Bruins acquire key piece in Peterka, add veteran defensemen Borgen, Clifton

The Boston Bruins made several offseason moves ahead of the 2026-27 NHL season, most notably acquiring forward JJ Peterka, 24, from the Utah Mammoth on June 26 in exchange for the No. 23 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft and a conditional 2028 first-round pick; Peterka recorded 47 points in 82 games last season. The Bruins also added veteran defenseman Will Borgen, 29, from the New York Rangers on July 1 for a 2027 second-round pick and a conditional 2028 third-round pick, while 31-year-old defenseman Connor Clifton signed a two-year deal to return to Boston, where he last played in 2022-23. These moves follow the Bruins' 2025-26 campaign in which they went 45-27-10, finishing fourth in the Atlantic Division before exiting in the Eastern Conference First Round.