Don Sweeney Has Two Veterans He Wants to Keep Off the Free Agent Market

The Boston Bruins head into July 1 with only two unrestricted free agents on the roster. And general manager Don Sweeney is making it clear he’d rather sign both before they get a chance to test the open market.

According to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, the Bruins are in active contract talks with forward Viktor Arvidsson and defenseman Andrew Peeke. Both players are set to hit free agency in less than two weeks unless something gets done.

“Pending unrestricted free agent forward Viktor Arvidsson and defenceman Andrew Peeke are eligible to hit the open market in 12 days unless they agree to new contracts with Boston,” Pagnotta wrote. “The Bruins are having ongoing discussions with the camps for both players about extensions.”

Arvidsson is the bigger priority here. And it’s not hard to see why.

Arvidsson’s Bounce-Back Season Changed Everything

The 33-year-old winger put together a 2025-26 season that looked like a career reset. After dealing with injuries in Edmonton and Los Angeles, Arvidsson found his stride in Boston. He finished with 25 goals and 54 points in 69 games, plus a plus-20 rating. That’s production the Bruins were not necessarily counting on when they brought him in.

He quickly carved out a role in the top six, providing secondary scoring and veteran presence on a team that surprised people by making the playoffs after missing in 2024-25. Pagnotta noted that while the exact kind of deal Arvidsson wants is still unclear, his performance has made it obvious why Boston wants to hold onto him.

Peeke Is a Different Kind of Decision

Andrew Peeke is not going to light up the scoresheet. But that’s not his job. The 28-year-old defenseman put up five goals and 14 points in 77 games while serving as a steady, reliable option on the blue line. Nothing flashy. Just consistent minutes and stability.

He played last season on a contract with a $2.75 million cap hit. It wouldn’t be surprising if he’s looking for something similar on the open market. The Bruins have about $15 million in cap space to work with next season, which gives the front office some breathing room. That could make it easier to get both deals done, though nothing is guaranteed.

Free agency is coming fast. Boston is clearly trying to lock up both veterans before they get a chance to see what else is out there. Whether that actually happens remains to be seen. But for now, Sweeney and the front office are making calls and having conversations. That’s about all you can do this time of year.