3 Bruins Contract Extension Candidates To Watch

The Boston Bruins have multiple pending free agents heading into the 2025-26 season. Due to this, it is certainly possible that we could see them sign some of their players to contract extensions, whether that is during this summer or during the season.

Because of this, let's discuss contract extension candidates for the Bruins as we continue to inch closer to the 2025-26 campaign now. 

Bruins forward Matt Poitras is entering the final season of his entry-level contract, so he is officially eligible to sign a contract extension. With the 2022 second-round pick being only 21 years old, he is a pending restricted free agent (RFA). 

With Poitras being a young forward, the Bruins certainly could wait and see how he performs next season before rushing a contract extension with him. However, we have also seen promising young players around the league land extensions before breaking out, so it is fair to wonder if the Bruins could do something like that with Poitras. This is especially so when nothing that the Ajax, Ontario native is easily considered one of the Bruins' top prospects.

Poitras spent most of this past season in the AHL with the Providence Bruins, where he had 17 goals and 41 points in 40 games. He also recorded one goal, 10 assists, and 11 points in 33 games with Boston this past campaign. This was after he had five goals, 15 points, and a plus-4 rating in 33 games with the Bruins during the 2023-24 season. Overall, he has shown promise but is still looking to take that next step.

While Poitras has yet to emerge as a full-time NHL player for the Bruins, he undoubtedly has the potential to change that next season, and that very well could lead to him landing a contract extension before or during the 2025-26 campaign. Thus, he is certainly an interesting player to watch from here. 

Bruins defenseman Andrew Peeke will be in the last year of his current contract during the 2025-26 campaign. However, unlike Poitras, Peeke is a pending unrestricted free agent (UFA) heading into the new season. Thus, the possibility of him testing the market next off-season is certainly there. 

With the Bruins not having too many proven NHL-caliber right-shot defensemen on their roster, it is certainly fair to wonder if the Bruins could look to sign Peeke to a contract extension sooner rather than later. The 27-year-old defender has been a solid part of the Bruins' blueline since his arrival, as he has been steady defensively and has worked on their penalty kill. Because of this, it would be understandable if the Bruins ended up signing him to a contract extension this summer or during the season. This is especially so if they can find a way to keep him around at a reasonable price. 

Peeke appeared in 76 games this past season for the Bruins, where he posted one goal and set new career highs with 16 assists and 17 points. He also stood out when it came to his physical style of play, as he finished the season with 105 hits. Thus, he had his solid moments as a shutdown defenseman for the Bruins last season, and that could make the Bruins interested in keeping Peeke around beyond this season.

Overall, with Peeke being a big right-shot defenseman and right in his prime at 27 years old, there is an argument to be had to sign him to a contract extension. It will be fascinating to see if the Bruins ended up doing just that with the big blueliner from here. 

New Bruins forward Viktor Arvidsson is entering the final season of his two-year contract in 2025-26, so he is a pending UFA like Peeke. Thus, he is currently eligible for a contract extension, and it is fair to wonder if the Bruins could look to sign him to one because of it. 

The Bruins have certainly expressed excitement about Arvidsson's arrival, and it is easy to understand why. The veteran forward has shown throughout his career that he can be an effective offensive contributor, as he has five 20-goal seasons and two 30-goal seasons on his resume. With the Bruins needing more scoring on the wing, Arvidsson has the potential to be a very solid pickup for their roster. However, after posting 15 goals and 27 points in 67 games this past season with the Edmonton Oilers, he will need to bounce back to help his odds of landing a contract extension.

Overall, while the Bruins signing Arvidsson to a contract extension before the season is here seems a bit unlikely, that could change if he proves to be an immediate fit in the Bruins' lineup. He has the potential to become a nice part of the Bruins' roster when noting that he is a skilled offensive player with plenty of past success. Thus, he will certainly be a player to watch incredibly closely once the season is here.