The Boston Bruins were lucky enough to land James Hagens with the seventh-overall pick at the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Many expected Hagens not to be available once the Bruins were on the clock, so this is a pick that most are very happy about. The Bruins also selected Will Moore with the 51st overall pick when he was expected to go earlier in the draft. Thus, this undoubtedly has the potential to be a successful draft for the Bruins. 

Yet, the 2025 NHL Entry Draft is not the only one that could end up benefiting the Bruins as they continue their retool. The Bruins' 2022 NHL Entry Draft is on its way to be a very solid one for the Original Six club, and here are a few reasons why. 

Matthew Poitras Could Become Key Forward For Bruins

With the 54th overall pick of the 2022 draft, the Bruins selected Matthew Poitras. The 21-year-old forward has already shown that he can produce some offense at the NHL level, posting six goals and 26 points in 66 games over two seasons. While he went through some growing pains with Boston this season, he thrived with the Providence Bruins after being sent down, recording 17 goals and 41 points in 40 AHL games. 

Heading into next season, Poitras should compete for a spot on the Bruins' opening night roster. The young forward has the tools to blossom into a solid second-line forward in the future, and he has the potential to be a steal of a second-rounder for the Bruins because of it. 

Dans Locmelis Surging AHL Start Is Very Encouraging

Poitras is not the only promising prospect from the Bruins' 2022 draft. With the 119th selection of this draft, the Bruins picked Dans Locmelis, and he has shown good promise. After posting 33 points in 40 games with UMass-Amherst this season, Locmelis signed his entry-level contract and finished the year with Providence. While with Providence, he dominated, as he recorded three goals and 12 points in just six games. 

Locmelis also had a strong World Championship this year, as he recorded four goals and six points in seven games. He notably received praise from Pittsburgh Penguins legend Sidney Crosby during the tournament, so it is hard not to feel optimistic about Locmelis' future with Boston. 

Frederic Brunet Is Trending In Right Direction 

Frederic Brunet was selected by the Bruins with the 132nd overall pick in 2022, and this is starting to look like a potential good move by the Original Six club. Brunet had a solid first season in the AHL with Providence in 2023-24, posting two goals and 12 points in 48 games. However, he took a big step in the right direction this year with Providence, recording five goals, 20 assists, 25 points, and a plus-15 rating in 69 games. 

Brunet's impressive play also grabbed the attention of the Bruins, as he made his NHL debut in Boston's 2024-25 season finale against the New Jersey Devils. Overall, the 6-foot-3 defenseman has shown promise, and it would not be surprising if he sees more action with Boston next season.

Jackson Edward Is Another Intriguing Prospect To Watch

Jackson Edward was taken by the Bruins with the 200th overall pick of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. The 6-foot-2 defenseman just played his first season with Providence, where he posted one goal and seven points in 31 games. He also had a goal and an assist in seven ECHL games with the Maine Mariners. 

While Edward is more of a long-term project for the Bruins, the possibility of him being an NHL defenseman later down the road should not be ruled out. His extremely physical style of play and steady defensive play could allow him to be an impactful shutdown defenseman for Boston if he continues to develop in the right direction. 

5 Bruins Burning Questions For Next Season The 2024-25 season was very disappointing for the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/boston-bruins">Boston Bruins</a>. After entering the campaign with high expectations, they were instead one of the worst teams in the NHL, ending the year with a 33-39-10 record.

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