lindholm with McAvoy and slide in Girard with Zadorov on his offside, the Bruins don’t really have much of a choice. They need more talent on the back end, and a healthy Girard can deliver that.
Boston Could Make a Mistake by Moving on From Lohrei
It’s worth playing devil’s advocate for a second. The Bruins could make a serious mistake by moving on from Mason Lohrei at this point. He’s still a young defenseman and may just need to time to regroup and recalibrate.
So, giving him time to get back on track is perhaps the best course of action for the Bruins. They could find a way to get him away from the club. Since they can’t just sneak him through waivers, perhaps a personal leave of absence might be a good place to start.
There’s still time this season for Lohrei to take a step back and get his game back together. The trade deadline is months away, and the Bruins have a reasonable shot at the playoffs. So, why not give Lohrei a breather now?
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