Dans Locmelis – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2026 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #20 Boston Bruins – Organization Overview – Top 15 Prospects

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 18:00:26 +0000

ROCHESTER, NY - APRIL 04: Providence Bruins forward James Hagens (12) skates during the first period of the AHL game between the Providence Bruins and Rochester Americans on April 4, 2026, at Blue Cross Arena in Rochester, NY. (Photo by Jerome Davis/Icon Sportswire)

Prospect System Ranking – 20th (Last Year - 21st)
GM: Don Sweeney Hired: May 2015
COACH: Marco Sturm Hired: June 2025

When it comes to the Boston Bruins’ prospect pipeline, the theme seems to have been quality over quantity. For two consecutive drafts, the organization has added a player who projects as a potential difference-maker with their first-round selections.

The first was Dean Letourneau (96th) in 2024, who has emerged as a standout for Boston College following a somewhat challenging freshman campaign. Now producing at over a point-per-game pace, the 6-foot-7, 229-pound forward brings a rare combination of size and skill that makes him somewhat of an intriguing unicorn. Boston followed that up in 2025 by selecting Letourneau’s Boston College teammate, James Hagens (17th). The dynamic forward has continued to impress, producing well above a point-per-game pace across his first two NCAA seasons. Given his rapid development, there is a realistic scenario in which he could make his NHL debut in Boston as early as this spring. Over in North Dakota, William Zellers (155th) — acquired via trade from the Colorado Avalanche — is quietly building a strong résumé and continues to trend upward within the Bruins’ system. At the professional level, Fabian Lysell has continued to post solid offensive numbers with the AHL’s Providence Bruins, though the talented winger has yet to receive an extended opportunity to establish himself at the NHL level.

Looking ahead, Boston is well-positioned to further strengthen its pipeline. The Bruins currently hold four first-round selections over the next two drafts, which should provide opportunities to add high-end talent to the system.

NHL	RNK	PLAYER	POS	AGE	HT/WT	2024-25 TM	GP	G(W)	A(L)	PTS(GAA)	PIM(SPCT)
Bos	1	James Hagens	C	19	5-11/195	Boston College (NCAA)	34	23	24	47	24
Bos	1	James Hagens	C	19	5-11/195	Providence (AHL)	6	1	3	4	2
Bos	1	James Hagens	C	19	5-11/195	Boston (NHL)	2	0	1	1	2
Bos	2	Dean Letourneau	C	20	6-7/215	Boston College (NCAA)	36	22	17	39	22
Bos	3	William Zellers	LW	20	6-0/180	North Dakota (NCAA)	38	18	16	34	29
Bos	4	Fabian Lysell	RW	23	5-11/180	Providence (AHL)	57	17	25	42	51
Bos	5	Will Moore	C	19	6-3/180	Boston College (NCAA)	33	4	6	10	0
Bos	6	Dans Locmelis	C	22	6-0/170	Providence (AHL)	43	15	13	28	6
Bos	7	Elliott Groenewold	D	20	6-2/205	Quinnipiac (NCAA)	40	7	13	20	22
Bos	8	Chris Pelosi	C	21	6-2/185	Quinnipiac (NCAA)	35	18	16	34	12
Bos	9	Frederic Brunet	D	22	6-3/196	Providence (AHL)	65	12	24	36	30
Bos	10	Vashek Blanar	D	19	6-4/185	HV 71 (Swe J20)	30	5	10	15	57
Bos	10	Vashek Blanar	D	19	6-4/185	HV 71 (SHL)	3	0	0	0	0
Bos	11	Cooper Simpson	LW	19	6-1/180	Youngstown (USHL)	61	34	40	74	68
Bos	12	Simon Zajicek	G	24	6-2/185	Providence (AHL)	21	14	6	2.44	0.915
Bos	13	Philip Svedeback	G	24	6-3/191	Providence (NCAA)	18	8	6	2.32	0.918
Bos	14	Jonathan Morello	C	19	6-1/175	Boston University (NCAA)	36	6	7	13	18
Bos	15	Ryan Walsh	C	22	6-1/185	Cornell (NCAA)	33	10	23	33	33

James Hagens, C, Boston College (NCAA) (Currently with Providence Bruins, AHL)

This season, Hagens has really unlocked another level. His goal-scoring prowess has come alive, recording 23 goals on the year. He has been the main driver of BC's offence this season, creating chances for himself and his linemates and elevating the play of many around him. Hagens is now in the NHL, showing excellent speed in all three zones that has helped him dominate the Hockey East since coming back from the World Juniors, tallying 29 points in the 18 games he's played in the second half. Hagens gave Bruins fans a taste of what he can achieve at TD Garden during the Beanpot, taking home MVP with five points and two goals in two games. Boston College’s recent surge in the NCAA rankings is due to many factors, but the biggest factor has been the play of its first line center. Hagens is really setting himself up to slot into the Bruins’ top six next season, one that notably needs help at center. Really the only thing holding him back is the need to continue to add strength to withstand the rigors of the pro game at his size.
Dean Letourneau, C, Boston College (NCAA)

Sometimes players just take longer to develop. Letourneau was drafted as a long-term project, so perhaps it should have come as no surprise that he struggled as a freshman at BC. However, Dean Letourneau has proved the entire hockey world wrong with his play this season. He has become the other focal point of the BC offence, scoring 23 goals this season and chugging away at above a point-per-game. The biggest changes in his game this year have been the utilization of his size, his skating, and his IQ around the net. Letourneau is shaping up to be a very dangerous middle six center, which Boston has a habit of getting the most out of at the NHL level. Though he has made excellent strides, he may need an extra year in Chestnut Hill before he is truly ready to slot into the Bruins' lineup. The Bruins would be wise to be very patient with his development, allowing him to continue to build confidence at the NCAA level.
William Zellers, LW, University of North Dakota (NCAA)

Zellers has done nothing but shine everywhere he’s gone since being drafted in the third round in 2024. His incredible season with Green Bay last year was impressive, but his immediate impact in the lineup for North Dakota this year has been even more exciting. Though he has cooled off from his pace in the first half of this year, Zellers has shown excellent goal-scoring prowess at the NCAA level in just his freshman year. The World Juniors was a perfect example of how useful he can be in a lineup as a spark plug. Acquired from the Colorado Avalanche in the Charlie Coyle deal, Zellers’ motor makes him so annoying to defend against in the neutral and offensive zones. He finds open space so well and creates so many dangerous chances with that space. He will feature prominently in the middle six for Boston in the future and should definitely be on watch to explode in points during the playoffs. One would guess that Boston allows him to return to North Dakota for his sophomore season in hopes that he can develop into one of the more prolific scorers in the NCAA.
Fabian Lysell, RW, Providence Bruins (AHL)

Lysell is coming up on his fourth full season with Providence in the AHL. In that time, the 2021 first-round pick has only been called up to play NHL games once, a 12-game stint at the end of last season. He’s had some up and down seasons from a point scoring perspective, with this season being an up year on the back of a near 20% shooting percentage. He’s still the player who loves carrying the puck with speed through the neutral zone and going at defenders. He has the hands to match and if defenders don’t close their gap quickly, he has a powerful shot that can beat netminders from a distance. Defensively, he is passable, and for a speedy offensive sniper, that’s all you can really ask for. With the Bruins occupying the last playoff spot in the East, Lysell might not get the games he did at the end of last season. He’s a pending RFA and could look to go elsewhere if presented with the opportunity. Whether in Boston or somewhere else, Lysell projects as a middle six winger.
William Moore, C, Boston College (NCAA)

In a lot of ways, one could draw parallels between Moore's and the aformentioned Letourneau's freshman seasons. Moore has shown some promise in a development year at Boston College, but he has not received significant minutes and has not particularly shone with the 13-17 minutes a night he’s been getting. The usage of his size has definitely been better in his freshman year, as he has shown more determination along the boards than last season with the NTDP. One of the biggest issues this year has been a lack of pace and urgency in his game. Moore has not been involved in driving play in the neutral and offensive zones, though he showed flashes when some of his teammates were at the World Juniors. He has shown some solid offensive moments in the offensive zones, but they have not been plentiful in his first year. Moore will most likely stay at BC for at least the next two seasons. There is still a long development path ahead of him before he makes the jump to the NHL with Boston.
Dans Locmelis, C, Providence Bruins (AHL)

In his rookie season, Dans Locmelis has done a little bit of everything for Providence. He’s played on the wing, down the middle, on the power play, and on the penalty kill. He’s been thrown out in every situation and done very well. He is Providence’s Latvian Swiss army knife. Locmelis has 28 points through 43 games with 15 goals and 13 assists. He’s definitely a more shot-heavy player, but he can dish it as well. Locmelis’ game is very projectable to the NHL level. He has no problem using his size to throw his weight around or being aggressive on the forecheck. Although Locmelis has been thrown onto the wing to help Matthew Poitras get going at times, his more natural fit is down the middle. With a responsible two-way game, he pretty safely projects as a bottom six forward for Boston. There isn’t a lot of talent in the Bruins’ pipeline blocking his way, but the organization seems more likely to keep him in Providence for a little while longer.
Elliott Groenewold, D, Quinnipiac University (NCAA)

Groenewold has been making strides with Quinnipiac in his sophomore season, showing just how diverse his skillset is. His skating chops, compared with his 6-foot-4 frame, give him a reach and mobility that have made him quite adept at defending the rush. However, Groenewold tends to be a bit of a “wild man” in every zone. Great aggression, however, he will often bite at the worst times, showing that he still has much rounding out to do in his game. Offensively, he has shown steady improvement from last season. Nearly eclipsing 20 points this season, he has become somewhat of a driver in the neutral zone, showing solid transition potential. His shot is not all-powerful yet, and he hasn’t been the most accurate passer in the offensive zone, but the flashes are all there. Groenewold will be an impact two-way defenceman in the transfer portal this offseason, should he decide to leave Quinnipiac. As for his NHL upside, he shows some shut-down potential on a third pairing, but he will need to keep improving at this current pace to get to where he needs to be.
Chris Pelosi, C, Quinnipiac University (NCAA)

Killer instinct is the name of the game for Pelosi. He has been a presence in front of the net ever since his days in the USHL. In his sophomore season at Quinnipiac, he has been one of three forwards to score at a point-per-game pace. Pelosi is an incredibly annoying forward, heavy on the forecheck, physical in the defensive zone, always competing hard in puck battles. Where he is lacking in skate speed in both offensive and defensive zones, he makes up for it in IQ and positioning. Pelosi will often find himself in the right spot at the right time to bury a chance or block a shot. Given his strong performance and development this season, there's certainly a chance that the Bruins opt to sign him, hoping his aggressiveness makes him ready for a spot in the AHL, and potentially as a bottom six energy guy for their long-term future. The key for Pelosi is to continue to improve his skating so that the adjustment to the pace of the pro level is not too overwhelming.
Frederic Brunet, D, Providence Bruins (AHL)

