Bruins Need to Target 2 Key Prospects for the Blue Line and the Retool

The Boston Bruins need to forge an identity as the ongoing retool leaves us with some questions. The team was easily identifiable in the 2010s, as they had veterans who gave the team its identity. Those veterans have come and gone. Along the way, they’ve lost the snarl they once had, along with the offensive output.

The Bruins are a work in progress and are still evolving. The team is looking for a little bit of “piss and vinegar,” and one Chicago Blackhawks prospect could offer that, should he become available (from ‘Cam Neely reflects on Bruins being ‘tough out’ during 2025-26 season,’ Masslive.com, 05/07/2026). Another prospect of the Winnipeg Jets could offer a solution to a blueline that leaves much to be desired – the offensive side of the puck.

Two Prospects Who’d Bolster the Bruins Lineup

Ethan Del Mastro, Chicago Blackhawks

Since the Blackhawks have signed Ethan Del Mastro to a deal, the Bruins should keep tabs on the left-handed defenseman. He isn’t afraid to use his 6-foot-4, 210-pound frame to hammer opponents on the ice, adding 19 hits in 19 games for the Blackhawks this season. He recorded one point and had an average time on ice of 14:08.

While not counted on for his offensive talent, Del Mastro is a shutdown defenseman who can eat minutes and is projected to be a second-pair player by Dobbers Prospects.

A big-bodied two-way defenseman who can eat up a lot of minutes. He has been trusted to be placed in big game moments where he can shut down the opposing team’s offence. He has a great hockey IQ and the capabilities of being a second-pairing NHL defenseman.

Del Mastro’s three-year, $855K average entry-level contract has just expired, and if the Blackhawks extend him a qualifying offer, he could hit free agency.

The Athletic‘s Scott Powers believes that the pending restricted free agent (RFA) is the odd man out in the organization.

“It’ll be interesting to see what Davidson does here. I do think Del Mastro is likely the odd man out to start the season,” (from ‘The Blackhawks have tough decisions ahead on Kevin Korchinski and their young defense,’ The Athletic, 06/01/2026).

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Del Mastro has played a total of 45 games in the NHL, recording seven points (two goals, five assists), a minus-14, 24 penalty minutes, an average ice time of 16:33, and a 46.6 Corsi-for percentage. The 23-year-old defenseman is still a work in progress and could require more seasoning with the Providence Bruins.

Ville Heinola, Winnipeg Jets

Ville Heinola may be a pending unrestricted free agent (UFA), but he is a gold-medal winner. He’s part of the Finnish team that overcame the odds to defeat the Swiss team in their home country to win the World Championship. In ten games, he recorded six points (three goals, three assists), a plus-9, and one game-winning goal.

Heinola may not have caught the eyes of NHL general managers until after this tournament, as he’s been buried in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Manitoba Moose for the majority of his career.

Selected 20th overall in the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft, he’s played only 58 games during his NHL career, recording 12 points. Heinola brings some skills to the Bruins that are sorely needed in a top-four option per Dobbers Prospects.

An undersized offense-minded defenseman with top-four upside who can run a powerplay unit. An excellent skater, but needs to get stronger to improve in the defensive zone.

The Finnish defenseman’s two-year, $800K average annual value (AAV) contract expires at the end of the year, as a pending UFA (group six). A group-six UFA has to meet certain criteria to be classified as such.

Conclusion: The Solutions Are Out There

As the most cost-effective option, making a move for other teams’ unwanted prospects would save cap space, headaches, and the consideration of moving out other top talent. They’re not yet in reclamation territory. Not to mention, this is a low-risk, high-reward situation should they become future NHLers. General manager Don Sweeney only needs to make the effort now.