Henri Jokiharju enters the season under pressure as Marco Sturm sorts through a crowded Boston Bruins blue line.
He isn't the only player on the verge of being dealt by the Bruins, as reporter
Scott Roche of Causewaycrowd has named five players at risk of being dealt this season.
Boston's Opening Night roster won't necessarily resemble the group that finishes the season. If the Bruins struggle, general manager Don Sweeney has several movable pieces.
Jokiharju stands at the front of that conversation. Elliotte Friedman reported that Boston was trying to move the defenseman after he cleared waivers.
His situation became even harder to ignore when he failed to crack the Opening Night roster despite Charlie McAvoy being unavailable. Boston simply has plenty of options on defense.
Pavel Zacha is another name worth watching. Trade speculation has followed him for more than a season, even as Boston continues using him in an important top-six role.
Zacha opened the season centering Morgan Geekie and Casey Mittelstadt. Sweeney has expressed interest in extending him, but an unsigned Zacha could create a major deadline decision.
Boston has decisions coming across the roster
Mittelstadt also carries trade potential. He produced in a second-line role last season, but Boston could eventually decide that moving the veteran forward creates more flexibility.
Mikey Eyssimont's roster spot could become another pressure point. He made the team after a strong camp while Matthew Poitras opened the season on injured reserve.
Once Poitras returns, Boston may need another roster move. Eyssimont's waiver situation could make a trade more attractive than risking losing him for nothing.
Then there's Mason Lohrei. The defenseman has already surfaced in trade discussions, including a reported deal involving Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson that never materialized.
Lohrei could carry value again if Sweeney goes shopping for an upgrade. Unlike some names on this list, his inclusion in a deal could be about acquiring help rather than simply clearing a roster spot.
Boston's direction will dictate everything. A strong season could keep much of the roster intact, while a difficult first half would give Sweeney reasons to listen.
Jokiharju's situation is the most immediate. But Zacha, Mittelstadt, Eyssimont and Lohrei give the Bruins several different paths if the front office decides changes are needed.
Should the Boston Bruins trade Henri Jokiharju this season?
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