The Boston Bruins suffered a harsh blow on Thursday (April 12), as longtime target Noah Hanifin inked an eight-year, $58.8 million contract extension with the Vegas Golden Knights. This officially ended any hopes of the Bruins signing the Massachusetts native this offseason, and now they will need to consider their options elsewhere.

Because of this, let’s discuss three defensemen who the Bruins could look at with Hanifin off the board now.

Jakob Chychrun, Ottawa Senators

Ottawa Senators defenseman Jakob Chychrun was a big name in the rumor mill leading up to the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline. The 26-year-old is likely to generate chatter again this offseason, as he is entering the final season of his contract in 2024-25, and he’s a player whom the Senators cannot run the risk of losing for nothing in free agency.

Chychrun has been on the Bruins’ radar in the past, and it wouldn’t be far-fetched if they kicked tires on him this summer. He would be a significant upgrade over pending UFA Matt Grzelcyk on the club’s top pairing and provide a big boost to both special-team units. However, it would cost the Bruins a lot to land him, which complicates things.

Brady Skjei, Carolina Hurricanes

If the Bruins want to go the free agency route, Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brady Skjei is a clear potential target. The 30-year-old is one of the Hurricanes’ several notable pending UFAs, and there’s certainly a possibility that he will hit the market on July 1. If he does, the Bruins would be wise to consider adding him.

Skjei is quietly having a big season for the Canes, posting 13 goals and a career-high 46 points in 79 games. During the 2022-23 season, he also had an impressive 18 goals in 81 games. The Minnesota native is a threat offensively from the point, but he is also quite dependable defensively. Due to this, he could be a big-time, two-way defenseman for the Bruins to add to their top four.

Nikita Zadorov, Vancouver Canucks

Nikita Zadorov is another pending UFA defenseman the Bruins should consider pursuing. While he does not possess the same offensive upside as Chychrun and Skjei, he would give the Bruins that mean, big-bodied defenseman their blue line has been lacking.

Zadorov, 28, is having a solid 2023-24 season, posting six goals, 19 points, 113 hits, and 98 penalty minutes. Overall, these are pretty solid numbers from the shutdown defenseman, but his biggest value has come from his reliable defensive play and immense physicality. Thus, Boston should have him on their radar if he hits the market.