Bruins make defenseman swap ahead of trade deadline
The Boston Bruins are making a hockey trade just ahead of the deadline.
As first reported by Elliotte Friedman, the Bruins are acquiring defenseman Andrew Peeke from the Columbus Blue Jackets. TSN’s Bob McKenzie later added that the trade is actually a swap of blue liners, with 2015 first-round pick Jakub Zboril headed to Columbus. The team later announced that the trade also includes a 2027 third-round pick.
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Some pertinent stats on Peeke, via Ty Anderson: Among 325 players with at least 3,000 minutes on-ice over the past three seasons, Peeke is sixth in blocked shots per 60 minutes (6.03) and 35th in hits per 60 minutes (6.43). So, he would qualify as a replacement for Derek Forbort as a shot-blocking specialist, except as a right-shot defenseman.
![COLUMBUS, OHIO - MARCH 11: Andrew Peeke #2 of the Columbus Blue Jackets waits for play to beginduring the third period against the St. Louis Blues at Nationwide Arena on March 11, 2023 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images)](https://985thesportshub.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/88/2024/03/Andrew-Peeke-Blue-Jackets-2.jpg)
COLUMBUS, OHIO – MARCH 11: Andrew Peeke #2 of the Columbus Blue Jackets waits for play to beginduring the third period against the St. Louis Blues at Nationwide Arena on March 11, 2023 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images)
Standing at 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds, Peeke will add some much-needed size and physicality to the Bruins’ back end. He’s also under contract through the 2025-26 season at $2.75 million and turns 26 years old on March 17. So, with this addition, the Bruins are hoping to solidify the entire right side of their defense.
The move marks the second trade of the day for the Bruins. They also acquired winger Pat Maroon from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for forward Luke Toporowski and a conditional sixth-round pick in the 2025 draft.
According to Chris Johnston, the Bruins are taking on Peeke’s entire salary, so they will need to move money out before the deadline.
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