Above Photo Credits: Elite Prospects .com (Left) and Mass. high School Sports (Right)

By Mark Allred Follow Me On Twitter @BlackAndGold277

On yesterday’s Black N’ Gold Hockey Podcast with co-hosts Court Lalonde and Rob Tomlin, we looked at the first two rounds of the upcoming National Hockey League Entry Draft held next Friday at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. As of right now the Boston Bruins don’t have the third and fifth selection and later rounds being a “crap shoot,” we focused our attention to the first two selections for time reasons on the show and thought it would be a cool idea to write about it as well.

I believe the Bruins should target a versatile forward with the 18th pick and go, goaltender when they come back around in the second round with the 53rd pick. I know it’s trendy in Boston to look for defensive needs first but looking at the prospect pool, I think this organization can go a year or two without a problem addressing the defensive position. The second round pick I’d like to see this organization go goaltender to add to the depth but to also map his development according to the Bruins plans and the prospects ahead in the prospect pool. I’m all for proper development for all the goaltenders

I’m all for proper development of goaltenders in the various minor/NCAA levels taking their time in school and use this pick as a timeline to a possible pro career that could see the likes of a Dan Vladar in the prospect tandem in Providence, Rhode Island with the Baby B’s. Both Zane McIntyre and Malcolm Subban are slated to become restricted free agents as of July 1st, and both will be looking for new deals regardless of who’s coming and going in the upcoming hockey madness that is the offseason. Who knew the offseason could be so exciting! Definitely, my favorite down time interest is how an NHL organization builds for the now and the future at the top level in the world

Below are my favorites when the Bruins step to the podium to make dreams come true and set the trail for future pros. After doing my homework and due diligence with the fantastic website draft content available now, and the podcasts to listen, I came up with these two talented players that could be that diamond in the rough type player and hope you enjoy the information that’s shared about them.

With the Bruins first round selection in the 2017 National Hockey League Entry Draft, the Boston Bruins are proud to select…..

Kailer Yamamoto

( Above Photo Credit: NHL .com )

A quick player with a high hockey IQ for the young star for the Spokane, Washington native playing for the Spokane Chiefs of the Western Hockey League. The versatile forward can play the center and left wing position, but a few websites have him spending a little time on the right side as well. I believe with the way he can potentially be slotted anywhere on a forward line might be an asset that the Bruins might not want to pass up if he’s in fact, available when the Bruins pick in the 18th position of the first round.

Not only is the 18-year-olds speed and skill amazing to watch, I find his vision and knack to be at the right place at the right time one of his better attributes. Don’t let the 5″-8″ size fool you as he’s a player with uncanny determination to drive the net and create opportunities for those dirty goals. His shot and quick release is a pleasure to watch as he’s mostly the pivot point on the Chiefs power-play with his blast of a shot and down low one-timers.

Selected by the Spokane team in the fifth round of the WHL Bantam draft, the crafty forward has spent the last three seasons with the Chiefs playing in 190 games contributing 84-143-227 career numbers. Also a key member of the United States Developmental Program under 17 and under 18 International tournaments representing the United States. The 2016-17 WHL regular season was by far his best year ranking him sixth in the league with 42-57-99 numbers including 10 power-play goals and 25 power-play assists so a player like him would be my best selection if I were doing the decision making.

https://youtu.be/I1rKsVT757Y

With the second round selection in the 2017 National Hockey League Entry Draft, the Boston Bruins are proud to select…..

Keith Petruzzelli

( Above Photo Credit: Inside Hockey )

As stated above I’d like to see the Bruins go after a goaltender with their second round pick and I believe that selection should be Massachusetts native Keith Petruzzelli. Now I know a few reading this are thinking what about the talents of Micheal DiPietro who just won a CHL Memorial Cup or how about Boston University’s Jake Ottinger who’s close by and easily available to close proximity scouting? There’s no question those goaltenders are outstanding prospects but are they going to be available when the Bruins pick at #53? I’m not too sure of that and as always, remains to be seen.

I do believe Petruzzelli who’s a Wilbraham, Massachusetts kid who grew up loving the Bruins. He’s the second-ranked North American Goaltender by NHL Central Scouting and played last season with the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the United States Hockey League a development program for aspiring collegiate players. Petruzzelli is committed to Quinnipiac University in the fall, and the timing for his professional debut regardless of the level of minor-pro placement may work to the Bruins advantages when actually called upon. Quinnipiac’s Head coach Rand Pecknold and coaching staff have really turned that school around and have seen a wave of successful goaltenders anchoring the last line of defense for the Bobcats in recent years.

In 35 games played for the USHL Lumberjacks the 6′-6″ 190-pound netminder had a 22-10-0-1 record in 2016-17 accompanied by a 2.40 goals-against-average and .918 save percentage. Keith also spent time with the Springfield Cathedral High School team and splitting time with the junior select programs such as the Junior Bruins (USPHL 16U) and Springfield Rifles (MHSL U16) from 2013-14 to 2015-15. This season his rankings during his rookie season in the USHL were 13th in games played (35), 7th in wins (22), 12th in GAA (2.40), 7th in Save%, and had two shutouts.

I think this would be a solid addition to the Bruins developing core in the crease area and believe this season the team should address this as I’ve mentioned above. Next year draft is heavily rumored to be slightly better than this wave of availability via the draft so it’s hard to judge exactly what direction the Bruins want to go with this second selection or address the problem with talent in goal available for the 2018 Draft. Regardless of who and when the Bruins pick this year it’s going to be an exciting time to get everything I need to know about the futures and be prepared to offer my opinion about them to those willing to listen.