In a span of 48 hours, multiple top-four, right-shot defensemen available on the market are no longer there. First, the San Jose Sharks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/san-jose-sharks] pounced and acquired Michael Kesselring, and moved down seven spots in the first round to do so (pick 20 to 27). Then, overnight, the Toronto Maple Leafs [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs] executed a sign-and-trade with the Tampa Bay Lightning [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/tampa-bay-lightning] in exchange for Darren Raddysh [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/tampa-bay-lightning/latest-news/report-maple-leafs-working-on-sign-and-trade-for-lightning-defenseman-darren-raddysh], sending just a fifth-round pick to Tampa. Raddysh immediately signed an eight-year, $68 million contract, which holds an $8.5 million cap hit through 2034. Raddysh, 30, was set to become the top UFA defenseman on the board on July 1, but this moves takes away a massive target for the Boston Bruins [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/boston-bruins], as he heads to a divisional rival instead. This only ramps up the pressure on the Bruins and General Manager Don Sweeney. The Bruins simply need a top-four, right-shot defenseman this summer in order to maintain their standing within the Atlantic Division. The Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers] are unlikely to finish in the bottom 10 of the NHL for a second-straight season. Raddysh and Kesselring represented two potential solutions. Now, the top three defensemen slated to hit UFA status on July 1 are Rasmus Andersson, John Carlson, and Jacob Trouba. The Bruins could consider Radko Gudas as well, if he makes it to the open market. Of those, only Andersson fits as a potential long-term solution, with age a serious consideration with the other three. Andersson had a very shaky postseason, which might spook some teams off the Swedish defenseman. The Bruins still need to land a top-line center, a position of great need. The best way to find one of those this year is through the trade market, or hope one of James Hagens or Fraser Minten takes a massive leap over the summer. The NHL Draft is in one week. Free Agency opens in 12 days. Very quickly, it's becoming time for the Bruins to go all-in.