Every year, Frederic Brunet has gotten better and better, and in his third AHL season, his work has culminated in a selection to the AHL All-Star team. In 65 games this season with Providence, Brunet racked up 36 points. What have been flashes of offence in the past have shown up consistently this year. He’s getting more pucks through traffic and on net. He’s constantly breaking the puck out either with long stretch passes or ridiculous solo efforts going blue line to blue line. Not just for a guy his size, but for anybody, Brunet is fast and doesn’t take long to get going. There aren’t many puck races he doesn’t win. He’s extremely solid defensively. Brunet positions himself well, and his decision-making doesn’t crack under pressure. He is doing so many things and all of those things at a very high level. With his talent in every zone, Brunet will surprise a lot of people once he sees some consistent time in the NHL. Boston isn’t short defensively, especially for lefties, but Brunet has legit top four potential.
Vashek Blanár, D, HV71 (SHL)

Blanár has gone from way-off-the-board draft pick that nobody knew to top 10 prospect in the Bruins system. The raw, toolsy LHD made the move to HV71’s U20 Nationell team and has been playing tons of minutes in all situations. He was even selected to Czechia’s WJC squad, although he didn’t play a single game. The upside is palpable with Blanár. He’s got a huge frame and moves very well for his size. His puck skills and playmaking have been on full display at the offensive blueline, where he routinely activates and makes cuts towards the net. Blanár’s quite offensively inclined, but he can take a few too many positional liberties and allow odd man rushes the other way. He’s fearless and energetic in his own zone, but his rush defence needs work. He lets puck carriers take the zone too easily and struggles to manage his gaps effectively. The developmental trajectory has been good so far, but the next step for Blanár is to continue to learn and grow at the pro level. It will take a few years, and a lot has to go right, but Blanár has an outside chance to become a bottom four, two-way defenceman who can kill penalties and even chip in on the power play in a pinch
Cooper Simpson, LW, Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)

A highly skilled winger, Simpson elected to play a full year in the USHL rather than head to college and that decision looks like a good one. He’s been dominant offensively at that level and oozes offensive upside moving forward.
Simon Zajicek, G, Providence Bruins (AHL)

Zajicek was a free agent signing out of Czechia this past offseason and he’s been terrific for Providence, splitting time with Michael Dipietro. Could be a diamond in the rough for the Bruins.
Philip Svedeback, G, Providence College (NCAA)

In the midst of another strong year for Providence, Svedeback suffered a leg injury that is threatening to cut his senior season short. Look for the Bruins to sign him when Providence’s season is complete.
Jonathan Morello, C, Boston University (NCAA)

A strong skater and two-way player, the Bruins aren’t quite sure what they have in Morello yet. His freshman season with Boston University has seen him settle into a depth role. A longer-term project still.
Ryan Walsh, C, Cornell University (NCAA)

An offensive leader for the Big Red since he entered the NCAA a few years ago, Walsh is a hardworking, intelligent winger. He profiles as a potential bottom six piece for the Bruins in the future.

AHL: EASTERN CONFERENCE – Top 10 First Year Players to Date

Aidan Carlson — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 14:35:09 +0000

SUNRISE, FL - DECEMBER 02: Florida Panthers right wing Jack Devine (38) looks on in the first period during a NHL game between the Maple Leafs and the Florida Panthers on December 02, 2025 at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, FL.(Photo by Chris Arjoon/Icon Sportswire)

Jack Devine, Florida Panthers

If you missed last season’s Calder Cup playoffs, Jack Devine’s surge to the top of AHL scoring this season may be surprising, but in reality, it isn’t. Despite only playing three regular-season games, Devine scored five points in seven during Charlotte’s run to Calder Cup runner-ups. Now, in his first season of professional hockey, Devine has kept up the pace with 12 points in his first 13 games. Although the point totals are impressive, it’s his detailed defensive game that sticks out the most to me. He’s exceptional with his stick and is a proactive defender, often dropping low in the slot to help when he’s the offside wing. It’s not a surprise that Devine was Florida’s call-up after their string of injuries. He should bounce between Florida and Charlotte as long as Florida can’t stay healthy, with more games played for the Checkers.

CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 18: Lehigh Valley Phantoms forward Alex Bump (21) attempts to shoot as Cleveland Monsters defenseman Corson Ceulemans (4) defends during the third period of the American Hockey League game between the Lehigh Valley Phantoms and Cleveland Monsters on October 18, 2025, at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire)

Alex Bump, Lehigh Valley Phantoms

Leading the way for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms this year has been left wing Alex Bump. Bump inked an ELC with the Flyers this offseason after two point-per-game seasons with Western Michigan. He’s scored 13 points in 16 games so far in 2025 and isn’t showing signs of slowing down as Lehigh contends in a strong Atlantic Division. Through almost the first quarter of the season, Bump has consistently flashed his playmaking abilities. He’ll dangle around a defender and then make a creative pass to a teammate. There’s not much defenders can do to defend the pass; he’ll find someone’s tape passing behind his back if he needs to. Leave him open, and he’ll quickly roof the puck. It’s going to be a crowded wing room in Philadelphia next year, and Bump is certainly making his case to be with the main squad.

Denver Barkey, Lehigh Valley Phantoms

No one has found instant chemistry with Alex Bump like fellow rookie Denver Barkey has. The two have combined for 24 points in the first 16 games with Barkey centering Bump. Despite a smaller stature, especially for a center, Barkey has stood up to the challenge and excelled. Like a Steely Dan song, Barkey isn’t afraid to do Bump’s dirty work. Barkey goes full speed into the mix of things and sets up Bump well, who currently leads the league in shots on goal. Despite high point totals with the London Knights in the OHL, because of Barkey’s size and the Knights’ system, his projection to pro hockey was uncertain. In his first handful of AHL games, Barkey has largely put to rest these concerns as one of the league’s top rookies.

Andrew Cristall, Hershey Bears

After torching the WHL in recent seasons, Cristall’s offensive abilities have continued to be evident as his level of competition has increased. As a rookie with the Hershey Bears this season, Cristall has 11 points in his first 16 games. He and right-wing Brett Leason continue to work well off each other in the early part of the season. Cristall’s strength of being a dynamic playmaker has shown through with his eight assists. While his offense has needed less of an adjustment to pro hockey, his defense is still a work in progress. It’s not a surprise for a young winger not to be the best defensively, but Cristall looks engaged in his own end. While his offense comes naturally, the Capitals organization will be looking to see how he improves in his own zone the rest of the year in the AHL.

Gabe Perreault, Hartford Wolf Pack

Through his first 12 games in the AHL, Perreault has shown that he has a nose for the net. He’s averaging 0.5 goals a game right now, which would undoubtedly put him among the top rookie goal scorers if he plays a majority of the year with Hartford and his pace sustains. Even with the obvious skating issues, it’s encouraging that Perreault is still able to amass points. Not being a great skater can kill your chances of making the NHL, which is likely a large reason Perreault hasn’t seen extended looks with the Rangers up to this point. It practically makes it impossible for him to play a depth role. Like Cristall, Perreault is still learning the defensive side of pro hockey, which will take some time, especially with the skating drawbacks.

Joey Larson, Bridgeport Islanders

I don’t think many people were expecting an undrafted free agent who signed an ELC eight months ago to be tied for second among rookie goal scorers in the AHL, but Joey Larson is doing just that. His three years of experience playing NCAA hockey, two of them at Michigan State, really show in his game. Even as a winger, Larson is constantly scanning the ice and communicating with teammates who should be switching to whom. He positions himself and his stick well. He forechecks and backchecks hard. Couple all of that with a shot that is finding the top corners with speed. If he can keep his scorer’s touch throughout the year, I wouldn’t be surprised if he makes the parent team as early as next season in a bottom-six role.

Chase Pietila, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

There’s no doubt that the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins would be leading the Atlantic Division without defenseman Chase Pietila. Pietila does everything for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton right now. He is a top four right-shot defenseman and plays both special teams units. He isn’t an overly creative passer, but he is accurate and plays the puck quickly. Pietila’s best skill is the way he closes out attackers. He times his engagements well, using a combination of his stick and shoulder to separate them from the puck. He plays bigger than he is listed at. I was pretty surprised he was listed at only 6’2 and 190 pounds. Pietila has been a key piece so far for the Penguins, as he has been tasked with eating a lot of minutes for the team. He’s a player the team can’t afford to have a bad night and for the most part, he has been on his game to start the season.

Ty Murchison, Lehigh Valley Phantoms

Murchison is the only defenseman in the top-10 for plus-minus among rookie skaters in the AHL. Despite only mustering four points in 18 games, Murchison’s good positioning and no-nonsense defensive style have accumulated a +11. Murchison is not a fast north-south skater, but he makes up for it by being laterally agile and in the right spot. His agility allows him to run some offense from the point and get shots to the net for deflections. Murchison excels at turning guys around in front of the net or along the boards. This leads to him tying up sticks in front of the net to give his goaltenders an easier time and winning board battles with relative ease. Murchison has been yet another integral rookie for Lehigh’s success this season.

Dans Locmelis, Providence Bruins

After finishing up his second season with UMass last season, Locmelis played six games with Providence in the 24-25 season, where he scored 12 points. It was an insane scoring streak for the young Latvian, who has since, expectedly, cooled off this season. Still, Locmelis has 10 points in 17 games and has proven to be a valuable two-way winger for the Bruins. He’s one of five players to have multiple shorthanded goals and the only rookie. Locmelis has used his fluid skating and ridiculous footspeed to full effect in the AHL this season. He accelerates quickly and isn’t afraid to go at the net. He has a good idea of where he needs to be a scoring threat and uses that to set up his sniper-level shot. If Locmelis can continue to show that he is a good player at any strength, he could get called up to Boston sooner rather than later.

Simon Zajicek, Providence Bruins

No team is getting better goaltending in the AHL than the Providence Bruins. A large part of that has been rookie goaltender Simon Zajicek. Following his best year in Czechia’s top league, Extraliga, Zajicek signed a one-year ELC with the Bruins. In the opening months of the season, Zajicek has been one of, if not the best, goaltenders in the AHL. His save percentage is tied for league-leading 0.942 and his goals against average leads the league at 1.70. On any other team, Zajicek would be the clear top goalie, but his tandem partner, Michael DiPietro, has also been playing lights out with a 0.942 save percentage and 1.80 goals against average in 10 games. Zajicek could get more starts eventually if the current Boston backup, Joonas Korpisalo, continues to struggle and DiPietro gets the call-up. For now, he’ll remain the 1B in Providence.

MCKEEN’S 2025-26 NHL YEARBOOK – BOSTON BRUINS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #21

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 18:54:08 +0000

Prospect System Ranking – 21st (May 2025 - 27th)
GM: Don Sweeney Hired: May 2015
COACH: Jim Montgomery Hired: July 2022

Thanks to the 2025 NHL draft, the Boston Bruins’ prospect pool has received a much needed shot in the arm. Thanks to the seventh overall pick, Boston landed James Hagens—a skilled forward once projected as a potential top three selection. He immediately becomes the organization’s top prospect and debuts at 14th in McKeen’s rankings.

The Bruins also struck in the second round, selecting William Moore, who now sits as their fourth-ranked prospect. Both Hagens and Moore are slated to suit up for Boston College, though there’s always a chance Hagens signs his entry-level deal early and pushes for a spot in Boston this fall.

