By: Ellie Man | Follow me on Twitter/X @ellieyym
The 2026 National Hockey League Draft has officially wrapped up, with the Boston Bruins making seven selections in total. While the first round was a quiet affair without any picks following the trade deal for JJ Peterka, the Bruins went on to choose their remaining picks in rounds two to seven.
In particular, the Bruins are looking to increase the depth of their prospect pool to better position themselves in the long term. They currently need a top center to drive play down the middle and get more goals on the scoreboard. The team is also eager to acquire mobile, puck-moving defensemen who can play a two-way game. This would allow for greater flexibility throughout the lineup without the risk of breakdowns during transition. This will be key if the Bruins are to reinforce their roster and support their aging veteran players.
These ongoing issues can all be traced back to one event: the 2015 Entry Draft. This was where the Bruins lost out on a golden opportunity to reshape the franchise.
The Bruins had an exciting and rare position, holding onto three consecutive first-round picks. Having missed the playoffs for the first time since 2007 (despite winning the Presidents’ Trophy), the organization went in with an aim to re-find and re-establish what made the Bruins identity. As a result, this draft looked to indicate a new phase where consistency and structure were at the center of the team’s direction.
But things didn’t work out as expected. Jakub Zbořil was selected 13th overall, Jake DeBrusk was picked 14th, and Zachary Senyshyn was the Bruins’ final first-round choice at 15th.
These prospects all showed promise in their junior careers, but failed to make the big impact that the Bruins were hoping for. DeBrusk played seven seasons with the Bruins before being traded to the Vancouver Canucks, posting a career best of 50 points (27G, 23A) across 64 games in 2022-23.
Meanwhile, Zbořil and Senyshyn saw limited time on ice at the National Hockey League level, but struggled to break out despite showing some solid figures with the Providence Bruins. They ultimately couldn’t establish themselves as regular National Hockey League contributors, and both now play in the Czech Extraliga, for the HC Vítkovice and HC Olomouc, respectively.
Hindsight is always 20/20, but the Bruins’ misstep is hard to ignore. Mathew Barzal was drafted 16th overall by the New York Islanders and has established himself as an elite playmaker, winning the Calder Trophy for his impressive rookie year (22G, 63A). Thomas Chabot has been a cornerstone for the Ottawa Senators since being selected 18th. He regularly logs heavy ice time as the team’s number one defenseman.
Brock Boeser (23rd) makes up part of the Vancouver Canucks’ core, with the ability to hide his release before snapping the puck into the back of the net time and time again. Philadelphia Flyers’ Travis Konecny is a pest with a gritty and physical style of play that has helped to make good on his promise to get the team back into the playoffs. He followed Boeser at 24th.
Alternatively, other prospects that the Bruins had passed up on have gone on to surpass expectations despite their later draft positions. Sebastian Aho was selected in the second round at 35th overall, picking up bronze with Team Finland in the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics and the Stanley Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes all in 2026.
Defenseman Vince Dunn was chosen at 56th overall, becoming one of the St. Louis Blues team that defeated the Bruins in the 2019 Stanley Cup Final. Anthony Cirelli, who has proved to be a thorn in the Bruins’ side, even lasted until the third round when he was selected 72nd overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The 2015 Draft had incredible depth, and the Bruins held a prime position, but unfortunately, they continue to be defined by their misses. With the team now desperately needing elite prospects and roster balance, the consequences of that draft just over a decade ago are still being felt today.
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