Jordan Oesterle Claimed by Nashville Predators After Scoring First Goal as a Bruin

Just two days after scoring his first goal in a Boston Bruins uniform, defenseman Jordan Oesterle is headed to a new team. The 32-year-old veteran was claimed off waivers by the Nashville Predators on Thursday afternoon, as first reported by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.

Oesterle had signed a two-year contract with the Bruins this past offseason as an unrestricted free agent. In his brief stint with Boston, he appeared in 22 games and recorded six points, including one goal and five assists. That lone goal, scored Tuesday night at TD Garden in a matchup against the very team that would claim him—the Predators—now serves as both a highlight and a send-off moment.

The Bruins placed Oesterle on waivers Wednesday in a series of roster moves intended to reshape their blue line amid mounting injuries. Had he cleared, he would have reported to AHL Providence. Instead, he heads to Nashville, where he’s expected to receive increased playing time following the Predators’ trade of veteran defenseman Luke Schenn to the Pittsburgh Penguins earlier this week.

For Nashville, Oesterle brings depth, experience, and a steady presence on the back end. With over 350 NHL games under his belt, he’s a reliable option for a Predators team looking to stabilize its defense amid a challenging stretch of the season.

The Bruins, meanwhile, continue to battle significant injury concerns. Star defenseman Hampus Lindholm has been sidelined since mid-November and is expected to miss the remainder of the season due to a lower-body injury. Charlie McAvoy, the cornerstone of Boston’s defense, remains out indefinitely following recent shoulder surgery to treat an infection. He is considered week-to-week, with no clear return date.

In their absence, Boston has leaned heavily on Nikita Zadorov, Brandon Carlo, Andrew Peeke, and rookie Mason Lohrei. While each has contributed in key moments, the overall stability of the Bruins’ blue line remains in flux.

As the NHL trade deadline looms on Friday at 3 p.m. EST, Oesterle’s departure could prompt Bruins general manager Don Sweeney to seek reinforcements. With Boston in the thick of a playoff race, bolstering the defense may now become an even higher priority.

The Bruins are set to face the Carolina Hurricanes tonight at Lenovo Center, with puck drop scheduled for 7 p.m. EST.