( Photo Credit: Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

By: Jonathan Turcotte | Follow me on Twitter / X @akaJonnyT

As the Boston Bruins prepare for the 2026 National Hockey League Entry Draft in Buffalo, New York, the team unfortunately finds itself in a familiar position. Holding the 23rd overall pick, General Manager Don Sweeney must decide what to do with Boston’s greatest area of need: right-handed defensemen.

Ever since Brandon Carlo’s departure, the right side behind defenseman Charlie McAvoy has not performed up to expectations. The Bruins desperately need a high-end, right-handed defenseman to anchor their top four for the next decade. Fortunately, there are several intriguing options for the Bruins at this position.

The Aggressive Move: Trading Up

If Boston is going to package the 23rd overall pick with a roster player or a promising prospect to jump into the top 10, they need to be realistic about who they can target.

Taking a look at the top prospect rankings, trying to jump all the way up to snag Keaton Verhoeff at No. 3 or Chase Reid at No. 4 would be entirely too much to ask. Getting into the top five would likely cost more than the Bruins should be willing to pay. However, maneuvering into the bottom of the top 10 to grab Daxon Rudolph at No. 9 or Ryan Lin at No. 10 might be attainable (though it would still be a stretch).

Daxon Rudolph would be an absolute dream scenario if Sweeney can swing a deal for the No. 9 pick. At 6-foot-2 and over 200 pounds, Rudolph looks like the kind of defenseman Bruins fans can easily picture in black and gold. It’s his offensive production, however, that makes him such an attractive pick. He brings a rare blend of size, high hockey IQ, and power-play upside that would immediately revitalize the right side of Boston’s blue line.

Next up, Ryan Lin’s skating alone should put him on Boston’s radar. While slightly undersized at 5-foot-11, he excels in transition and has the mobility to quickly get the puck out of the defensive zone (which the Bruins were maddeningly deficient at last season). He is widely considered one of the best skaters in the draft class, and his ability to move along the blue line makes him an intriguing option if Boston wants a defenseman who can help drive play for years to come.

If Sweeney wants a dynamic righty like Lin or a complete package like Rudolph, he’ll have to pick up the phone, find a partner in the top 10, and pay a premium to move up.

The “Stay Put” Option: Juho Piiparinen

If the asking price to move into the top 10 is too steep, the Bruins might just get a gift right at their doorstep.

Sitting right at No. 22 on the EliteProspects consolidated ranking is Juho Piiparinen. Standing at 6-foot-3, Piiparinen’s game is built around physicality and shutting down opposing forwards. Because he is ranked exactly one spot ahead of Boston’s picking position, Sweeney wouldn’t necessarily need to lose any assets to obtain him. He could stand pat at No. 23 and hope Piiparinen drops to them.

The “Trade Down” Candidates: Tommy Bleyl and Adam Goljer

However, if Piiparinen is off the board or Boston wants to maximize their draft capital, the lower half of the rankings opens up a highly lucrative alternative. The Bruins could potentially trade down from No. 23, slide back into the early second round, acquire a desperately needed extra draft pick (perhaps a second or third-rounder), and still target one of these two wildcards:

  • Tommy Bleyl (Ranked #39): Bleyl’s biggest selling point is his offensive upside. At 18 years old, Bleyl demonstrates great confidence with the puck and already shows that he has what it takes to eventually become a true power-play quarterback.
  • Adam Goljer (Ranked #43): A massive, steady, stay-at-home presence who brings the exact kind of clear-the-crease grit the Bruins’ bottom pairings have lacked.

Let’s see if Don Sweeney aggressively trades up to secure an elite talent like Lin or Rudolph, holds firm for a physical force like Piiparinen, or maneuvers down the board to get the most value (sorry if I’m starting to sound like Belichick) to acquire a guy like Bleyl or Goljer later on. Or maybe he’ll throw a curveball and make a massive roster trade altogether. Stay tuned for more draft coverage from the BNG team!