Mailbag: Mason Lohrei, trade target?

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Thanks for the question, Mike.

It depends on if they sign Mitch Marner, or not.

Marner will likely sign an AAV at around $13M which would account for probably 70 - 75% of the Bruins projected UFA cap allowance.

Boston would still be able to sign a cheap right shot defensemen in the $2M-$2.5M range. Nick Perbix for example would fit that bill, but he's not a bona fide top four right shot defenseman at the moment, rather a fringe 2RD / 3RD.

In all likelihood, however, the Bruins for one reason or another probably won't end up signing Marner, and in that case would have enough cap space to offer someone like Dante Fabbro a projected contract of 4 years, $4.5M.

Fabbro, 26, should be Boston's target.

He's entering his prime, and is coming off of a career year with the Columbus Blue Jackets - 9G, 17A, 26PTS, in 62GP, +23 plus-minus.

He's an above average skater, transitions the puck, and would appropriately slide in as Boston's 2RD behind former college teammate, Charlie McAvoy.

Another enticing reason to acquire Fabbro, is that he would only cost money via free agency rather than money, and assets via a hockey trade.

Hockey trade for a top four defensemen could be on the table, but Fabbro via his UFA status would be Boston's most realistic 2RD offseason target, and acquisition.

Interesting question!

The jury is still out on Mason Lohrei, in particular, his ability to defend.

Last year, Lohrei earned a league worst -43 plus-minus.

However, due to a season ending injury to Hampus Lindholm back in November, Lohrei was both over utilized, and over exposed nearly all season.

McAvoy also missed the final few months of the season and wasn't able to be an option as a steady defense partner for Lohrei.

No excuse for poor defensive metrics, but he was objectively playing situational minutes he wasn't ready for, and without an optimal partner.

Offensively, though, Lohrei had 5G, 28A, 33PTS, in 77GP.

That's encouraging production for a defensemen playing his first full NHL season.

And there in lies the prompt of why he could be a potential trade piece.

His offensive promise is desirable for both the Bruins, and other teams.

But he doesn't even possess average, let alone good or great defensive play at this point in his young career - which isn't ideal for a ... hmm what position does he play again? Oh yea, defense!

Which is why Boston could decide to trade him if they ultimately don't see the offensive value out weighing defensive deficiencies.

Frederic Brunet very well may have an NHL future.

He's a strong skater, puck mover, solid defensively, and had 5G, 20A, 25PTS, 69GP in Providence last year.

Is he ready for the NHL right now? May be a little premature still.

However, if the Bruins believe he is, then yes, it makes Lohrei's future in Boston far more vulnerable. Especially because Brunet's cap hit would be around $2M-$2.5M less than what Lohrei is projected to sign for on a short term deal.

As for a trade?

Lohrei likely doesn't have enough value by himself to receive any return worth while.

What RFA for RFA swap exists where another team would give up the rights to a young, yet more established player than Lohrei?

For example, Buffalo wouldn't (or shouldn't) trade the rights of Bowen Byram, who's younger than Lohrei, produced more than him at the NHL level, and is already a true top four defensemen with the experience of being a Stanley Cup Champion.

The only reason would be if Buffalo believes Lohrei can play a similar role for cheaper.

Lohrei could be swapped, one for one, for another RFA if that player is still unproven like Lohrei - though in which case, Boston might as well hold onto their own player.

Ultimately, unless another team gets stupid, like Buffalo trading Byram to Boston for Lohrei in an RFA swap - Lohrei would most likely be part of a trade package for a high impact player if he were to be moved.

Lohrei being traded would be surprising.

But as far as him being a sneaky trade target ...

Teams around the league would indeed covet him in a trade with Boston - but as part of a return, rather than the whole return.

Simply put?

There was market value for Justin Brazeau around the trade deadline last season, and there wasn't for Johnny Beecher.

The Bruins didn't envision signing Brazeau as a UFA this offseason, so they decided any return was better than no return.

Boston didn't think Brazeau used his size, and skill set well enough to consistently produce and effect the game during his time in Boston.

Additionally, his lack of foot speed likely doesn't align with Boston's preferred style of play going forward.

Still, Brazeau had 10G, 10A, 20PTS in 57GP for Boston prior to being dealt.

Because of that, the Minnesota Wild felt as though he could help chip in offensively while playing a bottom six role and being a net front presence on the power play.

There's a price to pay for that for a playoff bound team.

Bruins walked away with a favorable return for Brazeau.

Marat Khusnutdinov is a young, skilled, and quick skating forward who's offensive upside may be higher than Brazeau's.

His skill set is also better equipped for today's game than the slower skating Brazeau.

Jakub Lauko, is a solid energy forward, and a 6th round pick is better to have than not.

As for Beecher?

He too probably would have been dealt if anyone was willing to trade for him.

Beecher had 3G, 8A, 11PTS, in 78GP last season, and only had 1G over his final 72GP.

His trade value was non existent for playoff qualifying teams.

Yes, Beecher is a decent face off man, and possesses raw skating speed.

But he doesn't use his speed near effectively enough, and is a non factor during most of his ice time.

It wouldn't be surprising if Boston doesn't extend him a qualifying offer as an RFA.

Boston moving on from Brazeau wasn't a damning of the player, it was optimizing an expiring asset.

Boston not moving on from Beecher was because no one else wanted him.

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That's it for this week.

Thanks for participating, and have a great weekend!