Boston Bruins Offseason Prospect Update: Part 1

The offseason has begun, and this is the first article in a series of four focusing on Boston Bruins prospects outside the AHL and the season just completed.

Those of you that are regular readers here may remember this chart. This is what it looked like in the preseason:

The chart shows my assessment of a player’s likelihood of advancing to various hockey levels. Factors taken into account include their potential, progress so far, position in the team hierarchy, the current Bruins lineup, competitors, and contract situation.

For a player to qualify as a prospect, they need to have been drafted by the Bruins, signed as a free agent or acquired via trade and they must be under 25 years old as of September 15. Players who completed the 2023-2024 season on the NHL roster are deemed to have graduated, which is why Matthew Poitras is not included.

Next, we will examine the chart now that the season has concluded, and then I will provide insights on each player.

Riley Duran

Duran began his professional career immediately after finishing his college season, and the shift to professional hockey has been seamless, though some difficulty. Signing his contract slightly boosted his chances of playing for the Bruins. Nevertheless, I have always had faith that he would eventually compete in the NHL, as he seemed to be a prototypical Boston Bruins. Duran won’t contribute much offensively, but his energetic style will likely make him a beloved figure among fans. However, it’s important to manage expectations accordingly.

Oskar Jellvik

I am confident that Jellvik will eventually be a member of the Boston Bruins. Currently, he is the team’s top prospect on the left wing, potentially overshadowing Brett Harrison if that’s where the Bruins wish to continue to develop him. Jellvik made a successful transition to North America last year and has exceeded my high expectations for him this season. He is improving his ability to drive play, and the upcoming season will be crucial in determining his future with Boston. The only question in my mind is when does he turn pro?

Dans Locmelis

Locmelis appears to fit the profile of an NHL player. It’s difficult to remember the most recent Bruins prospect with as extensive international experience as Locmelis at such a young age. The main concern, in my opinion, lies in the uncertainties regarding the centers in Boston and in the system. There are definitely obstacles he must overcome, especially considering he has never been trained as a winger at any level. His primary worth to Boston could potentially be as a trade asset once he has gained some value.

Jonathan Myrenberg

Myrenberg, acquired in a trade from the Vancouver Canucks, quickly became a favorite here after joining the Bruins alongside Michael DiPietro in exchange for Jack Studnicka. After completing his first full season in the SHL competing against seasoned players, he caught the eye of Sweden, earning an opportunity to make their IIHF World Championship roster (he was the last cut on defence). However, his ranking on this list has slightly decreased due to signing a two-year extension with Linkoping HC and facing challenges with the NHL-SHL transfer agreement that restricts the early transfer of young players.

Jackson Edward

The Bruins have been in need of a defenseman like Adam McQuaid since McQuaid himself, and Edward could potentially fill that role. It was a learning season for Edward, as he primarily played on the right side as a left-shot defenseman. He has demonstrated his ability to contribute offensively and excel as a shutdown defender. Additionally, his physicality has notably improved. Moving forward, Edward will need to work on staying within the boundaries of the game. He dropped here due to Boston having several defensemen signed long-term (and Mason Lohrei arriving), but that will change with him turning pro.

Andre Gasseau

Readers may question why I lowered Gasseau’s prospects significantly. The reality is, he did not progress offensively as expected (further details on this will be discussed later in this series). Additionally, I did not observe any significant enhancement in his skating abilities. While some supporters may reference Justin Brazeau as a successful case, Gasseau lacks Brazeau’s resolve and hockey instincts. Brazeau has consistently elevated his performance with more experience. There is ample time for Gasseau to improve; he simply needs to dedicate himself to the necessary work.

Chris Pelosi

Pelosi had a strong campaign in the USHL, though he slightly fell short of expectations. However, signs of ongoing growth and potential for becoming a professional hockey player are evident. His notable attributes include relentless determination and work ethic, promising a bright future. Despite not receiving a more optimistic evaluation for making the Bruins, he still has a journey ahead, starting with his upcoming first year at Quinnipiac. Anticipated to perform well in the NCAA initially, his assessment will be subject to change based on actual outcomes.

Beckett Hendrickson

At the end of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, my initial assessment was that I likely would have flipped the Pelosi-Hendrickson selections. That viewpoint remains unchanged. Hendrickson performed as expected and matched my predictions. Following his trade at the deadline, Hendrickson maintained high productivity with his new team, whereas Pelosi experienced a slight decline in offensive performance. As Hendrickson embarks on his freshman year at the University of Minnesota this autumn, he must persist in his growth, and indications suggest that he is poised for a successful debut season.