At the trade deadline, Boston acquired Fraser Minten from Toronto, who slots in between Hagens and Fabian Lysell to round out the team’s top three. Both Minten and Lysell are nearly NHL-ready and could both challenge for a roster spot as early as this fall, though Providence may be their more likely starting point.

Beyond those names, the pool still lacks the depth to impact the NHL roster in the short term, meaningfully. Mason Lohrei, John Beecher, and Matthew Poitras are carving out roles, but the group isn’t strong enough to alter Boston’s contender status.

Still, there are encouraging signs. The Bruins added Matej Blumel during the off-season, who’s coming off a strong Calder Cup performance. Alongside him is a promising third-rounder, William Zellers, who impressed with 71 points as the USHL’s third-leading scorer in his rookie season.

The jury remains out on 2024 first-rounder Dean Letourneau (25th overall). Making the jump from high school to Boston University, he posted just three assists in 36 games as a freshman. Given questions about his readiness, his quiet debut does little to quiet skepticism.

With David Pastrnak, Charlie McAvoy, and Jeremy Swayman anchoring the present, Boston appears committed to replenishing its future through the draft. For the first time in years, there’s a flicker of optimism that the next wave of Bruins talent might be worth the wait.

Boston Bruins Top-15 Prospects

1 - James Hagens

James Hagens had a disappointing draft year, but the Bruins were far from disappointed that they were able to snag him seventh overall in June’s NHL Entry Draft. Hagens came into last season with fans and scouts alike admiring his combination of elusive skating, elite hockey IQ, and high-end skill to the point that he was the projected first overall pick. After setting records with the USA in international tournaments (All Time tournament scoring marks in U17s, U18s) and being among the all-time point leaders in USNTDP history, Hagens’ step into the NCAA was not quite as seamless as many expected. The freshman didn’t put up the numbers that were expected centering Boston College’s first line but still ended the season with 37 points. A natural playmaker, Hagens has a skillset that will likely result in him being a key offensive piece in Boston for years to come. This year he is heading back to Boston College for another NCAA season, but the Bruins are lacking in center depth, and a year from now, there may already be a top six center role waiting for him.

2 - Fraser Minten

Little bit of a chaotic first pro season for Fraser Minten as he spent his time with four different teams(!) but was able to make the most of it. Fraser got traded mid-season to Boston, and it was probably the best for his development. Toronto had a stacked team and since Boston has become sellers this season, he has an easier time staying in Boston’s thinner roster. He creates chances off the rush thanks to his quick first steps, plays a responsible two-way game and is a dual scoring threat in the offensive zone. Fraser does not possess dynamic skills and is more of a play connector when getting his assists. Neither is he a sniper but he’s so strong around the net that he’s going to get his fair share of goals by slamming home rebounds. Fraser’s game is incredibly translatable to the NHL and since Boston is in a semi-rebuild there’s a huge opportunity for Fraser to make himself a permanent roster player.

3 - Fabian Lysell

Having spent three seasons playing professional hockey it looks like Fabian Lysell is ready to take the next step. His off-puck game still isn’t his strongest trait, but Fabian is an offensive player, and he has taken the necessary steps at the AHL level to become an acceptable defensive player. He’s not going to learn a ton more playing in the minor leagues and it’s time for Boston to see what they got by giving him an opportunity. One area of his game that immediately pops out is his skating. He loves to skate with the puck through the neutral zone, using his crossovers to shift from side to side to throw defenders off and when he gets past the defencemen he will drive hard towards the net. The skating combined with his versatile goalscoring ability and deceptive playmaking should project Fabian into a top six player. This season Fabian should be able to solidify a spot on the NHL roster playing a top nine role.

4 - William Moore

Boston’s fourth-ranked prospect and second-round pick this past draft failed to reach the expectations set before this season. Moore was hailed as a top prospect in the 2025 class during his GTHL days and opted to play in the NTDP, choosing the college route over the OHL. After looking like he was the sure-fire top forward that the program had to offer, Moore was taken after notable teammates Conrad Fondrk, Jack Murtagh, and Will Horcoff. Boston is buying low on the potential Moore showed to be a skillful, two-way center. His offensive upside stems from his stickhandling, solid enough passing vision, and ability to get open in space around the net, all of which were best displayed in his power play minutes for the NTDP. Additionally, he uses his size well enough to be an effective penalty killer. He won’t lay out foes in open ice, but he can quell a puck carrier’s momentum along the wall. Moore does suffer from effort issues and some weak overall offensive awareness, but these are issues that can be rounded out in the NCAA, especially the prospect assembly line known as Boston College.

5 - Georgii Merkulov

Much like Fabian Lysell, Merkulov has spent three seasons with the Providence and had great offensive numbers. However, his development has stagnated a bit and if Boston wants to see if Georgii is a capable NHL player, they need to give him an opportunity. There are no questions about his offensive game. The shifty Russian has amazing talent with the puck, using his great vision to find open lanes through traffic, throwing hard, accurate passes and is also quite deceptive when handling the puck in the offensive zone. There are issues with his off-puck game and it’s crucial that he works on this if he cannot be a top six player with the big club. Moving him from center to wing will alleviate that defensive pressure and would probably be best for his NHL path going forward. A good camp this preseason will probably result in an NHL spot for the start of the season as Boston has moved away from their previous talent.

6 - Dans Locmelis

Dans Locmelis took a big step forward offensively in his sophomore year at UMass, more than doubling his freshman production by jumping from 14 points to 33. The Latvian established himself as a dependable two-way center, earning minutes on the power play, penalty kill, and taking on tough defensive matchups. After the conclusion of his season at UMass, Locmelis jumped into the Providence Bruins’ lineup, piling up a dozen points in his first six games. Despite this offensive outburst, Locmelis is more known for playing a smart, responsible two-way game than being an offensive dynamo. His adaptability and work ethic make a bottom six role a very realistic outcome in Boston for Locmelis. His versatility will make him an asset throughout the lineup when needed, and he should settle in as a consistent penalty killer. Before that, he likely has a year or two in the AHL ahead of him.

7 - Dean Letourneau

Letourneau experienced a challenging freshman season, struggling to adapt to the college game. His skating remains a significant weakness, limiting his ability to be a consistent presence in both zones. While his size and strength offer the potential of a power forward, he often fails to use his physicality effectively. Puck handling remains inconsistent, though he has shown flashes of skill in tight areas. Defensively, he lacks awareness and engagement, contributing minimal impact. On the positive side, Letourneau has demonstrated solid puck protection and net-front presence, particularly during even-strength play. His willingness to engage in battles has improved slightly over time, but his effort remains inconsistent. Despite receiving power play opportunities, he did not make a meaningful impact. With all of that said, Letourneau could have a big year coming up. He should have played an extra year before playing at BC, especially as a fourth liner. With the poor start last year, there were improvements in multiple areas of his game as the season went on, including his confidence. Projection-wise, Letourneau projects as a bottom six forward. Significant improvements in skating, puck control, and physical assertiveness will be essential for him to maximize his size and develop into a reliable depth contributor.

8 - Matej Blumel

Matej Blumel has been a very effective offensive player in the last few seasons. All of them with the Dallas Stars AHL affiliate, he has now signed with the Bruins in hope of NHL play time. Matej can do a little bit of everything, plays all situations, is okay defensively but forechecks well and puts tenacious pressure on defenders. Rather than having extraordinary playmaking ability, he gets his assists more thanks to his play drive and the amount of puck touches he makes. An effective scorer on the rush by coming down his weakside in transition and firing off his strong wrist shot but also has the offensive instincts to find open areas and can frequently score with his one-timer. A future as a top six forward in the NHL is probably out of the picture as his playmaking game never really has taken off and he probably won’t be getting the same amount of power play time he had with the Texas Stars. He could still be an effective middle six winger but needs to be competitive consistently if he wants to find success in that role.

9 - Will Zellers

A recent acquisition from the Colorado Avalanche, Zellers decided to hold off on joining North Dakota this year to play his post draft year in the USHL after playing previously with the Shattuck St. Mary’s program. With the Green Bay Gamblers, Zellers was consistently one of the most dangerous players in the USHL this year, leading the league in goal scoring by a significant margin. Not only is Zellers a skilled finisher and a creative player, but he’s also a hard-working player who finds success in higher traffic areas. The work rate and skill combination give him a really solid chance of becoming a quality pro. The question mark remains his skating. For an undersized forward, he doesn’t have the kind of speed or explosiveness that you prefer to see and that’s why he was a third-round selection despite possessing solid upside. He’s going to need a few years at the collegiate level to improve that.

10 - Michael Dipietro

Michael DiPietro has finally broken out at the AHL level at 25, becoming one of the league’s top goalies. He’s a very aggressive and intense goalie who relies on speed and rapid movements to get things done. He skates very well and is so fluid, but because that is his whole identity, it can hurt him in certain areas. With the overly aggressive style of play, it means that he lacks composure in areas, often not setting his feet and opting to travel longer when he shouldn’t have to, just to grab a little bit more depth on the shooter. When hot in the AHL, he has shown backup potential in the NHL but given his erratic nature it’s not likely he can sustain a starter’s workload at the highest level. He’s knocking on the door to being NHL ready in some capacity, but with Korpisalo under contract, he will have to bide time and learn to be calmer to some degree.

11 - Frederic Brunet

Entering the final season of his ELC, the unassuming Brunet saw his first NHL action last season while serving as one of AHL Providence’s top two defenders. A good-sized all-round defenceman, Brunet will pop out at you with the odd, impressive play on the attack every now and again. With no less than eight solid NHL-caliber players ahead of him in Boston’s blueline pecking order, he’ll likely have to bide his time until trades/injuries enter the picture.

12 - Chris Pelosi

Drafted in the third-round as a developmental project right from the get-go, the tenacious Pelosi followed a 55-point season in the USHL with a fantastic 13-goal, 24-point freshman year at Quinnipiac. Thanks to his feistiness and determination around the goal mouth and in the slot, he keeps the opposition on its toes and proved deceptive last season with longer range wrist shots. Could mesh well this season with incoming freshmen Markus Vidicek and Antonin Verreault.

13 - Oskar Jellvik

After a monstrous 2023-24 season for Boston College, where he gelled brilliantly with linemate Cutter Gauthier, Jellvik’s drop in production this past season was one of the more notable NCAA drop-offs whatsoever. An upper body injury at the Beanpot Tournament in February then ended all hopes of him regaining his touch this season. A sound skater with a strong sense of creativity, the onus is now on him to bounce back into a top six role for the always competitive Eagles.

14 - Elliott Groenewold

A well-built native of Vermont, Groenewold made a seamless transition from the USHL to college hockey this past season, becoming an absolute minute-muncher on Quinnipiac’s blueline. Some nights were better than others, but there’s no real hesitation in his reads and ability to pressure attackers, often suffocating players on the rush or in the corners. Production may never be something to write home about, but he’s on track to compete for a lower line NHL job one day.

15 - Riley Duran

Having just completed his first full pro season, Massachusetts native Duran snuck into two contests for the Bruins this year due in part to his dependability as a fourth line grinder, a role that will surely be his only viable path to NHL employment. Alas, they do like their blue-collar combatants in Beantown and Riley’s solid skating ability and lunchpail nature makes him a serious candidate as a penalty kill and forechecking option down the road. Offensively, a non-factor.

