By: Eamonn McLean | Follow me on Twitter/X @EamonnMcLean44
The first event of the 2026-2027 Boston Bruins season took place this weekend, with the Bruins’ youngsters traveling to Buffalo to take on the Sabres’ prospects in a two-game set. While there were plenty of players to keep an eye on, most eyes in Boston were on James Hagens and Dans Locmelis. So how did they, and the rest of the Bruins prospect pool, do this week?
Europe
Nils Bartholdsson this week for Rogle BK (Champions Hockey League): Two games played, no points, four penalty minutes, Even Plus/Minus.
Bartholdsson played 11:03 in a 5-0 win over Austrian team EC Salzburg, and 5:56 in a 4-0 win over Finnish team Tappara, where he had two shots on goal and a hooking penalty. He doesn’t have a point yet this season.
Yuri Ivanov this week for MHK Spartak-MAH Moskva (MHL): Two games played, 2-0-0 record, .947% save percentage, one shutout, 1.51 goals-against-average.
The Bruins’ first pick in this summer’s Entry Draft began his 2026-27 season this week, and he was stellar, stopping 23/23 shots on Friday against Krylia Sovetov, after stopping 31/34 shots earlier in the week. He isn’t playing for Spartak Moscow’s main MHL team at the moment, but if he keeps this up that should change sooner rather than later.
Matvei Kotkov this week for Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL): Three games played, no points, no penalties, Even Plus/Minus.
Kotkov had one shot on goal on Tuesday in a 3-1 win over the Shanghai Dragons, where he played 6:55. He played 9:43 in a 2-1 overtime win on Thursday over Severstal Cherepovets, and then a season-high 10:27 in a 3-2 win over CSKA Moscow. While Kotkov hasn’t registered a point since scoring in his KHL debut, it’s a good sign that he’s playing this much in the KHL period. It’s not easy to play in the KHL as an 18 year old.
Oscar Olsson this week for Orebro HK U20 (U20 Nationell): Two games played, two assists, two penalty minutes, +2 rating.
Olsson recorded his first points of the season on Friday in a 5-4 shootout loss against Farjestad’s U20 team. The Huddinge, Sweden, native is still looking for his first goal of the year, but it’s not for a lack of trying, as he’s registered eight shots on goal in four games.
Liam Pettersson this week for Djurgardens IF U20 (U20 Nationell): One game played, one assist, no penalties, +3 rating.
Pettersson recorded his first point of the season on Wednesday in a 5-3 win over Brynas IF’s U20 team, and was +3 with two shots on goal. He’s off to a solid start in the Swedish Junior league, but is also dressing regularly as a seventh defenseman for Djurgarden’s SHL team in preseason games.
Kirill Yemelyanov this week for Loko Yaroslavl (MHL): One game played, no points, no penalties, -1 rating.
Yemelyanov played 18:01 in a 3-2 loss to Almaz Cherepovets on Saturday, registering three shots on goal. Despite a strong preseason with Lokomotiv’s KHL team, he’s still looking for his first point in the MHL this season after two games.
Bruins Sweep Prospects Challenge
The Bruins won both games in Buffalo, defeating the Sabres prospects 6-2 on Sunday and 4-3 in overtime this afternoon. The star of the show was, without a doubt, James Hagens, who scored six goals in the two games, more than the Sabres did over the course of the two contests. It’s a big hard to gauge the level of competition in these games, as Buffalo did have a top ten pick on the ice in Radim Mrtka, as well as several players with AHL and ECHL experience, but nobody who has played NHL games. However, it’s hard to deny how well Hagens played. What stood out to me the most, was his shot. He’s been known primarily as a playmaker, and there were flashes of that this weekend too, but each of Hagens’ six goals, were legitimate high-end shots. Even shots on goal he had that didn’t go in, it looked like the Sabres’ netminders were largely struggling to see the puck off of his blade. Very encouraging.
I also thought Dans Locmelis looked good in his return to action post-shoulder surgery. He had a goal on Sunday, as well as several helpers over the two games. His play in all three zones was solid. Cullen McCrate also stood out for me, with a few helpers in the first game. He also broke up a three-on-two rush for the Sabres with a nice poke check this afternoon and transitioned the puck for a chance for the Bruins. His progress in the OHL will be interesting to monitor, he looked pretty comfortable on the point during the Bruins’ power plays.
Finally, shout-out to Black N’ Gold company colleague Jake Ferraro for his in-person coverage of the Prospects Challenge. Jake did a great job representing BNG, and you can follow him on Twitter here.
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