This part of the series confuses many fans and I am often asked to explain the meaning of the graph below again. If you missed last summers, you can find it here and compare.
Every hockey player possesses the potential to reach a certain level in their career, whether it’s the AHL, European professional leagues, or the NHL. My approach to forecasting that potential goes beyond evaluating just the most recent season—I consider the entire trajectory of a player’s career up to this point. Because circumstances can shift rapidly, some players may see movement compared to last summer, reflecting the dynamic nature of the sport.
My evaluations stem from watching hundreds of hockey games while also incorporating insights from scouts. One of the more complex aspects is the column labeled “NHL’er but not for the Bruins.” These are players I consider to be NHL-caliber of some sort, but scouts have indicated they hold trade value and could attract interest from other teams. However, this must be balanced against their current contractual status—players under contract with the Bruins have a higher likelihood of staying with the team. And with that, I have to factor in the depth chart and where they sit on that.
Let’s take a look and then I will follow it up with some thoughts on each player:
Dans Locmelis – C/LW – UMass-Amherst – Round 4 (119th), 2022
Riser.
This season, his impressive performance with UMass, followed by a brief stint with the Providence Bruins and his time representing Latvia at the IIHF World Championships, firmly cemented his rise in the chart. His signing of an entry-level contract only added to his momentum. The remaining question is whether he will play as a left wing or a center. While he is naturally a center and has had limited experience on the wing, the Bruins have a surplus of centers. His chemistry on the wing alongside Matthew Poitras was undeniable, suggesting that the transition could be beneficial. Given the circumstances, his path to success seems clearer on the wing, where he is likely to be most effective at the next level.
Oskar Jellvik – LW/C – Boston College – Round 5 (149th), 2021
Faller.
Once seen as one of the most promising Bruins prospects without an NHL contract, Jellvik’s stock has fallen after a frustrating season marred by injuries and underperformance. Many expected him to make the leap to professional hockey at the conclusion of the season, but that opportunity never materialized thanks to his season ending injury. Now, he’s heading back to Boston College for his final year, looking to get his game back on track. If he manages to do so, he could choose not to sign and test free agency, allowing him to pick his own landing spot—assuming teams show interest. Betting against his resurgence might be unwise, but the onus is on Jellvik to prove he’s still the player some once believed he could be.
Andre Gasseau – C – Boston College – Round 7 (213th) 2021
Riser.
After three seasons at Boston College, where he consistently posted 29, 29, and 30 points, Gasseau has evolved from a playmaking center into more of a goal scorer, increasing his goal totals to 10, 12, to 15. Many in hockey circles expected him to turn pro after this season, but I still have questions about his skating, which still doesn’t quite meet the standards of today’s NHL. While he has shown improvement, further refinement is needed. Like Jellvik, with whom he has developed strong on-ice chemistry, Gasseau is entering his fourth and final NCAA season. By the end of next season, both he and the Bruins will face a pivotal decision regarding his future. Interestingly, Gasseau has some trade value, albeit limited.
Dean Letourneau – C – Boston College – Round 1 (25th), 2024
Faller.
He may have slipped slightly in my view, but I’m not sounding any alarms. It feels a bit hypocritical to say, considering I emphasized patience with Letourneau even before the season started and cautioned against reading too much into his freshman-year production. According to his coaches, he put in the necessary work on key areas, and I respect that. Still, I hoped to see more from him by season’s end—at the very least, increased ice time. His sophomore year will be telling, but it’s fair to say his value didn’t remain constant from the start of the season to the finish. I’m expecting much more next season.
Chris Pelosi – C – Quinnipiac University – Round 3 (92nd), 2023
Riser.
Pelosi was one of the biggest risers this season, delivering an impressive performance—especially after the calendar flipped to 2025. Not only did he rack up points, but he did so with remarkable consistency. His ability to generate energy, thrive in any situation, and log big minutes as a freshman speaks volumes about his potential. While there’s still another season ahead, if his development trend continues, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him turn pro after his sophomore year. Ideally, I’d like to see Pelosi spend significant time on the wing. The Bruins have plenty of depth down the middle but lack strength on the wing, and Pelosi could thrive even more in that role.
Ty Gallagher – RD – Colorado College – Round 7 (217th), 2021
Riser.
Gallagher, who experienced a significant drop last year, has emerged as one of the biggest risers this season—an excellent reminder of why patience is key. It was clear he wasn’t in the best situation at Boston University, and his move to Colorado College was a pivotal moment for his future. Not only did he rise to the occasion, but he exceeded expectations. After his season wrapped up, he turned pro on a two-year AHL contract, immediately proving he belonged at the professional level. Initially left out of the lineup for their first playoff game, he was inserted in the second and quickly established himself as a reliable presence on the blueline. At this point, I fully expect him to secure an NHL deal before his AHL contract expires.
Ryan Walsh – C – Cornell University – Round 8 (188th), 2023
No Change.
When the Bruins drafted an overage player who had previously been passed over in past drafts but was coming off an impressive year in the USHL, it was a calculated late-round gamble—one worth taking. Walsh built on that momentum with two strong seasons at Cornell University, establishing himself as one of their top performers. His accolades include USHL and All-Ivy First Team All-Star honors. So, why hasn’t his status changed? The key factor is that he’s been succeeding as an older player, but the level of dominance needed to stand out hasn’t fully emerged yet. That said, he still has room to reach that next level, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he has an outstanding season and turns pro next spring.
Elliott Groenewold – LD – Quinnipiac University – Round 4 (110th), 2024
No Change.