2025 NHL PROSPECTS REPORT: #27 BOSTON BRUINS – Top 15 NHL Affiliated Prospects

Sun, 18 May 2025 14:41:49 +0000

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 05: Boston Bruins center Fraser Minten (93) rushes up ice during a game between the Boston Bruins and the Carolina Hurricanes on April 5, 2025, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire)

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Boston 25 Prospects

MCKEEN’S 2024-25 NHL YEARBOOK – BOSTON BRUINS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #31

Introduction - Dave Hall, Profiles - Brock Otten — Thu, 12 Sep 2024 18:00:05 +0000

_{BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 24: Boston Bruins right wing Fabian Lysell (10) eyes a face off during a game between the Boston Bruins and the New York Rangers on September 24, 2023, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire)}

Prospect System Ranking – 31st (Previous Rank - 27th)
GM: Don Sweeney Hired: May 2015
COACH: Jim Montgomery Hired: July 2022

In their first season without the services of long-time leader Patrice Bergeron, the Boston Bruins faced the daunting probability of taking a step back and missing the postseason for the first time since the 2015-16 campaign. Contrary to that belief, the Bruins exceeded expectations, finishing with the fifth-highest point total in the league (109) to comfortably extend their playoff streak to eight years.

The 2023-24 season saw unexpected contributions from some of their younger players, particularly Matthew Poitras, who burst out of training camp to secure a roster spot as a 19-year-old. Despite having his season cut short due to shoulder surgery, he contributed five goals and 15 points in 33 games and fast-tracked his development as a vital piece to this club’s immediate short-term plans. Alongside him, Mason Lohrei and Jonathan Beecher took significant steps in their development, with all three playing 30-plus NHL games to help usher in a new era of Bruins hockey. All three are expected to be graduated and permanent members of the 2024-25 installment.

This influx of youth came at a critical time for Boston. With just four picks, the 2024 draft was the Bruins' lightest in four years, and they emerged with only one prospect to garner any real NHL potential for the future. Dean Letourneau, selected 25th overall, brings intriguing potential and currently ranks 138th in McKeen’s prospect ranking. Yet, with his experience limited to high school hockey, even he remains more unknown than typical first-rounders. Whether he develops into a steal or a bust at 25th overall remains a giant question mark.

Waiting in their depth, the club does have Fabian Lysell, who’s ranked 74th by McKeen’s. The 21-year-old winger is coming off a positive AHL sophomore season, where he averaged nearly a point per game to finish with 50 points (15 G, 35 A) in 56 games—sixth among U22 skaters. Additionally, Georgii Merkulov, ranked 183rd, saw his first cup of coffee in the NHL last year, suiting up in four games.

For now, Boston remains focused on their current roster, built around a core featuring Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak, Charlie McAvoy, and goaltender Jeremy Swayman. With their prospect pool ranking near the bottom of the league, the Bruins continue to tread water while waiting for reinforcements.

Boston Bruins Top-15 Prospects

1. Fabian Lysell

Lysell made some waves last year, for both good and bad reasons, but he is unquestionably Boston’s best prospect currently because of his significant offensive upside. On the positive end of things, he’s such a dangerous player in transition because of his speed and playmaking ability. He can create something out of nothing and he puts opposing defenders in a tough spot with his ability to attack with pace. On the negative end, his play away from the puck and his decision making with the puck were called into question this past year by scouts and even his own coach. It’s the reason why he has yet to play an NHL game despite producing at a great clip in his second AHL season. The upcoming Boston training camp will be a big one for Lysell to prove that he can make adjustments and play more of a team-oriented game.

2. Dean Letourneau

A major wild card heading into the 2024 NHL Draft, Letourneau ended up getting selected 25th overall by the Bruins. The massive forward is a major long-term project, but one with significant upside. Playing out of St. Andrew’s College (in the same AAA loop as Shattuck St. Mary’s), Letourneau was a wild card because how he would adjust to playing against better competition and he remains a mystery for that very reason. However, his combination of size and skill was just too much for Boston to pass up. His skating continues to make positive gains and he can really rifle the puck. As he fills out his frame, will his off puck play and physical engagement level become more consistent? Originally slated to play in the USHL for a season before heading to Boston College, Letourneau has accelerated his studies and will now suit up this coming year for the Eagles. His freshman year is sure to be heavily scrutinized.

3. Brandon Bussi

Barely eligible for this list based on his age (26), Bussi needs to be in the conversation as among the top young netminders outside of the NHL. His strong play with Providence is the reason why Boston felt so comfortable moving Linus Ullmark. The big, 6-foot-4 Bussi has a penchant for the highlight reel save; his play tracking ability and in crease movement are terrific. Pucks stick to him well, too, as he limits second chance opportunities. But what happens to Bussi this coming season? Joonas Korpisalo came over in the Ullmark trade and he will have the inside track (given his experience) at the backup role behind Swayman. However, Bussi will also require waivers to send to the AHL and there’s absolutely no chance he gets through given his pro performance thus far. Quite the dilemma.

4. Georgi Merkulov

Merkulov continued to produce for Providence in his sophomore season, inching close to the point per game mark. The dynamic forward is a potential scoring line forward for the Bruins in the near future. Heading into the year, the Bruins wanted Merkulov to focus on improving his off puck play and defensive zone coverage to help him stick as a center at the NHL level. By adding strength and increasing his intensity level, he was able to do that. This has made him a more consistent play driver; he’s now fully able to take advantage of his gifts as a creative playmaker. In a nutshell, he looks pro ready and should push for a permanent roster spot next season, providing Boston some depth and flexibility given the losses of DeBrusk and JVR. He should be in the mix for a top nine role during training camp.

5. John Farinacci

Poached from the Arizona Coyotes’ system after Farinacci played his senior year at Harvard in order to become a free agent, Arizona’s loss was Boston’s gain. Farinacci was as advertised with AHL Providence last year, playing a strong two-way game while chipping in offensively from time to time. He’s not the most dynamic offensive player, but he is incredibly efficient because of his off puck play and three zone awareness. He does almost everything well, but nothing elite. For that reason, he’s not likely to be a top six forward, with Farinacci’s future almost assured to be in the bottom six, but he could be a long-time fixture on the Bruins and eventually develop into a coaches’ favourite. One would expect him to earn games at the NHL level this year.

6. Oskar Jellvik

Lost in the hype machine at Boston College last year, Jellvik quietly had a tremendous sophomore season playing alongside Cutter Gauthier on BC’s other scoring line (outside of the NTDP trio). A playmaking winger, Jellvik oozes skill and creativity as he darts in and out of traffic to create time and space for himself and linemates. He consistently extends plays and has shown the previous season that he has the potential to be a scoring line forward at the NHL level if he can continue to develop at the collegiate level. With some graduations at BC, he could be in for a breakout year at the NCAA level this coming season. Boston fans should be excited about his upside and the growth shown in his game since being drafted.

7. Justin Brazeau

One of the best stories in the NHL last year. The road to the NHL has been a long one for Brazeau. The former OHL goal scoring leader didn’t even earn an NHL ELC despite being a dominant goalscorer with size because teams were concerned about his skating ability. He’s worked his way up from the ECHL, to the AHL, and now only recently earned an NHL contract from the Bruins. He was very effective to end last year for the Bruins and was pretty hard for Boston to take out of the lineup down the stretch because of his strong net front play and consistent effort away from the puck. Brazeau is still not the best skater…and he never will be. But there’s still a place in the league for power forwards like Brazeau who can find their way to the net and play a sound two-way game.

8. Riley Duran

Similar to John Farinacci, no one is expecting Riley Duran to become a future 30 goal scorer in the NHL. If he succeeds in making the Bruins roster full time, it will be in a bottom six role. However, his speed, strong work ethic, and physicality in puck pursuit make him an ideal role player in today’s NHL. He should be able to develop into a quality penalty killer at the pro level and will provide versatility to his coaches. Duran recently signed out of Providence College and will be turning pro full time this season, following his brief debut after signing at the end of last season. His offensive production as an AHL rookie should provide feedback as to how far away he is from an NHL role. It seems likely that Boston will be patient with Duran to allow him to build up confidence on the puck before pushing him into a depth role at the NHL level.

9. Michael DiPietro

Speaking of great stories, insert former top goaltending prospect Michael DiPietro. The former OHL goaltender of the year and Memorial Cup champion was cast aside by the Vancouver Canucks after a few frustrating seasons in their system. He passed through waivers and likely wasn’t even considered as a possible pick up by other NHL teams. However, the fresh start in Boston has revived DiPietro’s upside as an NHL netminder. He was consistently one of the best goaltenders in the AHL last season, splitting time with Bussi. Some players, especially goaltenders, just figure it out later in their careers and DiPietro is looking like one of those players. A fierce competitor, DiPietro’s best assets are his quickness in combination with his mental makeup. He has learned to harness his athleticism to become more composed and controlled in the crease. Will the Bruins be able to sneak DiPietro through waivers again next year after such a strong year?

10. Alec Regula

Rarely do players who have passed through waivers remain ranked inside an NHL team’s top ten prospects, but Regula had a very strong season in Providence to help keep him in Boston’s plans moving forward. They gave him a qualifying offer for that reason. Even with the signing of Nikita Zadorov, it is possible that Regula could earn a bottom pairing role or serve as a primary injury fill-in with the Bruins this year. The Taylor Hall/Nick Foligno deal with Chicago still has a chance to bear some fruit for the Bruins. 6-foot-4, 200+ pound defenders who can provide physicality while being mobile don’t grow on trees and that’s Regula’s MO. Just as stated with DiPietro, would someone bite on him this year if Boston tries to get him through waivers again?

11. Andre Gasseau

The third prospect the Bruins will have at Boston College, Gasseau is entering his junior season with the Eagles. The former NTDP player has proven to be a solid depth piece for BC in his first two years, playing a variety of roles. The big pivot is a solid two-way player and his future role in the NHL would almost assuredly be in the bottom six, that said, Boston will be looking for him to take on more offensive responsibility at the NCAA level first.

12. Trevor Kuntar

A physical, strong shooting, power center, Kuntar is coming off his first pro season with Providence. He was able to play a bottom six role for them and showed flashes of becoming a quality option for the Bruins down the line. The focus will be on continuing to improve his skating as he enters his sophomore pro year.

13. Dans Locmelis

The Bruins had high expectations for the Latvian pivot as he started his NCAA run with UMass last season, however his production failed to meet those expectations. This offseason, the focus has been on getting stronger and quicker. Recently, at Bruins development camp, management had great things to say about Locmelis and they are operating under the assumption that he has a breakout season as a sophomore.

14. Brett Harrison

There were definitely some concerns that Harrison’s transition to the pro level would be difficult, given his need to improve his skating and pace. That proved to be correct, as Harrison was limited to a depth role with Providence as a rookie. The former OHL standout will definitely be a long-term project for Boston.

