We could easily limit down the Bruins’ options if they had won one of the lottery’s top two spots. Most draftniks and mock drafters believe that the first two picks are guaranteed. Center Michael Misa and defenseman Matthew Schaefer are scheduled to play 1-2.
It’s a free-for-all after that, though. Regarding the position of specific players between No. 3 and No. 10, opinions vary greatly. A good prospect should be selected by the Boston Bruins, who were pushed down two spots from their fifth-worst finish to have the seventh overall pick (until they trade out of it, of course). But according to history, the top 10 will include a few lemons. The B’s must stay away from them because of their circumstances.
The Boston Bruins could select any one of these eight guys on Friday night. We’ve ranked the pivots first because of the organizational necessity to draft and nurture a No. 1 centerman. There is no order except from that:
* Soo Greyhounds, OHL, Brady Martin, C The Bruins’ lineup used to be dominated by traditional Canadian farm boys. Not as much now. The only Canadian players remaining on the team after Brad Marchand’s departure were Morgan Geekie, Parker Wotherspoon, and the recently signed Fraser Minten. While it’s true that talented athletes are being created elsewhere, including in our own neighborhood, Martin would be a throwback Bruin. Martin is now a powerful 6-foot, 186-pound right-shot centerman who grew up on a dairy farm in Ontario. For the Greyhounds, he played in every position and recorded 33-39-72 totals in 57 games. Martin plays a well-rounded game and is a gritty, hard-hitting hitter. The organization is at least interested in the player, since Martin attested during the scouting combine that the Bruins took him out to dinner that week.
* Brantford Bulldogs, OHL’s Jake O. Brien, C The 177-pound, 6-foot-2 right-shot O Brien resembles David Krejci in certain ways. He is a smart, pass-first pivot who can slow down play. In 66 games, he tore up the OHL for 32-66-98 totals. He possesses a great hockey IQ and excellent vision. O Brien is a touch lanky, and his skating would be better with extra strengthening, particularly in his lower region. He has demonstrated a propensity to push his nose into those, but overall, his wiry physique needs some filling out to help in battle. Additionally, after finishing below 45% in faceoffs, he needs to get better if he wants to remain a centerman.
* Moncton Wildcats, C, Caleb Desnoyers, QMJHL Prior to the Wildcats losing to the London Knights in the Memorial Cup, the 6-foot-2, 178-pound left-handed pivot led Moncton to the Q championship. With totals of 35-49-84 in 56 games, he led Moncton. For a player who had been battling two wrist injuries since November, those were rather good totals. One scout recently remarked, “He’s the guy you want on the ice in the last minute taking the defensive zone draw and protecting a one-goal lead,” despite the fact that some have given him the very backhanded praise of being the safe selection. He is victorious. In some mock drafts, he is selected higher than the Bruins’ No. 7 pick, while in others, he is selected lower. The B’s should jump in if he’s there at seven.
* James Hagens, C., Boston University Hagens started the previous season as the world’s top prospect. He wasn’t a freshman sensation like Macklin Celebrini, who was selected first overall in June of last year. As a 17-year-old, he started on BC’s top line and was simply excellent for the Eagles. He stumbled slightly as Michael Misa and Matthew Schaefer passed him. But, depending on where he goes, he will be selected in the top ten. He finished 37 games for the Eagles with 11-26-37 totals, centered around first-round picks Ryan Leonard and Gabriel Perrault. Although those metrics point to a pass-first strategy, it makes sense to get the puck to those two guys when you’re playing with them. His height of 5’11” and weight of 177 pounds make it difficult for him to get on ice, but his skill level is remarkable.
* Swe-2, Djurarden, C., and Anton Frondell While some believe Frondell will place among the top three, others are less impressed by the strong 6-foot, 196-pound left-handed pivot. In both club and international games, he has shown some inconsistency in his game. Even if it’s unclear how much of an influence Frondell will make, it’s clear that he plays in the NHL. Is he a middle-six center or a lead dog, though? He can beat the goaltender from a distance and is of the shoot-first type, unlike some of the other centers in this group. Although he is one of the heavier-playing centers, a solid scouting combine earlier this month allayed worries about his level of fitness.
* Brandon Wheat Kings, Roger McQueen, C, WHL Perhaps the most promising player in the draft is the 6-foot-5, 197-pound right-shot pivot, but he also raises the largest warning flag. Due to back issues, he missed the majority of the previous season in Brandon. Though he didn’t play enough, he was good when he did play, recording 10-10-20 in 17 games. Although most mock drafts had McQueen in the top twelve, the Bruins wouldn’t exactly be going off the board with him, but GM Don Sweeney would have to take a risk. Last season, they also selected Dean Letourneau, a similarly framed center who failed to produce from a fourth line position at BC.
* Brampton, OHL; Porter Martone, RW The type of power forward that many Bruins supporters drool over, Martone is one of the non-centers on this list of potential players. He is 208 pounds and 6 feet 3 inches tall, so he isn’t particularly agile, but he does have a physicality. However, with 37 goals and 98 points in 57 games, he also possesses elite technique and playmaking abilities. That combo of size and skill may trigger a team to take him before No. 7, but it will be interesting if he s still around when the B s are picking.
* LW, Djurgarden, Swe-2, Victor Eklund The B s may have their quota of small and skilled Swedish wingers filled with Fabian Lysell, but the 5-foot-11, 165-pound Eklund is billed as a player who punches above his weight class. He is a fiercely aggressive, high-energy player who can drive a line from the wing. Eklund, Frondell’s teammate, finished with 19-12-31 totals in 42 games for Djurgarden. While the heart has not been questioned, there is no getting around the size disadvantage. He’ll have to strengthen himself. However, his originality and burst may be alluring.
