Top 3 Hampus Lindholm replacements: Who could take injured Bruins D-man spot?

Boston Bruins defenseman Hampus Lindholm sustained a lower-body injury while blocking a shot against the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday night.

Bruins coach Jim Montgomery confirmed that Hampus Lindholm will miss playing time, as he will be sidelined for weeks. As such, it’s worth taking a look at three players who could potentially take Lindholm’s lineup spot while he’s out with injury.

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Top three Hampus Lindholm replacements

#3 Max Jones

Jones started the season with the Bruins following training camp. However, he struggled, appearing in only four games before being sent down to the AHL’s Providence Bruins. But given the injuries to Hampus Lindholm and Andrew Peeke, Jones could get another shot this season.

The former first-round pick of the Anaheim Ducks in 2016 is a left-shot defenseman like Lindholm and could step into a third-pairing situation with Parker Wotherspoon. At 26, Jones has over 260 games of NHL experience, potentially giving the Bruins a solid option moving forward.

The Bruins signed Jones to a two-year $2 million contract this offseason. Thus, Jones could become a major part of the Bruins’ plans while Lindholm and Peeke are sidelined.

#2 Jordan Oesterle

Oesterle came over as a free-agent signing this past offseason. Last year, he played 22 games with the Calgary Flames, notching up two assists. The 32-year-old impressed at training camp but didn’t earn a full-time spot.

With Hampus Lindholm’s injury, Oesterle has an opportunity to prove that he belongs in the NHL. He’s a solid, stay-at-home defenseman. While he won’t turn heads with his play, Oesterle is a solid blueliner who can move the puck and provide toughness.

Oesterle should get into the third pairing alongside Wotherspoon, leaving one other blueliner as the likeliest candidate to take over for Lindholm.

#1. Mason Lohrei

Lohrei has been skating on the bottom pairing with Wotherspoon this season. In 13 games, Lohrei has scored a goal and three assists. He has been gradually improving to the point where Lohrei should move up from the bottom pairing to Lindhom’s second-pairing spot with Brandon Carlo.

The 23-year-old Lohrei has played in 54 career games, registering five goals and 17 points. Moving up to the second pairing should give the Bruins an opportunity to see what Lohrei could do in an expanded role.

This opportunity could become an audition for Lohrei as the Bruins’ blueliner looks to maintain a regular lineup spot for the foreseeable future. Lohrei was Boston’s second-round pick in 2020, selected 58th overall.