15. Jonathan Morello

A fifth round selection by the Bruins in 2024, Morello is a very intriguing project due to his size and speed combination. He is lightning quick, plays with some jam, and shows upside as a goal scorer. After playing in the OJHL previously, Morello will suit up for Dubuque of the USHL next year before making a larger jump to Clarkson the following season

MCKEEN’S 2024 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #27 Boston Bruins – Organization Overview – Top 15 Prospects

Player Profiles - Brock Otten, Team Overview - Robert Howard — Wed, 29 May 2024 21:07:47 +0000

BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 24: Boston Bruins right wing Fabian Lysell (10) eyes a face off during a game between the Boston Bruins and the New York Rangers on September 24, 2023, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire)

The Bruins successfully transitioned to the new era without Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci, both retired. They finished with 109 points, good for seventh in the league after setting records the previous season with 135. They once again advanced to the second round of the playoffs, only to fall to the Florida Panthers once again. GM Don Sweeney was quite reserved this season, after moving out a lot of draft capital last year prior to the 2023 playoffs, including their first three picks this year. He moved two first round picks (2023 and 2024), a second (2025), third (2024), and a fourth round (2025) picks for Tyler Bertuzzi, Dmitri Orlov and Garnet Hathaway, who all moved on after the season. The draining of all that fresh blood into the system meant the remaining prospects and younger players had an opportunity to step up and the Bruins saw their first graduations in a few seasons. John Beecher and Mason Lohrei, both established themselves in the line-up this season.

The new core of their team is just entering their prime in David Pastrnak (26-years-old), Charlie McAvoy (26) and rising star goaltender Jeremy Swayman (25), who was outstanding in the playoffs. While that is an excellent base to build upon, the rest of the crew are a solid support group, and credit must be given to coach Jim Montgomery in getting the most out of them. Given low expectations going into the season, their efforts will be a confidence booster. After a quiet year, Sweeney will have some options this coming season, if not in draft picks to offer. He will look to add to that core, and the franchise is retooling for further playoff success.

RNK	PLAYER	POS	AGE	HT/WT	TM	Acquired	GP	G(W)	A(L)	PTS(GAA)	PIM(SPCT)
1	Fabian Lysell	RW	21	5-11/181	Providence (AHL)	`21(21st)	56	15	35	50	37
2	Brandon Bussi	G	25	6-4/218	Providence (AHL)	FA(3/22)	41	23	10	2.67	0.913
3	Georgii Merkulov	C	23	5-11/175	Providence (AHL)	FA(4/22)	67	30	35	65	20
4	John Farinacci	C	23	5-11/197	Providence (AHL)	FA(8/23)	71	12	26	38	16
5	Oskar Jellvik	LW	21	5-11/175	Boston College (HE)	`21(149th)	41	13	29	42	16
6	Reid Dyck	G	20	6-3/190	Swift Current (WHL)	`22(183rd)	35	25	7	2.70	0.911
7	Justin Brazeau	RW	26	6-5/220	Providence (AHL)	FA(2/24)	49	18	19	37	14
					Boston (NHL)	FA(2/24)	19	5	2	7	2
8	Riley Duran	C	22	6-1/175	Providence (HE)	`20(182nd)	35	9	7	16	18
9	Alec Regula	D	23	6-4/211	Providence (AHL)	T(Chi-6/23)	55	4	22	26	41
10	Michael DiPietro	G	24	6-1/205	Providence (AHL)	T(Van-10/22)	30	18	9	2.51	0.918
11	Andre Gasseau	C	20	6-4/205	Boston College (HE)	`21(213th)	40	12	17	29	27
12	Trevor Kuntar	C	22	6-0/205	Providence (AHL)	`20(89th)	70	10	10	20	113
13	Dans Locmelis	C	20	6-0/170	Massachusetts (HE)	`22(119th)	30	7	7	14	4
14	Brett Harrison	C	20	6-2/189	Providence (AHL)	`21(85th)	47	5	9	14	8
15	Frederic Brunet	D	20	6-3/196	Providence (AHL)	`22(132nd)	48	2	10	12	21

1. Fabian Lysell, RW, Providence Bruins (AHL)

Lysell has made some waves this year, for both good and bad reasons, but he is unquestionably Boston’s best prospect currently because of his significant offensive upside. On the positive end of things, he’s such a dangerous player in transition because of his speed and playmaking ability. He can create something out of nothing, and he puts opposing defenders in a tough spot with his ability to attack with pace. On the negative end, his play away from the puck and his decision making with the puck have been called into question this year by scouts and even his own coach. It’s the reason why he has yet to play an NHL game despite producing at a great clip this season. Next year’s Boston training camp will be a big one for Lysell to prove that he can make adjustments and play more of a team-oriented game.

2. Brandon Bussi, G, Providence Bruins (AHL)

Barely still eligible for this list based on his age (25 turning 26), Bussi needs to be in the conversation as among the top young netminders outside of the NHL. His strong play with Providence is the reason why trade rumours have swirled around Boston’s netminders (especially Ullmark) this season. It will also be the reason why they will swirl this offseason too. The big, 6’4 Bussi has a penchant for the highlight reel save; his play tracking ability and in crease movement are terrific. At this point, given the trade rumours and Swayman’s RFA status, in combination with Bussi’s pending waiver requirements, it would be shocking to see Bussi not in the NHL next year as Boston's back-up. Due to his age, his high end upside as an NHL netminder remains a bit of a mystery, however, he looks the part of an NHL goalie in some capacity.

3. Georgii Merkulov, C, Providence Bruins (AHL)

Merkulov continues to produce for Providence, inching close to the point per game mark as an AHL sophomore. The dynamic forward is a potential scoring line forward for the Bruins in the near future. Heading into the year, the Bruins wanted Merkulov to focus on improving his off puck play and defensive zone coverage to help him stick as a center at the NHL level. By adding strength and increasing his intensity level, he’s been able to do that. In a nutshell, he looks pro ready and should push for a permanent roster spot next season, providing Boston some cap flexibility given DeBrusk and JVR’s pending UFA status. He's probably not a future leading scorer for the Bruins, but he has a chance to be a long time middle six contributor.

4. John Farinacci, C, Providence Bruins (AHL)

Poached from the Arizona Coyotes’ system after Farinacci played his senior year at Harvard in order to become a free agent, Arizona’s loss is Boston’s gain. Farinacci has been as advertised with Providence this year, playing a strong two-way game while chipping in offensively from time to time. He’s not the most dynamic offensive player, but he is incredibly efficient because of his off puck play and three zone awareness. He has focused his development the last few seasons on improving his skating and improving that further will be the key to him developing into a high end two-way NHL player. Not likely to be a top six forward, Farinacci’s future is almost assured to be in the bottom six, but he could be a long time fixture on the Bruins and eventually develop into a coaches’ favourite.

5. Oskar Jellvik, LW, Boston College (NCAA)

Lost in the hype machine at Boston College this year, Jellvik quietly had a tremendous sophomore season playing alongside Cutter Gauthier on BC’s other scoring line (outside of the NTDP trio). A playmaking winger, Jellvik oozes skill and creativity as he darts in and out of traffic to create time and space for himself and linemates. He consistently extends plays and has shown this year that he has the potential to be a scoring line forward at the NHL level if he can continue to develop at the collegiate level. This includes upgrading some of those physical tools, like strength on the puck and quickness. However, that's why he took the NCAA route, to help him improve physically. Boston fans should be excited about his upside and the growth shown in his game this year.

6. Reid Dyck, G, Swift Current Broncos (WHL)

“Positive progression” has been the underlying theme of the Bruins system this year and Dyck is another great example of that. Dyck struggled mightily with consistency in his draft plus one year, but he’s really transformed himself this year and has closed out the year playing some of the best hockey in the entire WHL. The 6’4” netminder has all the tools that you like to see in today’s NHL netminder. He’s athletic. He’s competitive. He makes post to post saves look easy. Dyck is currently unsigned by the Bruins, but given the progress he showed this year, they would be foolish not to offer him an ELC. Depending on what happens with his contract situation, Dyck could either turn pro or return to the WHL as an OA in hopes of impressing another NHL organization.

7. Justin Brazeau, RW, Providence Bruins (AHL)

One of the best stories in the NHL this year. The road to the NHL has been a long one for Brazeau. The former OHL goal scoring leader didn’t even earn an NHL ELC despite being a dominant goal scorer with size because teams were concerned about his skating ability. He’s worked his way up from the ECHL, to the AHL, and now only recently earned an NHL contract from the Bruins. Since then, he’s been pretty hard for Boston to take out of the lineup because of his strong net front play and consistent effort away from the puck. Brazeau is still not the best skater…and he never will be. But there’s still a place in the league for power forwards like Brazeau who can find their way to the net and play a sound two-way game.

8. Riley Duran, C, Providence Bruins (AHL)

Similar to John Farinacci, no one is expecting Riley Duran to become a future 30-goal scorer in the NHL. If he succeeds in making the Bruins roster full time, it will be in a bottom six role. However, his speed, strong work ethic, and physicality in puck pursuit make him an ideal “role player” in today’s NHL. He should be able to develop into a quality penalty killer at the pro level and will provide versatility to his coaches. Duran recently signed out of Providence College and will be turning pro next season. His offensive production as an AHL rookie should provide feedback as to how far away he is from an NHL role. It seems likely that Boston will be patient with Duran to allow him to build up confidence on the puck before pushing him into a depth role at the NHL level.

9. Alec Regula, D, Providence Bruins (AHL)

Rarely do players who have passed through waivers remain ranked inside an NHL team’s top ten prospects, but Regula has had a very strong season in Providence to help keep him in Boston’s plans moving forward. With a few defenders set to become UFA, it is possible that Regula can earn a bottom pairing role with the Bruins next year. It’s also possible that he doesn’t receive a qualifying offer and becomes a free agent. However, given his strong defensive play this year, that seems unlikely. The Taylor Hall/Nick Foligno deal with Chicago still has a chance to bear some fruit for the Bruins. 6’4”, 200+lbs defenders who can provide physicality while being mobile don’t grow on trees and that’s Regula’s MO. If he gets let go by Boston, there's a definite chance that he can catch on with another team as a bottom pairing defender.

10. Michael Dipietro, G, Providence Bruins (AHL)

Speaking of great stories and speaking of players formerly passed through waivers, insert former top goaltending prospect Michael Dipietro. The former OHL goaltender of the year and Memorial Cup champion was cast aside by the Vancouver Canucks after a few frustrating seasons in their system. The fresh start in Boston has revived Dipietro’s upside as an NHL netminder. He’s consistently been one of the best goaltenders in the AHL this year, splitting time with Bussi. Some players, especially goaltenders, just figure it out later in their careers and Dipietro looks like one of those players. A fierce competitor, Dipeitro’s best assets are his quickness in combination with his mental makeup. Will the Bruins be able to sneak Dipietro through waivers again next year after such a strong year?

PROSPECT CRITERIA: Players under 26 years of age as of 9/15/2024 who have appeared in less than 60 games (30 for goalies) and less than 25 in one season (25 for goalies).

