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Boston Bruins must turn to Nikolaj Ehlers as top player’s exit creates a glaring gap

Originally posted on Bruins After Dark | By Jake Donovan | Last updated Jun 23, 2025 12:32 PM ET

The Boston Bruins are in the market for a skilled winger, and with Nikolaj Ehlers expected to test free agency, there’s growing belief Boston will be among the first to make a call.

With Marchand gone, Bruins may be ready to make a move

Brad Marchand is no longer a Bruin. That reality, while still fresh, has already forced Boston’s front office to think long and hard about what comes next.

Replacing a player like that? Nearly impossible. But building forward with the right kind of talent? That’s still on the table.

Nikolaj Ehlers, reportedly set to test the market on July 1, has been the subject of quiet speculation in league circles. At 29, he’s not a flashy headline name, but he’s quietly one of the more consistent offensive contributors in the NHL. And for a Bruins team with a clear hole on the left side, the fit makes a lot of sense.

Nikolaj Ehlers offers exactly what Boston needs: pace, production, and polish

Last season in Winnipeg, Ehlers delivered 24 goals and 39 assists across 69 games. That’s 63 points on a team that didn’t exactly light it up offensively. Add in a +14 rating, and the numbers back up what you see on tape: a reliable, efficient forward who doesn’t cheat his shifts.

Dig a bit deeper, and it gets more impressive. Since entering the league as a first-round pick in 2014, Ehlers has scored 21 or more goals in eight of his 10 seasons. He’s also eclipsed the 60-point mark four times. It’s rare for a player that consistent to become available, let alone one that still has several good years ahead.

Where he fits in Boston’s lineup is obvious

Boston’s second line has been in need of an identity since Marchand was moved.

Ehlers could slide in there without missing a beat. His speed in transition and his ability to carry the puck through the neutral zone are things the Bruins could really use more of.

He also brings value on the power play. Ehlers sees the ice well, isn’t afraid to make plays in tight spaces, and has the shot to beat goalies from range. Boston’s special teams sputtered at times last year—he’s the type of player who could help fix that.

This is Don Sweeney’s chance to retool, not rebuild

With Charlie McAvoy, David Pastrnak, and Jeremy Swayman still leading the charge, Boston’s window isn’t closed. But without reinforcements, it will start to tighten.

Sweeney doesn’t need to chase a blockbuster this summer. He needs a smart fit, someone who elevates the group without blowing up the system. Ehlers could be that guy.

So if he becomes available on July 1, don’t be surprised if the Bruins are waiting on the other end of the phone.

This article first appeared on Bruins after dark and was syndicated with permission.

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