Ryan Walsh

The Bruins are unhesitant in choosing overage players who meet their criteria, and Walsh is a prime example. Despite being overlooked in two previous drafts; the Bruins eagerly seized the opportunity after his outstanding USHL season. This is exactly the kind of player you want to select at that stage of the draft. While some may have had hesitation about Walsh’s performance in his initial year at Cornell University, he delivered as anticipated in my view. If his progress remains consistent, I foresee him not completing his full 4 years at Cornell.

Reid Dyck

After enduring a couple injuries that led to missed games, he was frequently hailed here as the most valuable player for the Swift Current Broncos. The team officially acknowledged that during their annual awards ceremony. It is easy to speculate on the impact his absence would have had on the team. He consistently turned the tide in games, executed improbable saves, and frequently stood out in highlight reels. While the Bruins boast considerable goaltending talent, Dyck is poised to swiftly climb the ranks. Expect him to sign his entry level contract soon and to turn pro.

Philip Svedeback

Svedeback’s performance declined in his second season at Providence College, which is concerning. While the drop wasn’t significant, it appeared that he struggled with tracking the puck, had issues with rebound control, and failed to make crucial saves as he did in his freshman year. There is intense competition among goaltenders in the Bruins’ system, and Svedeback needs to return to his first-year form. Although he has the ability to do so, success in hockey is based on performance. He is capable. He just has to go out and do it.

Cole Spicer

Spicer was on track to impress some individuals, but 17 games into the season, he got suspended for failing to meet academic standards. Sources suggest that he has made significant efforts to improve his grades in order to come back to Minnesota-Duluth for the following season. He lost valuable time for growth, and it is uncertain if he can resume at the same level or if it will take time to get back to where he was.

Mason Langenbrunner

Langenbrunner presents a challenge for evaluation compared to others in the group due to his time on a struggling Harvard team. While his skills occasionally shone through, he was often required to fulfill various roles, diverting him from his strengths. Despite this, his talent remains impressive, and it is hoped that Harvard will improve in the upcoming season, allowing Langenbrunner to focus on his strong points.

Casper Nassen

There hasn’t been a more disappointing performance this season than Nassen’s. He had a rough start and was sidelined due to an injury late in the Norra Division portion of the schedule. Upon his return, he showed the form we anticipated all along. Now, Nassen is embarking on a new chapter as he moves to North America and Miami University (Ohio). He’s definitely someone to watch closely.

Jake Schmaltz

If you’re considering Schmaltz as the biggest letdown, you might have a case. Despite strong performances in the USHL and a successful first year at the University of North Dakota, his offensive production has decreased over the past two seasons. While his defensive skills have improved, he has been overtaken by numerous prospects in the rankings. It seems unlikely that he will crack the Bruins’ NHL roster. He may have a chance with another team, but much depends on how he performs in the upcoming season.

Quinn Olson

Olson generated interest after two successful seasons in the AJHL. However, he struggled to showcase his offensive abilities during his five-year tenure at Minnesota-Duluth. Following the end of his season, he did not receive a contract offer from the Bruins. Instead, he opted for a two-way AHL contract with the Ontario Reign. Currently, he is completing the season with Greenville of the ECHL as they progress through the playoffs.

Ty Gallagher

Simply put, it was a disappointing season for him. He excelled with the USNTDP and had two successful seasons at Boston University. However, this season, he found himself mostly as the 7th defenseman under head coach Jay Pandolfo. The future looked uncertain. As the school year ended, he decided to transfer to Colorado College. He possesses the ability to make a comeback, but the onus is on him to work hard and not allow the challenges of the previous season to hinder his progress.

Kristian Kostadinski

Reflecting on the previous summer’s development camp and the humorous remarks circulating on social media regarding Kostadinski’s skating abilities, it is evident that he has dedicated substantial effort to improve. The extent of his potential remains an unknown. At the very least, he possesses the capacity to become a formidable and aggressive defensive player who can effectively thwart opponents. His next destination for the upcoming season is currently undetermined; he may opt to rejoin Frolunda HC in the J20 league, transition into professional play in the SHL, or pursue a path with Dubuque in the USHL.

Roman Bychkov

Just going to put it as simply as possible: Unable to make a KHL roster, it’s hard to imagine making an NHL roster.

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