2024 WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP – December 30th Game Recaps + Three Stars

Steven Graves — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 15:49:35 +0000

231230 Jonas Taibel of Switzerland celebrates scoring 3-2 during the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship game between Switzerland and Norway on December 30, 2023 in Gothenburg.
Photo: Michael Erichsen / BILDBYRÅN / COP 89 / MI0589

Switzerland 6, Norway 2

A day after losing a hard-fought game against the Slovaks, the Norwegians came into their last game of the tournament with an 0-3 record. This was their biggest game of the tournament, and their best chance at avoiding playing in relegation. The first period started off rough with Simon Meier opening the scoring for the Swiss early after Stian Solberg was caught pinching. A minute later, 2024 NHL draft prospect Leon Muggli took a dangerous boarding penalty where the Swiss saw themselves without the defender for the rest of the game and the Norwegians found themselves on a 5-minute power play opportunity. Unfortunately, the Norwegian power play was discombobulated, and the Swiss ended up with more shorthanded chances on the penalty kill than Norway had on their PP. Before the end of the first period, the Norwegians scored 2 quick goals - a great individual effort on the power play by Martin Johnsen where he cut to the net with speed and beat the Swiss netminder, and a lucky bounce by Patrik Dalen after he tried to make a cross ice pass to his teammate and the puck bounced right back to him for an easy tap in.

The second period was all Switzerland; undisciplined play by Norway led to multiple power play opportunities for the Swiss where they figured out goaltender Markus Stensrud. Three of their four goals in the period were shots taken up high. The goal scorers were Leo Braillard, Jonas Taibel, Rodwin Dionicio and Thierry Schild. The Captain, Taibel ended up with 3 points in this period for the Swiss.The third period saw another goal by Anaheim Ducks prospect Rodwin Dionicio to make the game 6-2 and the Norwegian’s were out of it by then. Jonas Taibel finished the game with 4 points and was all over the ice all game long.

Latvia 6, Germany 2

Latvia came into this game without scoring a goal in the tournament after being shut out by Canada, Sweden and Finland. This game was their best chance at winning and avoiding relegation and although they hadn’t shown competitive up to this point in the tournament, the 6-5 victory against Germany in pre-tournament games meant that this game has always been the one Latvia was looking forward to. The first period was all Latvia - they were controlling the pace of play all period long. 2024 NHL draft prospect Eriks Mateiko opened the scoring for Latvia after a harmless looking shot fooled the German netminder Philipp Dietl and went 5-hole for Latvia’s first of the tournament. Undisciplined play by Lutz led to a man advantage for Latvia and Rubzerts Bukarts made him play with a rocket one timer. Then after lost coverage by Lutz, Peteris Bulans pots Latvia’s third goal of the period.

In the second period, Samuel Schindler gets Germany on the board with a weak wrister entering the zone but Latvia answers after a bad German line change and Rainers Darzins gets in on a partial break to put Latvia back up 3. Another penalty by Lutz allowed Sandis Vilmanis to score a one timer goal to end the period. Vilmanis continued where he left off in the second to make it 6-1 after a strong power move to the net after a nice feed from Bruin’s 4th rounder Dans Locmelis. Germany had a breath of life after Sabres prospect Norwin Panocha snuck in from the point to give the Germans their second goal of the game. However, after Veit Oswald made a dangerous hit from behind that led to a 5-minute power play for Latvia, Germany was out of the game and handed Latvia the win.

Three stars

#1 Jonas Taibel - Switzerland

Switzerland’s captain played a really strong game today and was a major reason why the Swiss defeated the Norwegians. Taibel was all over the ice, facilitating plays and being dangerous throughout. Not only did he score the game winning goal for Team Switzerland (an absolute snipe might I add) but he added three helpers in the game to give him a four-point day, truly a great performance to propel Switzerland to the win.

#2 Sandis Vilmanis - Latvia

Vilmanis, a Florida Panthers fourth round selection, came out to play for the Latvians today in a must win game for the nation. The Sarnia Sting forward was constantly causing headaches for the Germans on the forecheck with his speed and was dangerous when given space in the offensive zone. Vilmanis had two goals in the game including a real nice power move to the front of the net to give Latvia a 6-1 lead.

#3 Rodwin Dioninco - Switzerland

Dionicio, who is the lone NHL drafted player on this Swiss roster played a very strong game for the Swiss in this one. He was constantly joining the rush, thwarting plays all over the ice, being physical and most importantly had 2 of the Swiss’ 6 goals in this game. The Anaheim Ducks prospect showcased his offensive ability on his two goals, one of which was a deadly snipe on the Norwegian goalie, and the other was him cutting to the net showcasing how fearless he can be. All in all an impressive performance.

2024 WORLD JUNIORS CHAMPIONSHIP – December 29th, 2024 Game Recaps

Adam Tate — Sat, 30 Dec 2023 15:15:15 +0000

GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN - DECEMBER 29: Juraj Pekarcik #19 of Slovakia celebrates his first period goal against Norway with teammates, Dalibor Dvorsky #15, Alex Ciernik #22, Milan Pisoja #3 and Luka Radivojevic #11 in Preliminary Round - Group B action at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship at Frolundaborg on December 29, 2023 in Gothenburg, Sweden. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/IIHF)

Slovakia 8, Norway 4

With a day off yesterday after beating Switzerland 3-0, Slovakia came into today’s game ready to play. From the drop of the puck, it was clear that they had a speed and skill advantage over Norway. Slovakia was down early with Norway’s Michael Brandsegg-Nygard scoring just over three minutes into the first period. They tied the game up about 10 minutes later with Samuel Honzek evening the score with a power play goal. Juraj Pekarcik would score for Slovakia less than a minute later and they would never look back. They broke the game open in the second period with five goals. Dalibor Dvorsky had a very strong game with four points (two goals and two assists). The aforementioned Brandsegg-Nygard (2024 NHL Draft eligible) had a three-point game (2 goals and one assist) and was Norway’s Player of the Game. Norway would need both their goaltenders in this game. They didn’t dress Markus Stensrud, choosing to save him for tomorrow’s game against Switzerland, as that could be a relegation game.

Finland 4, Latvia 0

Finland needed a better result today after having lost to Germany on Wednesday to avoid any potential relegation scenarios. They got the job done in a must-win game against Latvia. Finland’s Captain, Jere Lassila factored in on all of their goals with a goal and three assists. He wasn’t going to let Finland continue to slide down the standings in Group A. Konsta Helenius, the hyped 2024 NHL Draft eligible player, had another quiet game, only hitting the scoresheet with a penalty in the third period. Latvia’s scoring struggles continued this game and they haven’t scored in any of their three games in the tournament so far. Even combining their two drafted players, forwards Dans Locmelis and Sandis Vilmanis, they still struggled to find consistent offense. Their goaltender, Deivs Rolovs, was the Player of the Game for Latvia despite giving up four goals as he stopped 39 of 43 shots. Without Rolovs, this game would’ve been much worse for Latvia.

USA 4, Czechia 3 (Shootout Win)

The closest game in terms of score today, USA edged Czechia in a shootout to win their game 4-3. Isaac Howard would start the scoring with the first goal of the game, and he ended the game with the Shootout winner in the 7th round. The goals were equal in each period but the play was not. USA had the run of play in the 1st, outshooting Czechia 15-5 and looking more dangerous overall, including a couple of good shorthanded chances. The game favored Czechia more in the 2nd period as they held the shot advantage (12-9) and had the only power play of the period. The 3rd and overtime settled nothing, though USA had the most chances in OT, so the game went to a shootout. USA must win their game against Slovakia in order to win Group B as they only collect 2 points for the win today.

Sweden 2, Canada 0

This was the marquee matchup of the day and it did not disappoint. Sweden and Canada played an intense back and forth game with both teams wanting to show the fans in attendance that they were the best team in Group A. Both goaltenders, Hugo Havelid for Sweden, and Mathis Rousseau for Canada, made tremendous high danger saves. The forward groups showed a lot of skill and speed. The defence for both teams were tenacious and hard hitting. It was the kind of game you hope to see from this tournament.

Swedish defenceman Tom Willander opened the scoring in the second period with a nice rush up the ice and used a Canadian defenceman as a screen to score. Noah Ostlund would score on a rebound from a Jonathan Lekkerimaki shot from the blue line. Canada would have a couple of power play opportunities after those goals, but Havelid shut the door. Rousseau played his best game for Canada so far with some outstanding saves. Sweden has yet to be scored on in the tournament through three games.

Three Stars of the Day

#1 - Dalibor Dvorsky - Forward - Slovakia

The 10th overall selection by the St. Louis Blues in the 2023 NHL Draft finally factored into Slovakia’s scoring with four points today (2 goals, 2 assists). He was a play driver for his line and pushed Norway to their limit. His first goal to make it 3-1 was a rush to the net on the power play where he turned the defenceman and made a move across the crease to open up the goaltender. His second goal was a rush down the middle of the ice with a nice wrist shot after he crossed Norway’s blue line, using the defenceman as a screen. Anytime Dvorsky was on the ice he was beating Norway with speed and strength, and they had no answer for him.

Honorable Mention goes to Servac Petrovsky who also had a four-point game and is now leading the tournament in scoring.

#2 - Jere Lassila - Forward - Finland

The Finnish Captain had his best day in international play to this point in his career today. Factoring in on all four of Finland’s goals in a must-win situation to avoid having to deal with relegation is the best way to lead by example. He would not let Finland lose today. His goal opened the scoring of the game and came on the power play. He was positioned in front of the net and banged home a rebound. Two of his three assists also came on the power play as he was a key factor in that situation. He played 19:06, leading all Finnish forwards in ice time.

#3 - Mathis Rousseau - Goaltender - Canada

Despite losing 2-0, Mathis Rousseau provided Canada with outstanding play in goal today. He made a number of incredible saves and kept Canada in the game. While only seeing 24 shots in the game, an average goaltending performance today would’ve resulted in a 4-0 or 5-0 win for Sweden. It’s hard to blame Rousseau for either of Sweden’s goals. On Tom Willander’s he was screened by his own teammate and didn’t see the shot until it was too late. On the second goal, Rousseau stopped two shots from Jonathan Lekkerimaki, including one where he was by himself in the slot, before giving up a rebound goal to Ostlund. I wouldn’t blame Rousseau for this goal either as Ostlund made a good play to get behind Canada’s defence and wasn’t accounted for when he scored. Rousseau was Canada’s best player today, and he deserves a star despite the loss.

MCKEEN’S 2023-24 NHL YEARBOOK – BOSTON BRUINS – Top 20 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #27

Brock Otten, Derek Neumeier, Chapin Landvogt and Josh Bell — Fri, 22 Sep 2023 20:08:04 +0000

Top 20 Boston Bruin Prospects

BRIGHTON, MA - JULY 06: Boston Bruins forward Fabian Lysell (21) waits for his turn at a drill during Boston Bruins Development Camp on July 6, 2023, at Warrior Ice Arena in Brighton, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire)

1. Fabian Lysell

Lysell wasted no time after the Bruins selected him 21st overall in 2021. After hearing his name called, he decided to come to North America, where he has been extremely impressive so far. He spent his first season in the WHL with the Vancouver Giants, leading the team in points with 62. Last season, he was just as impressive after having move up to the AHL. Lysell’s ability to generate offense has been on full display since coming overseas, highlighted by his ability to stickhandle like the puck is on a string as well as his high-end passing skill. He’s incredibly elusive and creative but needs to pick his opportunities better. There are also some consistency concerns in his game as he seems to lose confidence in himself on occasion. If Lysell can put the pieces together, and he did that very well last year as an AHL rookie, he could very well be a top six playmaker in the near future.

