The spark is a report tied to Elliotte Friedman's latest Andersson chatter, with the belief Boston's offer included Lohrei and a first-round pick, and possibly more.

Boston's pursuit made sense on the ice, because Andersson is a true minute eater, and he would have fit behind Charlie McAvoy. It ended when Andersson would not sign an extension before the trade, and Sweeney walking away was the right call.

Calgary eventually sent Andersson to Vegas anyway, without an extension in place, and the Flames still got Zach Whitecloud, Abram Wiebe, a first-round pick, and a conditional first.

What jumps out is what Boston was willing to risk. When a young defenseman like Lohrei becomes a centerpiece, it tells the league he is not untouchable, even if the Bruins still like him.

Boston Bruins may be ready to move Mason Lohrei

As a Bruins fan, it's a weird feeling, because you can see the talent and still understand why the front office might sell.

Lohrei is 25, he's 6-foot-5, and Boston drafted him 58th overall in 2020, so the upside has never been the question. The question is whether the Bruins want him growing in Boston or paying for help right now.

Last season shows why other teams would bite. Lohrei put up 33 points in 77 games, even while finishing at minus-43 on a Bruins team that struggled all season long.

He is also signed at a manageable $3.2 million cap hit through 2026-27, which makes him a clean roster fit for clubs trying to get younger without getting cheaper. That contract value alone makes him a prime target.

None of this guarantees he's gone, but the Andersson offer talk is a flashing sign that Boston will listen. If the right package shows up before the deadline, Lohrei might be the piece that funds the Bruins' next push.