The Boston Bruins are the first of a handful of NHL teams whose prospect pool isn't the deepest, but Tony Ferrari still examines their strengths and weaknesses.

The second half of July is here, giving us the perfect opportunity to look at each team’s prospect pools, starting the week off with the Boston Bruins.

In this series, Tony Ferrari digs into each team’s strengths and weaknesses, their latest draft class, where their positional depth chart stands, and who could be next in line for a shot at the NHL. Note that a player who no longer holds rookie eligibility in the NHL is considered graduated and no longer considered a prospect for the purposes of these exercises.

Introduction

When you’re as good as the Boston Bruins have been over the last 16 years, and you’re coming off a season where you set the records for the most regular-season wins and points, it’s not a shock that the prospect pipeline is quite barren. They’ve only missed the playoffs twice in that span and have been more than comfortable sending out their first-round picks in trades to bolster the lineup each season. The Bruins have drafted just once inside the top 50 over the last four drafts and just four times inside the top 85 over the same span.

Fabian Lysell is their lone first-round prospect in recent drafts. The 21st overall pick in the 2021 draft plays with speed and skill, blending in a high motor that allows him to forecheck with pace and play a solid two-way game for a winger. Lysell can play up and down the lineup because of that blend of traits. At his peak, he is a dangerous top-six scorer. He does tend to disappear offensively at times, though, so the versatility of playing lower in the lineup is valuable. Where he lands will be an interesting development for the Bruins and the 20-year-old top prospect.

John Beecher played his first full season of pro hockey and had mixed results. The offensive production lagged behind a bit, with just 23 points in 61 games for the 22-year-old. He plays a power game, and adjusting to the pro level can take time for players who rely on strength and size, so there’s no reason to be discouraged about his development. Beecher could play NHL reps this year as the Bruins look to retool their lineup as an era seemingly comes to an end.

Brett Harrison and Matthew Poitras were among the most productive players in the OHL. Harrison will likely be a fixture with the Providence Bruins this upcoming season. Poitras is going to cap off his OHL career hoping to find himself among the leagues leading scorers. They are both likely a year or two away from the NHL as both will need to ramp up to the pace of pro hockey but they have some promise

The blueline is a bit thinner for the Bruins. Mason Lohrei signed out of college last season after two solid years with Ohio State but he has a way to go before breaking into the NHL lineup and likely tops out as a second-pair defender if he reaches his full potential. Jonathan Myrenberg is an interesting prospect that was acquired for Jack Studnicka last season. He has been slowly developing in Sweden and could come over to North America after next season but he’s a ways away from the NHL still.

Overall, the Bruins aren’t exactly deep when it comes to prospects but that’s the price you pay for excellence. They may be looking to infuse talent over the next couple of years though as players such as Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci, and others age out of the game.

2023 NHL Draft Class

Round 3, 92nd overall - Christopher Pelosi, C, Sioux Falls (USHL)

Round 4, 124th overall - Beckett Hendrickson, C/W, U.S. NTDP (USHL)

Round 6, 188th overall - Ryan Walsh, LW, Cedar Rapids (USHL)

Round 7, 214th overall - Casper Nassen, RW, Vasteras J20 (Sweden Jr.)

Round 7, 220th overall - Kristian Kostadinski, LD, Frolunda J20 (Sweden Jr.)

With limited draft capital and only one pick inside the top 100, the Bruins' likelihood of adding an impact player at the NHL draft was slim. They did well with the picks that they had in terms of making bets on players that may find their way to the NHL with development and patience.

Pelosi has some skill around the net with finishing ability in tight and the strength to stand his ground in tight. He lacks any one truly upper-tier skill which could hold him back from getting to the NHL, but with a commitment to playing at Quinnipiac in 2024-25, he will have plenty of time to develop.

The Bruins selected NTDP forward Beckett Hendrickson in the fourth round, which was a bit later than some had thought he’d go. He was a solid complementary contributor for the U.S. U-18 squad and could be the best player from their draft class. Hendrickson is a slick passer who needs to get a bit more consistent.

Strengths

The Bruins system doesn’t really have a ton of strengths. They have a few nice wingers in Lysell, Harrison, and Lauko, that all have good shots at being NHLers. Poitras and Pelosi are candidates to move to the wing as well, which would strengthen their prospect pool on the flanks. If we’re being honest, though, the Bruins’ strength isn’t apparent, and they will need to build their pipeline up from essentially nothing over the next couple of years.

Weaknesses

While their strength is not apparent, their weakness is. Their defensive pipeline is barren. Lohrei has some potential, but the upside is very limited. Beyond Lohrei, they don’t have anyone that even projects as a bottom-end NHLer. The Bruins have been so good at plugging holes with external options that they have survived to this point, but an emphasis on adding young defenders should be made.

Next Man Up: Fabian Lysell, W

The Bruins may have some open roster spots come training camp, and Lysell may be the player who can step in and play in any role asked of him. Whether he is needed as a middle-six scorer or as a bottom-six energy player, Lysell could fit in. The young Swede could be a part-time player at the NHL level next season, playing in most games while rotating in and out of the lineup with a veteran until he can win the job outright.

Prospect Depth Chart Notables

LW: Brett Harrison, Jakub Lauko, Beckett Hendrickson

C: John Beecher, Matthew Poitras, Christopher Pelosi, Dans Locmelis

RW: Fabian Lysell, Oskar Steen

LD: Mason Lohrei, Frederic Brunet

RD: Jonathan Myrenberg

G: Reid Dyck, Brandon Bussi

For a deeper dive into the prospect pool with player rankings, check out the Yearbook, Prospects Unlimited and Future Watch print editions of The Hockey News. 

Correction: Matthew Poitras is eligible for the OHL in 2023-24.