Henri Jokiharju remains on the trade block as the Boston Bruins and head coach Marco Sturm deal with a crowded blue line.
The Bruins are still trying to find a new home for the defenseman after Jokiharju cleared waivers without being claimed.
Elliotte Friedman confirmed Boston's position in his season-opening 32 Thoughts column for Sportsnet.
"Boston is trying to find a new home for Henri Jokiharju, who cleared waivers," Friedman wrote.
Boston simply ran out of room on defense. William Borgen and Connor Clifton arrived on July 1, adding more competition for jobs.
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Once Charlie McAvoy returns from his six-game suspension, Boston's blue line also includes Hampus Lindholm, Nikita Zadorov and Mason Lohrei, while Jonathan Aspirot and Frederic Brunet are pushing for opportunities.
Jokiharju squeezed out of Boston's plans
Jokiharju is entering the second season of a three-year, $9 million contract carrying a $3 million cap hit. Buffalo traded him to Boston in 2025 for a fourth-round pick.
He produced 15 points in 42 games for the Bruins last season, but his preseason didn't give Boston enough reason to keep him ahead of its other options.
Clearing waivers also creates a difficult trade situation. Every NHL club recently had an opportunity to claim Jokiharju without sending an asset back to Boston.
Friedman identified another Bruins player worth monitoring as the roster picture develops: Matthew Poitras.
"There are teams curious to see what they do with Matthew Poitras, who avoided them for the time being. Can't imagine he'd slide through," Friedman wrote.
Poitras, 22, is currently listed as injured non-roster because of a lower-body issue, keeping Boston from having to make an immediate call on his place.
For Jokiharju, the direction is much clearer. Boston is working to find another destination, and his contract gives potential trade partners another factor to weigh.
The Bruins have numbers on the blue line and Jokiharju doesn't currently have a spot. After waivers produced no takers, the next move rests with Boston's front office.
Will the Bruins find a trade partner for Henri Jokiharju?
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