The Boston Bruins will have to decide whether one of their most intriguing defensemen deserves a significant raise or a fresh start elsewhere.
Mason Lohrei is entering the final year of his bridge contract with a $3.2 million cap hit.
AFP Analytics projects the 25-year-old to receive a three-year extension worth $4.84 million annually, per Boston Hockey Now’s Jack Studley.
That would put the total value at approximately $14.5 million and increase Lohrei’s annual cap hit by more than 50%.
Boston would also pay considerably more for a player it explored trading during the previous season.
Lohrei Projected for $14.5 Million Bruins Deal
GettyBUFFALO, NEW YORK – APRIL 21: Jordan Greenway #12 of the Buffalo Sabres delivers a hit to Mason Lohrei #6 of the Boston Bruins during the first period in Game Two of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at KeyBank Center on April 21, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)
Lohrei signed a two-year, $6.4 million extension in June 2025.
The deal carries a $3.2 million cap hit through the coming season, and he will remain a restricted free agent with arbitration rights when it expires, per CapWages.
The 6-foot-5 defenseman followed that breakout campaign with seven goals and 26 points in 73 games last season.
His plus-17 rating marked a sharp improvement from his minus-43 finish in 2024-25, although his average ice time fell from 19:32 to 16:54.
Lohrei’s postseason role also raised questions.
He appeared in three playoff games and averaged 14:14 of ice time before falling out of the lineup.
His combination of size, skating and offensive ability remains appealing, but Boston will need to determine how much it trusts him in a consistent role.
AFP’s projection is a guideline rather than a prediction.
Still, a $4.84 million cap hit would represent a meaningful expenditure in a defenseman who has yet to secure a permanent place near the top of the depth chart.
Boston Hockey Now noted that the Bruins have five other NHL-capable left-shot defensemen.
Lohrei has shown he can move to the right side when needed, but the crowded group could make opportunities difficult to guarantee.
Bruins Already Explored Lohrei Trade
GettyBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MARCH 10: Mason Lohrei #6 of the Boston Bruins takes a shot to score a goal against the Los Angeles Kings during the third period at TD Garden on March 10, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Bruins defeat the Kings 2-1 in overtime. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Boston has already shown a willingness to include Lohrei in conversations for an established upgrade.
The Bruins offered Lohrei and a 2027 first-round pick in their January pursuit of Rasmus Andersson, per a report from Boston Hockey Now.
The former Calgary Flames defenseman eventually landed in Vegas after the sides could not reach an extension agreement.
The trade speculation didn’t disappear once the deadline passed.
Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos wrote in late May that he had heard the Bruins were “looking into moving” Lohrei after his limited postseason role.
Boston was determining whether another team valued his upside enough to return help in a different area of the lineup, according to Kypreos.
The Bruins continued to dangle Lohrei as trade bait while searching for upgrades at both ends of the ice.
The projected extension adds another thought to that decision.
Lohrei can strengthen his case by turning his flashes of offense into a steadier two-way season.
A larger role could convince Boston to commit before arbitration becomes a factor.
But Lohrei’s age, contract control and offensive possibilities should preserve interest, as the approaching raise gives Boston less room to postpone its answer.
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