One of the Boston Bruins [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/boston-bruins]' top needs is another right-shot defenseman. Because of this, they were viewed as one of the potential suitors for Michael Kesselring. However, the idea of the Bruins bringing in Kesselring can now be forgotten. The Buffalo Sabres have traded Kesselring and the 27th overall pick of this year's NHL Entry Draft to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for this year's 20th overall pick. Kesselring would have had the potential to be a good defenseman for the Bruins to add to their blueline. The 6-foot-5 right-shot blueliner has shown in the past that he can be a solid top-four defenseman, and now he will be looking to bounce back after getting this fresh start with the Sharks. Kesselring had two assists in 34 games this season with the Sabres. While he had a down year in 2025-26, he set career highs with seven goals, 22 assists, and 29 points in 82 games for Utah in 2024-25. This is after he had five goals and 21 points in 65 games during the 2023-24 campaign with the Arizona Coyotes. With past numbers like these, the 26-year-old defenseman could have been an interesting defenseman for the Bruins to take a chance on. Alas, the Bruins will now need to explore their options elsewhere with Kesselring being traded. This year's top right-shot defenseman pending UFAs are Darren Raddysh, Rasmus Andersson, John Carlson, and Jacob Trouba. Top trade candidates include Simon Nemec, Braden Schneider, Filip Hronek, and Jordan Spence.
