Welcome to Part Three of the Boston Bruins Mid Season Prospect Update. Be sure to check out Part One and Part Two if you haven’t already. Here, we will look at prospects playing at the AHL level with the Providence Bruins and the ECHL level with the Maine Mariners.
It must be noted that players under ECHL contracts are not Boston Bruins prospects and while technically, neither are those under AHL contract, some of them were invited to Bruins camps and subsequently signed to AHL deals so as not to count towards the 50 NHL contract limit. It can be complicated at times, but we sort that out for you here.
Let’s begin with a quick look at the Maine Mariners. There are less than a handful of players to keep one eye on here. Curtis Hall has only played one game with Maine and has been on the Providence roster ever since, so we’ll get to him a little later. Ryan Mast is under NHL contract and had a slow start to his professional hockey career, but he has started to turn things around and is looking more comfortable. He is currently with Providence as a callup and could get some extended time with injuries on the blueline in both Providence and Boston. Shane Starrett, Owen Pederson and Jimmy Lambert are break-glass-in-case- of-emergency signings by Providence.
That leaves two players: Ethan Ritchie and Adam Mechura. Both were invited to the Bruins rookie camp and both had shown enough to earn an AHL contract. With the Bruins at 47 of the allowable 50 NHL contracts, NHL contracts were out of the question. But I’ll be honest: I have liked Ritchie since his days with the Kingston Frontenacs of the OHL but, it’s Mechura that has a chance of earning an NHL contract here. The big bodied native of Czechia has produced at every level and is showing he can do it as a professional as well. He has a wealth of international experience having represented Czechia in over 70 games. He was eligible to return to the WHL this season – in fact he did for one game to start the year – but the Bruins decided now was the time to bring him in as opposed to waiting next summer where there would be more suitors.
Everyone wants to focus their attention on Providence, so let’s do that. Here’s a look at the Providence Bruins leaders. You will notice a column called “value” This is provided by our friends at Benchrates. Created by a retired hockey player, Benchrates has created and algorithm that computes values in real time. The value you see is the cap hit value they’ve earned this season to date. Give them a look and check out their site.
GEORGII MERKULOV has put in a real effort into rounding out his all-around game. His progression has been quicker than probably even he imagined. He should be ready for full time NHL duty next season. Is he ready for a callup now for a cup of coffee to fill in for injuries? Yes, probably. But I’d be hesitant to do that in meaningless games and bringing him closer to waiver eligibility and taking away the opportunity to send him down in paper transactions to bank cap space next season.
JUSTIN BRAZEAU now in his fourth AHL season with Providence has been a good soldier, but he is not an NHL player. Has he done enough to earn an NHL two-ay contract and help lead the younger Bruins going forward? Yes, probably. There are things younger players could learn from Brazeau and keeping him in the organization could be beneficial moving forward.
JOHN FARINACCI had me a little excited when the Bruins announced this signing just on potential alone. He has me eating my own words because I thought his vision was just average and therefore, would be just an average playmaker. I will gladly accept being wrong as he has shown to be more than capable. But that’s why we keep watching: to see progression. There is still some work to be done here, but I believe his progression is ahead of schedule. He may be destined for a second AHL season next year with some spot duty with the big club.
JESPER BOQVIST has some question surrounding him. Was he a depth signing or a reclamation project when Boston inked him to his one-year deal? My guess is that since he’s on a one-way deal, the Bruins had hoped for the latter. He is an RFA with arbitration rights when the deal expires and while there is still a long way to go this season, he hasn’t shown much with Boston in his callups or in camp. I would add that he hasn’t lived up to expectations in Providence either.
ANTHONY RICHARD After an explosive AHL season a year ago and a decent cup of coffee with the Montreal Canadiens in the NHL, the Bruins took a flyer here and brought him in as a free agent. On pace for just half his production from last season, he’s looking more and more like a depth piece that’s far down the list of potential callups when needed. He will most likely walk as a UFA in the summer.
FABIAN LYSELL has had some controversial comments made about him by coach Ryan Mougenel that get misinterpreted unless you are watching year-over-year. But facts are facts. There are some things he’s needed to get out of his game going back to junior. And they are still there. When you consider the skill set, skating, puck skills and almost everything else, he still has the highest upside of any Bruins prospect. He’s been under Bruins control for two seasons now and has two years remaining on his ELC after this one because of the slide rule.
JAYSON MEGNA was nothing more than a depth signing when the Bruins inked him to a deal in the summer. He’s provided some value in Providence this season but I think that’s as far as it goes. He’s a UFA at the end of the season that likely walks. But you can never be certain, they still have to fill an AHL roster.
LUKE TOPOROWSKI is one of those players I spoke about earlier that signed an AHL deal and then earned an NHL contract. Injuries set him back last season but he was still very productive when he did play. That production has taken a bit of a dip this season so we’re looking for a bounce back in the second half. He was always going to be a project and while he hasn’t really regressed, he hasn’t taken the next step yet.
REILLY WALSH Is Steady Eddie when it comes to production if nothing else. He is on the verge of his third consecutive AHL season of posting almost identical numbers. The Bruins lacked right shot defencemen in the system and within a matter of hours acquired Walsh (New Jersey Devils), Alec Regula and Ian Mitchell (Chicago Blackhawks). It was a depth move and like I said earlier, they need to fill out a Providence roster as well.
DANIEL RENOUF has been a good soldier for Providence and through most of his AHL career. He can help bring young players along and show them the way at this level, but if you need him on your NHL roster you have some serious injuries on the big club or no one in your prospect pool.
