Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Boston Bruins Veteran Defenseman to Miss Time Again

Originally posted on Inside The Rink | By Matt Barry | Last updated Jan 6, 2026 11:07 AM ET

The Boston Bruins are currently tied for 13th in points percentage in the Eastern Conference as they vie to return to the NHL Playoffs after a one-year hiatus. Boston has a 15-game stretch ahead of it before the Olympic break begins, and points are at a premium. However, the Bruins will have to try to win games without one of their top defenseman.

Boston won their last game in Vancouver in overtime, 3-2 over the Canucks, and defenseman Hampus Lindholm made a big defensive play late in overtime. But the veteran blueliner is headed to the sidelines once again after missing the beginning of the season due to postseason surgery on a fractured kneecap.

Bruins’ Head Coach Marco Sturm revealed the news on Monday afternoon in Seattle that Lindholm would be out of the lineup, telling reporters on site that the injury is “not going to be a day-to-day thing.”

Hampus Lindholm has been a key cog on the back end for Boston after being acquired from Anaheim almost four years ago. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound defenseman has registered 19 goals and 86 assists in 214 regular season games with the Bruins and has contributed three goals and 11 assists this season in 34 games.

The Bruins are already thin on the blue line and are without Jordan Harris and Henri Jokiharju. Boston has struggled defensively this season, and losing Lindholm leaves a void as he plays key roles on both special teams, quarterbacking the second power play unit, and is an important penalty killer.

Sturm did not provide a timeline for Lindholm, but did say that it would not be particularly short-term.

“I think it’s hopefully not too long,” Sturm said. “But, he’s definitely going to be out for a little bit.”

The Bruins play seven games in the next 12 days and need to secure more points to stay in the playoff race. Boston has one more game on a five-game road trip and then plays five home games.

There was good news today as Jokiharju and rugged forward Tanner Jeannot are both set to return to action Tuesday night against the Seattle Kraken.

Jokiharju has been out since November 28, missing the last 16 games. Jokiharju could slot in back on his third pair spot, skating with either Mason Lohrei or Jonathan Aspirot, with Andrew Peeke skating with the other.

Jeannot has missed the last four games, all on the road, after suffering an injury on December 23 against the Montreal Canadiens. He could re-enter the lineup on the third line again, centered by Fraser Minten.

The 31-year-old Lindholm still has four years left on his current contract with a salary cap hit of $6.5 million. Boston has Nikita Zadorov and Lohrei on the left side of the defense. If Lindholm is out for any significant length of time, General Manager Don Sweeney could look to add some back-end help at the trade deadline. Lindholm was not selected for Team Sweden for the 2026 Olympics in Milan, Italy, which begins in early February.

https://feeds.simplecast.com/YwqJfYrz

This article first appeared on Inside The Rink and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: