By: Brendan Pounds | Follow me on Twitter / X @BOSunofficialGM
There may be a world where one of Matthew Schaefer, Michael Misa, or James Hagens could possibly fall to the Boston Bruins when the organization makes the seventh selection in the upcoming National Hockey League Entry Draft. Unfourtunely, that’s not the world we live in and with the recent draft lottery pushing the B’s back from fifth to seventh, most of those player mentioned are now potentially out of reach. Of those three, it appears Hagens has the highest likelihood of falling to seventh overall, but it is much more likely that he gets selected 1st overall by the New York Islanders than dropping to 7th overall. For this article, those three players are off the board. So let’s dive in:
Tier 1 – Should Be No-Brainers, if Available:
Anton Frondell, C/LW, Left-shot, 6’1″, 196 lbs
Frondell is a two-way/sniper C that finished with 11-14-25 in 29 games for Djurgardens IF in the Swe-2 with 3-4-7 over 16 playoff games to help Djurgardens IF graduate to the Swe-1. If there is one trait you should know about Frondell, it’s his shot, one of the best in the class. He can beat a goalie one-on-one with a heavy slapshot or powerful wrister with solid accuracy. He also uses his shot to manipulate defenders to open up passing lanes. His shot is a unique trait that will look wonderful on an NHL PP sooner-than-later.
The other part of his game that I like is his physicality. While he might not be a pure forechecker / wrecking ball-type, like a Brady Martin, he is not afraid of contact either. He will take contact to move the puck, apply reverse hits to maintain possession, and use his strength to win battles along the boards. He can dish it, he can take it. However, his forechecking is relatively inconsistent for someone who will often dump and chase, but he has some old-school hockey that would endear many Bruins fans.
The other parts of his game are solid, but not spectacular, like his skating, playmaking, and hockey IQ. His skating is fine, but lacks explosiveness. It can be a tick above average when he’s fully developed, but he has some ways to go to be able to skate against the first lines in the NHL, which is where his ceiling is. This is his biggest drawback; it will be at least NHL average.
His playmaking is also fine. I think he has sneaky good hands, but he can get slightly overwhelmed when under pressure, which can cause turnovers or miss open passing lanes. He can also get caught puck-watching on defense from time to time. All of that said, he is a 17-year-old playing amongst men, which, in my opinion, can explain both of these drawbacks. He still ended up with 25 points in 29 games and a championship.
Overall, I think his upside is that of a superstar, two-way C with a howitzer of a shot. He has been compared to Sasha Barkov, but I think Frondell’s profile is more unique because of his shot (not necessarily better). His skating and play under pressure need to improve to reach this ceiling as he can go invisible at times, like during the U18s, but even then it is essential to remember that he is one of the youngest players in this draft class playing against men and even in the U18s he flew overseas immediately after coming off the Swe-2 playoffs and winning a championship. His unique shot, physicality, and age while playing against men are what I like about him. If Frondell fell to 7th overall for the Bruins to take, it should be an absolute no-brainer for Sweeney and co.
Porter Martone, RW, Right-shot, 6’3″, 207 lbs
I know, I know. Martone is not a C, but that doesn’t mean the Bruins should pass up that opportunity if he somehow slips to 7th overall. I am not a big fan of drafting for need over best available, especially when there is a clear gap between best available and need.
With 37-61-98 in only 57 regular season games, plus another 4-5-9 in just six playoff games for the Brampton Steelheads of the OHL, Martone is ranked as high as #3 and as low as #6.
So what’s to like about Martone’s game? Martone is a point machine. He can dish the puck and bury it. His hockey IQ, playmaking, and shot are excellent. In my opinion, his handling is also underrated, despite already being a respected part of his game.
Additionally, he is a player who has size AND uses it. He is not so heavy on the forecheck, but he uses his size appropriately to protect the puck, fight for positioning, and win in dirty areas. His playmaking and hockey IQ both shine when he draws attention from defenders as he attacks the prime areas of the ice to create scoring opportunities for teammates. He warrants that attention because of his size and ability to shoot the puck. His wrister is beautiful to watch, and he has an excellent release. He can be a top-3 scorer on a contending team.
The weakest part of Martone’s game is his skating. That is not to say it’s low-end, though. He has pretty good speed when he gets going, but it takes him a while to do so. He needs to add explosiveness to his skating to help him reach his ceiling as a first-line RW.
Oh, did I mention his player comp? Matt Tkachuk or a better skating version of Corey Perry.
At 7th overall, that type of profile is a no-brainer for the Bruins. Even though Martone is not a C, he would be an excellent addition, if available (which he should not be).
Tier 2 – Maybe He Falls:
Caleb Desnoyers, C, Left-shot, 6’2″, 175 lbs
Desnoyers is a little bit of a polarizing prospect. Not as polarizing as some, like McQueen, but he is ranked as high as #3 and as low as #16, according to Elite Prospects. Desnoyers is just a winner. Here’s his resume: U18 WJC gold, Hlinka Gretzky Cup gold, QMJHL Champion with Moncton, QMJHL All-Rookie Team, QMJHL First All-Star Team, and QMJHL Playoffs MVP (Guy Lafleur Trophy). Not bad.
So let’s dive into his profile. Desnoyers is a true two-way C, and was the best player on the best team in the QMJHL. He only recently turned 18 in April. He doesn’t offer one spectacular trait, but every trait is at least solid. Nothing is “suspect” about his game, except his size, but he has a lot of runway to fill out his 6’2″ frame.
So why should you be excited for someone who doesn’t offer any exciting traits? Simple. I already said it, he’s a winner. His hockey sense and defensive responsibility cannot be taught by how he thinks the game. He makes winning plays in a hard-to-articulate way, but I’ll try. He knows where to be, where to put the puck, when to take chances, and when to be aggressive. He does the “little things” really well and is highly reliable, which is why many pundits give him a “safe” top-6 ceiling. Safe doesn’t sound exciting, but it is when you also have a player with a lot of physical runway to improve other traits, like his skating and shot, which are already solid.
I’ll be honest, his playoffs have moved the needle for me. He had already put up 35-49-84 in just 56 games during the regular season, but then added another 9-21-30 in 19 playoff games. He appears to be playing with more determination and authority with added stakes, and I love a player who can rise to the occasion. He controls the play, creates lanes, makes smart plays, and takes calculated risks. It’s easy to see him as a safe, two-way 2C with the possibility of being something more.
Player comps: Sean Couturier, Jonathan Toews.
If any surprises inside the top six picks push Desnoyers to 7th overall, I don’t see a scenario where the Bruins pass him up, especially considering the rumors of a heavy Sweeney presence at Moncton playoff games.
Tier 3 – The Likely Options:
Assuming the draft goes “chalk” and the top six guys are off the board in Schaefer, Misa, Hagens, Martone, Frondell, and Desnoyers, this is the tier that the Bruins will most likely be picking from. It’s not a bad crop, just not as exciting or carrying the same upside/floor combination as tiers 1 and 2.
Jake O’Brien, C, Right-shot, 6’2″, 170 lbs
This year, Jake O’Brien was a fast riser and won’t turn 18 until June 16. Another polarizing prospect due to this rise, he was recently ranked the 4th best North American skater by NHL Central Scouting (behind Shaefer, Misa, Hagens, and ahead of Mrtka, Martone, Desnoyers, McQueen, in that order), and is ranked as low as 26th by Recruit Scouting, according to Elite Prospects. He is generally expected to go inside or around the top 10, which aligns with where the Bruins are picking.
What does Jake O’Brien offer? He is a pass-first, pure playmaking C. 32-66-98 in 66 games for Brantford in the OHL, plus another 3-8-11 in 11 playoff games. That’s 66 assists in 66 games. Passing is his bread and butter as a player. He uses his advanced hockey IQ to create lanes, slows the play down, and waits for a play to materialize if he jumps ahead of his teammates to showcase this unique ability. If you’re looking for unique traits, O’Brien’s passing would qualify and gives him top-PP, strong 2C upside.
What does he need to improve upon? There’s more to add in this section than in the previous tiers. O’Brien has more development ahead of him, and it may take a couple of years before he helps any team at the NHL level. First and foremost, he needs to add bulk to his 6’2″ frame, especially for someone who doesn’t play a physical game. He’s not a soft player, but he is undersized. He offers good compete levels on the backcheck and can play future PK minutes, but he needs to add bulk to do so effectively.
He must also work on his skating, which will improve with added bulk as well. I’d like to see more improvement in his north-south game by adding explosiveness to put defenders more on their heels. Lastly, he has a good shot but simply needs to use it more. He had 32 goals last year, but had a shooting percentage over 20%. He picks his spots to shoot, which translates to his high rate, but it’s unsustainable to say he will shoot over 20% at the NHL level. That said, 32 goals are 32 goals.
To me, these weaknesses are part of his identity as a pass-first, playmaking C. He could become an exceptional player if he developed more of a killer mentality. You can’t really rewire a player’s thinking, though. As he is, he still offers a top-6 playmaking C who can play both PP and PK minutes, which is excellent upside and value at 7th overall. However, depending on how his shot develops, he could have another gear beyond that.
