Boston Bruins
Bruins Coach Delivers Stern Message To Mason Lohrei: ‘He Should Be Pissed’
BOSTON — No player is ever happy being scratched from the starting lineup. Boston Bruins head coach Marco Sturm hopes that defenseman Mason Lohrei is more than displeased.
“He should be pissed. He should be very pissed,” Sturm said Saturday before the Bruins took on the Carolina Hurricanes at TD Garden. “He works very hard in practice. He’s ready, but he has to wait for his opportunity.”
Marco Sturm on Mason Lohrei:
"He should be pissed. He should be very pissed. He works very hard in practice. He's ready, but he has to wait for his opportunity. I think that's the goal, having him out and being a little bit different when he comes back. Watching from upstairs,…
— Andrew Fantucchio (@A_Fantucchio) November 1, 2025
After appearing in each of Boston’s first 11 games to start the year, Lohrei has spent the last three watching from the press box.
Defense has not been a strong suit of Lohrei’s early in his career. Last season, he notably finished with the worst plus/minus rating of any player in the league (-43). So far this year, Lohrei has an even rating, but that’s only because some of his routine defensive lapses haven’t ended up in the back of the Bruins’ net.
While the entire team has had to adjust to the new defensive structure introduced by Sturm this season, Lohrei appears to be having a harder time than most.
“I think that’s the goal, having him out and being a little bit different when he comes back,” said Sturm. “Watching from upstairs, watching other players, what they do well, what they do wrong, it’s a learning process for him right now.”
The recently called-up from AHL Providence Jonathan Aspirot has taken over Lohrei’s spot in the lineup for the time being. While he doesn’t provide nearly the amount of offensive upside as Lohrei, the Bruins can at least rely on Aspirot not to hurt them in their own end.
“He’s closing very quick,” Sturm said of Aspirot. “With the way we play in the D-zone, that’s huge for us. He’s had good sticks, is closing in really well, and has fit in right away to our group.”
Coming off a stretch in which they lost seven of eight games, the Bruins have won two straight without Lohrei in the lineup.
They’ll try to make it three against the Hurricanes.
David Palmer
November 1, 2025 at 2:00 pm
Hopefully, the end of #6 in a Bruins jersey. NEVER have I witnessed a player hurt the Bruins like 6 has and was GIVEN a pay raise more ice time. IMO #45 deserves the opportunity, from what I’ve seen so far from 45…hopefully a regular. Pray 27 stays healthy!
JohnnyM
November 1, 2025 at 5:14 pm
Yup, I’m with you 100%. I’d focus on him during his shifts and can’t recall a player being so afraid of contact while playing such a contact sport. He’s infuriating to watch and it sure appears Sturm feels the same way. Package this hump with Zacha. The days of soft players, and not soft as an opinion,guys who truly run from contact, unforseen immediately.
It’s NO coincidence the B’s have become a much more cohesive defensive unit, as well as all around, without Nohrei on the ice!
Therese Weiss
November 1, 2025 at 2:42 pm
I hope for a trade, too. Lohrei deserves better. Let the Bruins stick with their over paid, underperforming older guys- it’s worked so well for them. That and the coaching carousel that’s created such great confidence and chemistry. The Bruins lack the ability to develop young players- at least they are consistent there!
Rick W Murray
November 1, 2025 at 2:46 pm
After this season I’d bench the entire team and put in providence bruins instead so far this season they’ve been undefeated.
Bobby
November 3, 2025 at 10:01 am
I wouldn’t send Lohrie down to the P Bruins all he is going to do is take away from someone else playing that should be. Some players get the message being a healthy scratch,while others spiral down further not having any confidence in playing hockey and Lohrie is a product of just that.
Former NHL DMAN
November 2, 2025 at 10:50 am
He was a forward when he was younger. Maybe they should put him on the wing and see what he does. Jokiharju was horrible against the Hurricanes. The $9 million man Charlie McAvoy is minus 3 this season When is he going to sit out?