2 UFAs Boston Bruins Need to Target in the Offseason – The Hockey Writers –

The Boston Bruins are a lock for the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. A testament to general manager (GM) Don Sweeney’s ability to build a roster from parts unknown (extreme exaggeration here).

Sweeney utilized unproven, younger talent in Marat Khusnutdinov, James Hagens (signed an entry-level contract recently), and signed top-four defenseman Jonathan Aspirot in January.

This team was supposed to miss the mark as a retooling team, and with the pieces available, they look like they’d need another season or two to regain competitiveness. However, they’ve managed to piece together a plucky mix of veteran and young talent. The goaltending has held up its end of the bargain with Jeremy Swayman returning to form, and Joonas Korpisalo playing great hockey, with a 14-9-6 record, 3.15 goals-against average, and a .894 save percentage.

But long-term success requires an outlook longer than six months, or the playoff stretch. The Bruins aren’t done by any means, especially if they’re an early out in 2026.

James van Riemsdyk

James van Riemsdyk is familiar with the Bruins’ organization, playing as a depth forward during ex-coach Jim Montgomery’s tenure.

This season, he’s played for the Detroit Red Wings, signed to a one-year contract paying him $1 million average annual value (AAV), and he’s played above expectations on a Hockeytown team that has disappointed.

He recorded 31 points (15-16) in 71 games, with seven goals and four assists on the power play. He played in Boston during the 2023-24 NHL season and recorded 38 points (11 goals, 27 assists) in 71 games, playing an average time on ice of 10:51.

With the team sending Lukas Reichel down to the American Hockey League (AHL) once more, and Michael Eyessimont taking a spot in the top-six, JVR would be a suitable replacement in the lineup for a team that has just taken a major leap under head coach Marco Sturm. There’s an argument to be had that JVR is a better all-around forward and would be beneficial as a locker-room leader as well.

Mason Marchment

Mason Marchment is three seasons removed from his 53-point season with the Dallas Stars. But that doesn’t mean he has nothing to offer his next team. As a pending unrestricted free agent, he offers a snarl that the Bruins have been missing with the exit of Brad Marchand from the team.

Marchment was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets by the Seattle Kraken on Dec. 20, 2025. The Blue Jackets traded away a 2026 fourth-round pick and a 2027 second-round pick for the bruising forward.

After he arrived in Columbus, he played primarily in the top six and proved that he still had what it takes to play a solid two-way game, recording 32 points (15 goals, 17 assists) in 39 games. A steal of a trade for the Blue Jackets, who needed another hard-nosed player aside from Mathieu Olivier.

But that doesn’t mean he should escape the gaze of the Bruins’ front office.

His current $4.5 million AAV contract expires at the end of the season, and if the Bruins could work the cap gymnastics, they could add another producer in the lineup for a bargain. With $889,000 in cap space available, GM Sweeney will have to find a way to make the money work should he find a free agent he likes, including the two mentioned above.

Both players would provide a spark and meaningful depth in both the bottom and top six of the lineup at a nice price.