Player comps: Robert Thomas with less skating ability. Dare I say it? I’m going to say it… I see some Krejci in his game. He has the type of game that typically ages well.
Roger McQueen, C, Right-shot, 6’5″, 195 lbs
McQueen is the ultimate wild card in this draft. Before the back injury, it was wondered if he could crack the top-3 of the draft alongside Schaefer, Misa, and Hagens. He put up 10-10-20 over 17 games and returned for 1-0-1 over three playoff games, but we all know what he is. He’s a boom/bust and is a high-upside selection because of his size and skating ability. Some say he could have the highest upside in the entire class.
If McQueen’s medicals check out, he could easily be a candidate to crack the top six picks in this draft. I have him as a “sleeper” pick for the Utah MAMMOTH (I’m a fan) at 4th overall, who would be an excellent complement to Cooley as a top-6 C.
If he’s healthy, he offers solid or better traits across the board, all bottled up in a 6’5″ frame with more physical runway available. He’s a power playmaker. He skates well, and not just for his size. He can put defenders on their heels. He protects the puck well. He has excellent hands. Solid vision and playmaking ability. His transition game is strong. His shot? Also above average.
What does he need to work on? Honestly, the biggest thing that stood out to me was his shooting accuracy, but that’s reaching. It is easy to see why he could become the best player in this class. His tape is fun to watch.
At the end of the day, I’m torn about whether or not the Bruins should swing for McQueen. On the one hand, the Bruins drafted a similar player type last year, Dean Letourneau. On the other hand, McQueen is a better version that is much more physical, a trait I love in players with size. The injury concerns are legitimate. If the medicals look good, then take the swing. If the medicals look good, he will probably not be available at 7th overall. Either way, that would be a good situation for the Bruins because it would mean that players like Desnoyers, Frondell, or Martone are more likely to fall into their laps if someone else takes that swing on McQueen beforehand.
Victor Eklund, RW, Right-shot, 5’11”, 161 lbs
According to Elite Prospects, Eklund is ranked as high as the #2 European skater by NHL Central Scouting and as low as #10 by Daily Faceoff. Eklund is the type of player that I think the Bruins were hoping to get when they drafted Lysell. Both are similar players of similar size, but Eklund is a much better all-around player. The most significant difference between the two for me is the attitude. Eklund has ZERO quit in his game and will hunt down pucks like his life depends on it. He’ll scrap in the corner against men, despite his slight frame. Lysell can be that player, but it’s not in him between the ears to be that. Based on Mougenel’s comments about “finding answers” in the AHL playoffs, coupled with the fact that Lysell was a healthy scratch, it appears that Lysell might not be in the plans for the Bruins moving forward (if we’re reading between the lines).
Back to Eklund, who contributed 19-12-31 over 42 regular season games, and another 2-5-7 in 16 playoff games for Djurgardens IF (teammate of Anton Frondell).
What I love most in Eklund’s game is that ZERO quit ability. He is a MENACE. Nobody tell him that he’s 5’11”, 161 lbs, he won’t believe you anyway. He pairs his compete with his other top trait (skating) to wreak havoc on the forecheck and fight for pucks. He skates very well, is very evasive, and will put defenders on their heels. He shoots with solid accuracy, although his shot is not overpowering, which makes sense given his size. He gets to the good areas of the ice with and without the puck. He has solid vision and excellent hands that play well with his speed.
The downside? Size. He’s undersized in height and weight, making it difficult to establish himself at his top-line RW ceiling, but he still offers top-6 RW upside. He is a really fun player that fans would love.
Player comps: Jesper Bratt and, of course, his brother, William Eklund.
I see Eklund as a reliable and consistent 2RW who can play PP and PK minutes. He would be a fun pick for the Bruins at 7th overall, even though he is not a center. If this is the pick, I would not expect Lysell to be part of the organization long-term.
Jackson Smith, LHD, Left-shot, 6’3″, 195 lbs
You cannot sleep on Smith. Do the Bruins need another LHD with Lindholm, Lohrei, Zadorov already with the big club, and prospects like Brunet, Johansson, Groenewold, and even Edward in the system? Probably not, but Smith is a “My Guy” for this draft.
Smith just turned 18 on May 13, and offers good size at 6’3″, 195 lbs. There is a ton to like about his game. He skates really well, and not just for his size. He can put defenders on their heels and has confidence in transition with the puck. He also offers some snarl in his game and knocks guys off their skates, which Bruins fans love to see. He has a solid shot to pair with the skating, and he’s just learning how good it is. He put up 11-43-54 in 68 games, plus another 1-2-3 in five playoff games for the Tri-City Americans of the WHL. He also added 4-1-5 in the U18 WJC, earning gold with Canada. He is ranked as high as #5 by McKeen’s Hockey and as low as #15 by Recruit Scouting. He’s a smooth-skating, two-way LHD with clear top-4 upside.
What can he work on? Well, sometimes he joins the rush a little more than he should. He has excellent physical tools and knows it, which can put him in some tough spots defensively by being too aggressive offensively. Recruit Scouting may have said it best: “he is more of an athlete than a hockey player.” If it all clicks for him, he could be a strong top-line LHD and an excellent contributor to the PP and PK. With more maturity in his game, the sky is the limit for him.
Player Comps: Miro Heiskanen and Kevin Korchinski.
Again, do the Bruins need another raw LHD to add to the system? Probably not, but if they selected Smith, I wouldn’t lose my mind as much as some might.
Brady Martin, C/RW, Right-shot, 6’0″, 175 lbs
I’m adding Brady Martin to this tier because it almost seems like I have to, given the amount of steam this has been getting since the U18s.
33-39-72 in 57 games, plus another 2-2-4 in five playoff games for the Soo Greyhounds of the OHL. He added 3-8-11 in seven games at the U18s, winning gold for Canada. He is ranked as high as the 11th-best North American skater by NHL Central Scouting, and as low as #27 by Recruit Scouting.
It will be a tough day if the Bruins take Martin at 7th overall. Not because Martin is a bad player. I think he’s great and would be an awesome middle-six spark-plug on a playoff team, but his upside, at least to me, is limited. He seems more concerned about bringing energy than reading or making the right plays. His playmaking is more reactive than manipulative. He’ll create a ton of pressure and cause havoc on the forecheck, and that is a really fun player, but not at 7th overall. There WILL be players with better upside and a similar floor here. For example, Victor Eklund offers the same motor with more offensive upside.
The downside to Martin? His hockey sense. It’s below average and will hold him back. That’s one of the traits that is tremendously difficult to teach. Reading plays, manipulating defenders, creating lanes, finding lanes, and making the smart play are all part of what separates the good from the great when the physical skills are equal, and Martin has a lot of good physical skills. Again, I think he’s a really fun player with fun attributes that can help the Bruins, but not at 7th overall. I would love him as a greasy 3C or 3RW that can offer scoring touch, draw penalties, create turnovers, and help a PK.
Player Comp: I’ve seen Sam Bennett comps, but I also see some Brendan Gallagher in his game.
Again, a really fun player that can be a good pro, but not someone I would want the Bruins to select at 7th overall. If Sweeney thinks his hockey sense can come around to his motor, this breakdown may look silly, but until that day, I would be anti-Martin at 7th overall.
The Ideal Pick
In an ideal world, the pick for the Bruins is Misa. The Bruins greatly lack players who can put defenders on their heels and open lanes with their natural skating ability. Lysell is the closest thing they have to doing that, and it seems like he won’t be part of the organization much longer, given that he was a healthy scratch in the AHL playoffs this year. However, we do not live in an ideal world, and Misa will not be available to the Bruins unless they trade up to 1 or 2, which is highly unlikely.
The Hopeful Pick
More realistically, the hope is that a surprise pick in the top six will push a prospect down to the Bruins at 7th overall. If McQueen’s medicals check out or a team decides they want to go defense and take Smith or Mrtka earlier than anticipated, one of these players will drop to the Bruins. All it takes is one surprise in the top six of the draft to acquire one of the top-level prospects. If that were the case, my most hopeful and realistic players to fall to the Bruins would be Anton Frondell or Caleb Desnoyers.
The Realistic Pick
Jake O’Brien.
If O’Brien’s skating was any better, he could be a top-five pick, but his playmaking is so good that he might become a top-five pick anyway. His north-south game is that part of his game that needs the most improvement, but you can only improve skating by so much. It will at least be average, and his playmaking is something special. He can also manipulate the pace of play with the puck on his stick and has excellent hands. If the pick is O’Brien, he offers more playmaking ability than anyone in the system. He just lacks the footspeed to put defenders on their heels, and if that’s the memo for the entire Bruins roster, it will be difficult for his playmaking to truly shine against defenders who can play more aggressively at the NHL level against a team that lacks speed.
Regardless, he offers a good top-6 C upside to facilitate a PP and play responsibly on the PK. It could have possibly been a guy like Frondell at 5th overall if it weren’t for some bad luck in the lottery. Oh well. No sense in crying over spilled milk. O’Brien would still be an excellent piece to add to the pipeline. Adding O’Brien might make a prospect like Poitras available. I also wouldn’t mind taking the chance on McQueen here. If the Bruins like their C depth already, it could also be Eklund, but my current choice is O’Brien.
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