2. Mason Lohrei

After going undrafted in 2019, Lohrei has been making the Bruins look good. They surprisingly called his name 58th overall in the 2020 NHL Draft and he has since responded very well, earning USHL Defenseman of the Year honours in 2020-21, leading all defenders in goals (19), assists (40), and points (59). But he wasn’t done there. He joined Ohio State University the following season and was named to the Big Ten All-Rookie Team. Last season, his final one in the NCAA ranks, didn’t have the same lustre around it, but he was playing on a weaker team. Lohrei’s two-way potential is still there. He contributes at both ends, carrying the puck well in transition, showing promising mobility, playing physically, and being trusted to be on the ice in all situations. He’s still a bit of a project and there is a need for some refinement in his game if he’s going to succeed in the NHL, but he could be a reliable bottom-pairing defender.

3. Matthew Poitras

Looking at the type of player that the Bruins value, Poitras is the perfect fit. A coach’s dream, he never takes his foot off the gas, being dependable in all scenarios, and being patient in his play. He’s not a player who is going to be overly dynamic at the next level, but he’s capable of having flashes. A recent draftee, Poitras was selected 54th overall in the 2022 NHL Draft from the OHL’s Guelph Storm. He took a big offensive step forward last season, nearly doubling his offensive output from his rookie season and finishing second in the league in assists. This largely comes from his hardworking style of play, as the puck usually ends up on his stick, which won’t happen as much as he moves up. Tenacious players tend to make it against all odds, so you can bet on Poitras reaching the NHL in due time.

4. Reilly Walsh

After splitting his draft year between the USHL’s Chicago Steel and Prep school Proctor Academy, the Devils bet on Walsh and selected him 81st in the 2017 NHL Draft. He then moved on to the NCAA with Harvard University where he spent three years, playing consistent, productive hockey without shining too brightly. He signed with the Devils and jumped to the AHL in 2020-21 where he continued that trend of consistency. After being on the trade block this season, the Bruins acquired him in the offseason, for Shane Bowers, and are looking for him to take that next step. Walsh is an offensive defender who moves very well with the puck on his stick, isn’t afraid to jump up into the rush, and has a great shot. He has quick edges and a level of deception in his game. The defender likely caps out as a bottom-line defender, but a contributing one who could see time on the power play as well.

5. Brandon Bussi

In terms of trending prospects, it’s nearly impossible to ignore Bussi at this point. An undrafted goaltender, Bussi had been biding his time, waiting for an NHL team to bet on him. After his third NCAA season with Western Michigan University, the Bruins did just that, signing him to a one-year contract as a collegiate free agent. With a .910 save percentage over his NCAA career, expectations weren’t overly high, more in line with a “let’s see” approach. He jumped to the AHL last season and was remarkable in net. He took over the Providence crease as the number-one netminder and ran with it, sitting near the top of the league in all categories. He was even named to the AHL All-Star Classic and AHL All-Rookie Team. It remains to be seen how high Bussi can climb, but he’s still young at 24 and his size, positioning, and mobility all suggest that he’s well on his way to the next level.

6. Alec Regula

Acquired recently in the Taylor Hall/Nick Foligno swap with the Chicago Blackhawks, Regula is a hulking, stay-at-home defender entering his fourth season of professional hockey. The good news for Boston is that he will be eager for a fresh start and an opportunity to establish himself as an NHL regular. The bad news is that he is no longer exempt from waivers and the team already has an extremely deep pro blueline. What ultimately ends up happening with Regula at training camp will be interesting, but there is no question that he could be a steady, third pairing defender immediately. He’s got size. He’s got reach. He’s very mobile for such a large defender. He’s an intense physical competitor. The puck skills are relatively limited. Long gone are the days where he used to play the netfront, bumper position for the London Knights on the powerplay a-la Zdeno Chara (he scored 27 goals for London in 2020). However, he definitely has a projection of an NHL defender who can pair well with a more aggressive offensive type, especially given his right shot. Boston will have to make room for him, trade him again, or risk losing him on waivers to another NHL franchise for free.

7. John Farinacci

The captain of Harvard in the NCAA, Farinacci played out his NCAA eligibility in order to earn free agent status, opting not to sign with the Arizona Coyotes who had originally selected him. Almost immediately upon earning said status, Farinacci signed with Boston, gaining status as a potential roster option for this upcoming season. He plays a polished two-way game and can find success playing a heavy style, making him a suitable bottom six candidate to start with. How much upside does Farinacci have? That remains to be seen. His shot might be his best asset as a pro, although his patience and playmaking ability did improve during his senior year. Even if he tops out as a high end third line option, Farinacci would bring a ton of value to Boston as a free agent signing. He can kill penalties, play a variety of different roles, and should move quickly through the system, helping to fill the gaps left by some of Boston’s high profile exits.

8. Georgii Merkulov

After going undrafted and relatively unnoticed in his first year of draft eligibility back in 2019, playing with the MHL’s Kapitan Stupino, Merkulov made a change. He decided to head overseas, joining the USHL’s Youngstown Phantoms where he spent two seasons, going undrafted both times. He next moved on to the NCAA and Ohio State University, where he spent just one year before the Bruins swooped in and signed him as a free agent. That’s been looking like a great move so far, as Merkulov was a top player on the Providence Bruins last season. He has an excellent shot, has a knack for creating separation, and is a strong playmaker as well. He struggles in the face-off dot and his defensive awareness and effort aren’t always there, but he’s well on his way to being a secondary scoring option at the NHL level.

9. John Beecher

When the Bruins drafted Beecher back in 2019, 30th overall, he was coming off a fine season with the USNTDP and heading to the NCAA’s University of Michigan. He spent three seasons with the Wolverines, where it seemed like his development stalled, never really taking the next step in his game. Now in the AHL, he has shown some improvement with his physicality and ability to get off the wall, even chipping in offensively fairly well, but there is still concern with his lack of consistency and failure to take over games or drive a line. He tends to sit back too often, letting the play come to him. Whether or not he makes the NHL as a consistent contributor is a real question, and it’s hard to see his ceiling as more than a bottom six role player, despite his physical gifts.

10. Riley Duran

A lesser known but promising piece of the Bruins’ pool is Duran. Selected in 2020 way down at 182nd overall out of high school, the forward made the shift to the USHL the following season but didn’t take off. In 2021-22, he jumped to the NCAA where he emerged as a real prospect of note with Providence College. So much so that he was named to Team USA at the 2022 World Juniors. He has strong positioning, plays with high energy, and isn’t afraid to jump into puck battles. His skill level isn’t overly exciting - he’s more of a reliable depth player. As the Bruins tend to prefer, Duran has good size at 6-foot-2 and will continue to build strength before he reaches the next level. His ceiling isn’t very high, but he seems like a player who could plug into a third- or fourth-line role while able to play up if needed.

11. Brett Harrison

Drafted 85th overall in 2021, Harrison’s shot is a bright spot, getting a great deal of weight behind a full arsenal of shots. He does well getting to the front of the net as well. His skating stride, shot selection, and overall consistency are red flags in his game though. His development has seemed to stall since being drafted. It's hard to see him as more than a depth piece but he could cut out a bottom six role for himself if everything goes to plan.

12. Dans Locmelis

2022-23 was a coming out party for the talented Latvian center. He was among the best players in the Swedish J20 league and visibly improved his skating to become a more dangerous and consistent offensive player. He will attend UMass this year and should have a good season.

13. Jakub Lauko

Even though the offensive production wasn’t terrific at the AHL level, Lauko filled in admirably with Boston last year to help offset injuries with the big club. This coming season Lauko is no longer exempt from waivers, so it is a big year for the speedy winger.

14. Marc McLaughlin

Don’t expect McLaughlin to ever be a big-time offensive contributor as that’s not his game, but with his work ethic and defensive awareness, he profiles perfectly as a fourth line center and penalty killing anchor.

15. Trevor Kuntar

After three years at Boston College, Kuntar is turning pro this year after signing with Boston. The big, power center is a capable goal scorer but it will be interesting to see how his skating and pace translates to the pro level.

16. Andre Gasseau

A big, two-way center, Gasseau was surprisingly fantastic as a freshman with Boston College last year, flashing more offensive upside than he was perceived to have. It will be interesting to see him grow with the program and continue to develop as an offensive play driver.

17. Frederic Brunet

Even though Brunet finished second in defensive scoring in the QMJHL last year, it looks like the plan might be for him to return as an OA this upcoming season as he is currently without an ELC. Training camp performance may dictate where they start the talented offensive blueliner.

18. Oskar Jellvik

Another player in the Bruins/Boston College pipeline, Jellvik is a skilled playmaking forward who just finished his freshman year after coming over from Sweden. He remains a long term project, but one with terrific offensive upside.

19. Ryan Mast

Even though the offensive production was adequate in the OHL, don’t expect Mast to be a big-time offensive contributor at the pro level. How his defensive game transitions to the pro level this year will dictate whether he can be a long term NHL fixture on the blueline.

20. Beckett Hendrickson

The son of long time NHL forward Darby Hendrickson, Beckett is coming out of the NTDP and will be playing with Sioux Falls in the USHL this year before heading to the University of Minnesota the following year. A lunch pail type, Hendrickson will be looking to prove that he has offensive upside.

MCKEEN’S 2023 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #8 Buffalo Sabres

Josh Bell — Tue, 23 May 2023 21:47:50 +0000

Prospect System Ranking – 8^th (1^st last year)

There is genuine excitement building in Buffalo following a really strong season, with some playoff aspirations for a time. They have arguably the most exciting group of graduates in the NHL in Owen Power, Jack Quinn, J.J. Peterka, Dylan Cozens, Rasmus Dahlin, and Mattias Samuelsson. Four of them were top 10 picks in their draft year. You can add Peyton Krebs, acquired in the Eichel trade to this group. At the 2022 Draft they had three first round picks in Matthew Savoie (#25^th ranked by McKeens), Noah Ostlund (#63), and Jiri Kulich (#18). The fact that they had so many graduates, and still rank this highly in organizational depth is a testament to their scouts and development team.

GM Kevyn Adams took over in June 2020, right before the draft, and has drawn good reviews as a steady hand. He was proactive in signing his two franchise centerman Tage Thompson (25-years-old) and Dylan Cozens (22) to long term deals at a reasonable AAV of $7.1 million that will benefit them for years. His biggest trade was moving Jack Eichel for a first and a second, hometown hero Alex Tuch, who is thriving, along with the former 17^th overall pick, Peyton Krebs. He has also successfully stepped into an NHL role. Adams brought in a lot of futures and changed the culture seemingly overnight in a high-pressure transaction. Eichel has gone on to thrive in Vegas, but the pieces Adams extracted are already fixtures in the line-up and Ostlund is a promising prospect. The Sabres are going to be competitive as soon as next season, and only get better as this group hits their prime. A reward to Buffalo fans who have been waiting 12 years for a playoff appearance and seen their share of dysfunction.

CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 03: Rochester Americans right wing Jiri Kulich (25) on the ice during the first period of the American Hockey League game between the Rochester Americans and Cleveland Monsters on December 3, 2022, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire)

Jiri Kulich

While Matthew Savoie was the Sabres’ top-10 selection in the 2022 NHL Draft, it’s been 28th-overall-pick Jiri Kulich looking more and more like the team’s top prospect. The Czech forward made the jump overseas this season, going straight to the AHL and fitting right in. The transition to the league wasn’t a difficult one for the centreman, having spent the previous season with HC Energie Karlovy Vary in the top men’s league in Czechia. He’s been a regular and a standout player on Team Czechia, most recently helping them to a 2023 World Juniors silver medal. Kulich plays hard, fast, and smart - the perfect trifecta for any NHL player. He’s a player that could be thrown into any role or situation and thrive. At this point, there’s little question of if he’ll make it to the NHL, but rather when.

2. Matthew Savoie

In terms of dynamic prospects, you’d be hard-pressed to find one better than Savoie. The Winnipeg Ice centreman has been tearing up the WHL for the past two seasons, eclipsing 35 goals and 90 points in both campaigns. He led all rookies in points last season and was rewarded by being selected ninth overall by the Sabres. He’s so difficult to defend due to his excellent edgework and impressive hands to match. He might just be one of the best skaters not in the NHL right now. Savoie’s a well-rounded, offensive threat, with a shot that will stand out in the NHL and strong playmaking with a knack for feeding the slot. He plays at a high pace and isn’t afraid to dive into battles, despite his 5-foot-9 frame. He has the talent to be a top-line threat and seems like a safe bet for the top six, at the very least.

3. Devon Levi

What a successful journey it’s been for Devon Levi. Starting with the CCHL’s Carleton Place Canadians in 2019-20, the goaltender has been MVP of the CCHL and 2019 World Junior A Challenge, Player of the Year in the CJHL and Hockey East, and on top of that, Top Goaltender of the NCAA and 2021 World Juniors. And that’s just the Cole’s note version of his extensive resume to date. While critics will be quick to point out his size, at “just” six feet, he has all of the aspects that should lead him to continued success in his career. He’s so quick and precise in his movement, using strong edges to maintain his positioning. His tracking is among the best of any goaltending prospect and his patience is elite. The wait for Levi to be an NHL regular shouldn’t be long, as the prospect has already signed his entry-level deal and made the jump to the NHL from Northwestern University.

4. Isak Rosen

Like Kulich, Isak Rosen is in his first season in North America and has wasted no time getting accustomed to the game. This should come as no surprise since the Swede spent the two seasons prior playing in the SHL with Leksands IF. The Sabres drafted him in 2021 at 14th overall, spending just one more season in Sweden before heading directly to the AHL. Rosen is such a fun player to watch, stemming from just how light he is on his feet and how quickly he can change directions, making him extremely unpredictable. He’s very patient and his intelligence shows with the puck on his stick, waiting for the opportune moment to make a move and create chances. Consistency and finding ways to break through to the middle of the ice appear to be the biggest hurdles for him right now, but he’s well on his way to being a productive middle-six winger.

5. Noah Ostlund

Sticking with the top Swedes in the prospect pool, Noah Ostlund is the third prospect on this list from the Sabres’ ridiculous first round in the 2022 NHL Draft. Ostlund was the second taken, 16th overall. Ostlund may take some more time than Rosen to make the jump though, playing just 11 SHL games last season, without recording a point. He has been playing in the HockeyAllsvenskan this season with Djurgardens IF, where he’s been getting used to playing against men. The centreman brings a promising two-way presence combined with very agile feet. He can tend to be outmuscled on the puck rather often, so there is some concern about how that will translate coming overseas. This complicates his projection, but he does the talent and work ethic to be a contributing middle-six forward. Another year in Sweden, plus some time in the AHL will be beneficial.

6. Prokhor Poltapov

The Sabres have shown in recent drafts that they’re going to bet on skill and all the rest will fall into place. That seems to be the thought process behind selecting Russian forward Prokhor Poltapov 33rd overall in 2021. The forward also fits a Sabres mould in his energy level, playing like a wind-up car when he’s on the ice. He has the potential to pull off highlight-reel plays but that isn’t always on display. That makes him a player to always keep an eye on though, as you never know when he’s going to go off. After spending the 2021-22 season bouncing between the MHL, VHL, and KHL, he’s carved out a role for himself in the KHL this season, granted in an extremely limited role. His ceiling isn’t overly high, especially due to some inconsistency, but he’s signed in Russia until 2024-25, so he has some time to develop.

7. Ryan Johnson

The first and only defender in the Sabres’ top 10, Ryan Johnson could easily be higher on this - but that’s a testament to the team’s system right now. Drafted 31st overall in 2019, Johnson was coming off a one-and-done USHL season where he was named to the All-Rookie Team. He then jumped to the NCAA’s University of Minnesota where he’s been a huge part of the program. His numbers don’t jump off the page, but he’s still the No. 1 defender on the NCAA’s top team. His reliability, excellent mobility, and his ability to dictate the play all stand out as highly coveted, easily translatable traits. There’s likely not a ton of offensive upside to his game, but there’s also not a lot of downside to his game. He’s in his senior year and doesn’t seem far off from stepping into an NHL role - potentially the top four.

8. Aleksandr Kisakov

While there’s often a waiting period for Russian prospects after they’ve been drafted, Aleksandr Kisakov didn’t take much, spending just one more year in the MHL before signing and coming over to the AHL. In Russia, he showed off his ability to play a quick, high-pace game, noticeably standing out with his speed and offensive talent. He’s extremely creative and unpredictable with the puck on his stick. He’s struggled to find that consistent offensive magic since he joined the Rochester Americans though, adjusting to the improved speed and strength of the AHL. It remains to be seen if he’ll be able to get back to that level or if he’ll end up as more of a depth piece in a lineup. There’s a high ceiling and low floor here to keep an eye on but either way, he’s a longer-term project. Expect a few more years in the AHL to get him comfortable.

9. Olivier Nadeau

Selected in the 2021 NHL Draft, 97th overall, Olivier Nadeau provides the Sabres’ farm system with a bigger, strong piece for the future. While the majority of their top prospects are high-skill, high-ceiling pieces, Nadeau is more of a high-floor, low-ceiling prospect. Imagining him as a bottom-six forward seems like just a matter of time and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him crack the top-six. He has a big body that protects the puck so well and navigates to the middle of the ice very well. He does have promising offensive ability too and should be a contributor at every level, at least in a secondary-scoring role. His skating looks to be the biggest hole in his game right now, so much so that he may struggle to adjust to the AHL level. Still, he’s been a top player in the QMJHL that looks ready to take the next step.

10. Lukas Rousek

After being passed over in the NHL Draft twice, the third time was the charm for Lukas Rousek who was selected 160th overall in 2019 by the Sabres. At that time, he was already in his second season in the top men’s league in Czechia. Post-draft, he spent two more seasons with HC Sparta Praha taking noticeable steps forward each season. After an ACL reconstruction surgery to start the 2021-22 season, he played just 19 games that season but came on strong in the playoffs. This season, he’s become a top player for the Amerks, highlighted by his excellent playmaking and work ethic. He’s a strong skater who seems to always know where to be on the ice. Seeing how easily he’s transitioned to the AHL, it looks like Rousek could be a middle-six winger, who looks like a very safe bet to be a regular at this point.

Dans Locmelis – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2026 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #20 Boston Bruins – Organization Overview – Top 15 Prospects

Prospect System Ranking – 20th (Last Year - 21st) GM: Don Sweeney Hired: May 2015 COACH: Marco Sturm Hired: June 2025

James Hagens, C, Boston College (NCAA) (Currently with Providence Bruins, AHL)

Dean Letourneau, C, Boston College (NCAA)

William Zellers, LW, University of North Dakota (NCAA)

Fabian Lysell, RW, Providence Bruins (AHL)

William Moore, C, Boston College (NCAA)

Dans Locmelis, C, Providence Bruins (AHL)

Elliott Groenewold, D, Quinnipiac University (NCAA)

Chris Pelosi, C, Quinnipiac University (NCAA)

Frederic Brunet, D, Providence Bruins (AHL)

Vashek Blanár, D, HV71 (SHL)

Cooper Simpson, LW, Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)

Simon Zajicek, G, Providence Bruins (AHL)

Philip Svedeback, G, Providence College (NCAA)

Jonathan Morello, C, Boston University (NCAA)

Ryan Walsh, C, Cornell University (NCAA)

AHL: EASTERN CONFERENCE – Top 10 First Year Players to Date

Jack Devine, Florida Panthers

Alex Bump, Lehigh Valley Phantoms

Denver Barkey, Lehigh Valley Phantoms

Andrew Cristall, Hershey Bears

Gabe Perreault, Hartford Wolf Pack

Joey Larson, Bridgeport Islanders

Chase Pietila, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

Ty Murchison, Lehigh Valley Phantoms

Dans Locmelis, Providence Bruins

Simon Zajicek, Providence Bruins

MCKEEN’S 2025-26 NHL YEARBOOK – BOSTON BRUINS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #21

Boston Bruins Top-15 Prospects

1 - James Hagens

2 - Fraser Minten

3 - Fabian Lysell

4 - William Moore

5 - Georgii Merkulov

6 - Dans Locmelis

7 - Dean Letourneau

8 - Matej Blumel

9 - Will Zellers

10 - Michael Dipietro

11 - Frederic Brunet

12 - Chris Pelosi

13 - Oskar Jellvik

14 - Elliott Groenewold

15 - Riley Duran

2025 NHL PROSPECTS REPORT: #27 BOSTON BRUINS – Top 15 NHL Affiliated Prospects

MCKEEN’S 2024-25 NHL YEARBOOK – BOSTON BRUINS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #31

Boston Bruins Top-15 Prospects

1. Fabian Lysell

2. Dean Letourneau

3. Brandon Bussi

4. Georgi Merkulov

5. John Farinacci

6. Oskar Jellvik

7. Justin Brazeau

8. Riley Duran

9. Michael DiPietro

10. Alec Regula

11. Andre Gasseau

12. Trevor Kuntar

13. Dans Locmelis

14. Brett Harrison

15. Jonathan Morello

MCKEEN’S 2024 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #27 Boston Bruins – Organization Overview – Top 15 Prospects

1. Fabian Lysell, RW, Providence Bruins (AHL)

2. Brandon Bussi, G, Providence Bruins (AHL)

3. Georgii Merkulov, C, Providence Bruins (AHL)

4. John Farinacci, C, Providence Bruins (AHL)

5. Oskar Jellvik, LW, Boston College (NCAA)

6. Reid Dyck, G, Swift Current Broncos (WHL)

7. Justin Brazeau, RW, Providence Bruins (AHL)

8. Riley Duran, C, Providence Bruins (AHL)

9. Alec Regula, D, Providence Bruins (AHL)

10. Michael Dipietro, G, Providence Bruins (AHL)

2024 WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP – December 30th Game Recaps + Three Stars

Switzerland 6, Norway 2

Latvia 6, Germany 2

Three stars

#1 Jonas Taibel - Switzerland

Prospect System Ranking – 20th (Last Year - 21st)
GM: Don Sweeney Hired: May 2015
COACH: Marco Sturm Hired: June 2025