ALEC REGULA has formed a solid shut down pair with Renouf. And he’s had decent production at the AHL level. Just don’t expect the type of production he had in his last year with the London Knights of the OHL. His potential is third-pair shut down defender with great size and can kill penalties. His time though is running out.
TREVOR KUNTAR is one of my favorites with the way he plays and I’ve been saying it for two seasons now. Love his energy and feistiness that he brings on each and every shift. He’s not going to bring a lot of offence but he is what you look for in a fourth line energy guy who can move up in a pinch. I would not be surprised in the least if he was to crack the Boston lineup next season.
JAKUB ZBORIL is on his last leg in Boston. As you well know by now, he asked the Bruins for an opportunity elsewhere and the Bruins placed him on waivers, with no takers. He is likely to finish out his contract and look for other opportunities which could include Europe.
MIKE CALLAHAN has been a pleasant surprise through his first 3 seasons in the AHL. He’s a player that recognizes his limitations and plays within himself. He is a rock defensively back there and while he isn’t flashy and will never bring you out of your seat, he just makes all the little plays and the right plays. Depending on roster moves Boston makes the remainder of this season or the offseason, he could find his path to the NHL blocked though.
MASON LOHREI probably shouldn’t be on this list, but I’ve included him anyway. You’ve all seen the potential and the skill set. If he is not in Boston for the remainder of this season, he will be full time next season. There are still some things to work on, but I for one can live with the growing pains. He’s got a long career ahead of him.
CURTIS HALL is easily having his best statistical season in his last year of his ELC. He is an RFA at the end of the season with arbitration rights. He has great size and can skate but the problem is that he’s been passed over by other centers in the system. I can see a scenario where the Bruins keep him around for the AHL but I can also see a scenario where they don’t offer him a qualifying offer depending on the number of contract spots they have.
PARKER WOTHERSPOON has actually done pretty well in his callup to Boston. But he’s getting long in the tooth to be a prospect. At this point, he is what he is: someone you can call up as an injury replacement when needed. He won’t hurt you much but he is also not going to move the needle. He will be an FRA at the end of the season with arbitration rights and he might be worth keeping around for depth.
MARC MCLAUGHLIN is a player that everyone fell in love with after he got 11 games in with the big club after signing his ELC. He had a “decent” season last year with Providence but his offence has taken a step back this season. But McLaughlin can bring things other than offence. I think the Bruins need to decide whether he is a winger or center at the next level and continue his development exclusively in that spot. Personally, I think he needs to be on the wing.
BRETT HARRISON, FREDERIC BRUNET and RYAN MAST are combined here for the same reasons. All three are transitioning to their first pro seasons slowly with Mast even spending time with Maine in the ECHL while Harrison and Brunet are not getting into every game with Providence. Harrison has the highest upside but this early, the same issues he had in junior are plaguing him: intensity. Although it has improved in recent games. Brunet needs to work on his defensive game, there is no questioning his offensive ability and they will take their time to work with him. With Mast, my greatest concern was always whether the offence he did have in junior would translate to the pro game. It started off slow, but he’s finding it in Maine. It’s a good start but now it’s on maintaining and improving. I’m not going to put to much stock into their first pro seasons and you probably shouldn’t either. Let’s see where it goes!
VINCENT ARSENEAU is a career AHL’er on an AHL contract. He turns 32 in March and to expect anything more would be setting yourself up for disappointment. I know fans question bringing players like Arseneau in when you could be giving the ice time to legitimate prospects like the three above, but you need these players in the lineup in Providence as well.
JOSEPH ABATE is still relatively young at 25 years of age. He will stand up for teammates, he will drop the gloves and he will create some energy. But that’s about what you’ll get from him and is destined for a minor-pro career.
PATRICK BROWN was signed to a two-year NHL deal in the event John Beecher wasn’t ready. Well, Beecher is ready and has done well enough to be on the Boston roster. He can be a fill in for a 4th line role in Boston if injuries happen, but that’s the extent of it.
IAN MITCHELL was another piece acquired from the Hawks in the offseason to provide some depth. He’s been thrown into over a dozen NHL games already and at times has been positive. But at this point, I think what you see is what you get. He can be a seventh d-man or can be the first callup in the event of injuries but I don’t think you can pencil him into your top 6.
BRANDON BUSSI is interesting. Some fans want him in the NHL now. He steals games in Providence even though his numbers are not on par with last season. He has the makings of an NHL goalie. However, Linus Ullmark has another year left on his contract and the Bruins will re-sign Jeremy Swayman in the offseason and with Bussi no longer waiver exempt at the end of this season, something has to give.
MICHAEL DIPIETRO has resurrected his career since joining the Bruins organization when it looked like it was all but over with the Vancouver Canucks. He has performed very well this season after a year of seasoning with the Maine Mariners. However, the road to Boston is near impossible to crack for the former CHL Goaltender of the Year. He will be an RFA with arbitration rights at the end of the season.
KYLE KEYSER had a lot of promise when the Bruins signed him as an undrafted free agent in October of 2017. Unfortunately for him and the Bruins, injuries derailed his development. Now, he can’t seem to get any game action in Providence with Bussi and DiPietro ahead of him and the Bruins have been reluctant to send him to Maine to get some playing time. Hard to imagine a scenario where the Bruins bring him back for next season, but you never know.
I usually reserve the chart below for prospects outside the pro leagues, but thought I would share a Providence one here:
Dom - Hockey 
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