When the Bruins traded up in the fourth round of the 2024 NHL Draft to select Groenewold, the reaction from many was a “are you kidding me” moment—I wasn’t immune to that either. However, as one of the youngest defensemen in the NCAA (he just turned 19 in February), he had an outstanding season, logging heavy minutes and proving he could handle any situation by the year’s end. At 6’2” and 208 pounds, he’s already physically mature, yet with more experience, his game will only continue to grow. The real question now is his offensive potential. Based on what I’ve seen, there’s more upside than meets the eye. Until he fully showcases it, though, his status remains unchanged for now.
Beckett Hendrickson – LW/C – University of Minnesota – Round 4 (124th), 2023
Faller.
Right after Hendrickson was chosen in the 2023 draft, I mentioned that I would have swapped the Pelosi/Hendrickson picks. That remark wasn’t meant as criticism of Pelosi, and while it may have been premature, I will not deny I said it. While he played a vital role on one of the NCAA’s strongest fourth lines, I had higher expectations. When given the chance to play alongside top-tier talent, he showed his ability to produce, though those opportunities were limited. Over time, my perspective on him began to shift, but I chose to extend him the same patience granted to other freshmen and see how he performs next season.
Loke Johansson – LD – Moncton Wildcats – Round 6 (186th), 2024
Riser.
It’s uncommon for a player drafted in the sixth round to sign an NHL contract just months after being drafted, but that’s exactly what happened with Johansson. He then joined the Moncton Wildcats and helped secure a QMJHL championship. The Bruins sent him there to refine his offensive game, and while his transition to North American hockey had its challenges, he made significant progress by season’s end. He developed into a strong shutdown defender, playing a physical style and showing notable improvement. He ranked 48th among defensemen in scoring with 0.36 PPG, but that number jumped to 0.57 PPG in the playoffs. However, there’s stiff competition within the system for defensemen with his skill set.
Philip Svedeback – G – Providence College – Round 4 (117th), 2021
Faller.
Am I alone in my skepticism about Svedeback? When others praise his large frame, positional soundness, and strong lateral movement, I often find myself questioning what I’m seeing. The size is undeniable, but I frequently notice issues with his lateral movement and rebound control. Initially, I attributed these struggles to the heavy workload he carried in Providence, yet even with a significantly reduced workload this season, the same concerns persist. He could still carve out a role as an NHL backup, but with his final year of NCAA eligibility approaching, he’ll need to prove himself further. Given these uncertainties, it would be wise for the Bruins to invest a draft pick in a goaltender this summer.
Jonathan Morello – C – Dubuque Fighting Saints – Round 5 (154th), 2024
Faller.
Morello is an exceptional skater with some power-forward qualities. He possesses a high hockey IQ and excels as a defensive center. Despite experiencing a couple of significant growth spurts, his skating has remained unaffected. He has also demonstrated offensive potential, particularly during his time in the OJHL, though that success did not translate to the USHL. At the time of the draft, I was surprised he was still available in the fifth round for Boston, especially considering that many independent scouting services viewed him and Will Zellers as comparable prospects. That perspective may have changed now, but there’s still time for Morello to refine his offensive game. His defensive skills, however, are already well-developed
Mason Langenbrunner – RD – Harvard University – Round 5 (151st), 2020
Faller.
Langenbrunner has been a bit of a puzzle, especially given his recent season. On one hand, his father holds a key role as the Bruins’ Assistant General Manager – Player Development, which could work in his favor. On the other, Harvard has a history of players opting not to sign with the NHL teams that drafted them. For two years, he established himself as a shutdown defender with strong skating and puck-moving abilities. This season, his offensive production saw a significant boost, largely due to an impressive second half that came with increased ice time. Heading into his senior year, he’ll be wearing the captain’s “C” and taking on greater responsibilities. How it all unfolds remains to be seen.
Casper Nassen – RW/LW – Miami University (Ohio) – Round 7 (214th). 2023
No Change.
Taking a chance on Nassen in the seventh round made sense, especially given that his production in the J20 Nationell closely mirrored that of Dans Locmelis and Oskar Jellvik. However, after a slow start to the following season, doubts began to creep in—until he turned things around with an impressive second half. Unfortunately, this year has been nothing short of disastrous, as he struggled on a team that simply couldn’t compete. I had hoped he would enter the transfer portal and move to a more competitive environment, but instead, he remains with a team likely to face similar challenges next season. At this point, assessing his true potential feels impossible, as all we’ve seen so far is the lowest version of what he can offer. Until he finds himself in a better situation, determining his ceiling remains a guessing game.
Kristian Kostadinski – LD – Dubuque Fighting Saints – Round 7 (220th), 2023
No Change.
When Kostadinski first stepped onto the ice at Bruins development camp in 2023, the running joke among fans was that skating wasn’t exactly his strong suit. Amused onlookers watched as Adam McQuaid offered him pointers, hoping to refine his stride. Now, two years later, there have been improvements—but not to the level required for today’s fast-paced game, where skating ability is essential for success. While he still has time to work on his skating, the challenge only intensifies as he moves up to NCAA competition, where weaknesses are more easily exposed. His ceiling remains uncertain, and at this point, the Bruins appear to have taken a gamble on a big-bodied defenseman whose potential may never be reached.
Jake Schmaltz – C/LW – University of North Dakota – Round 7 (192nd), 2019
Faller.
Schmaltz has his supporters, though I remain skeptical. He showed promise in the USHL with two strong seasons, followed by an impressive freshman year at the University of North Dakota. However, he struggled to replicate that success in his final three seasons, failing to advance in the lineup and often being utilized as a shutdown center—even spending time on the left wing. Despite these challenges, the Bruins deemed him worthy of an AHL contract. Given their deep pool of centermen, his path forward will likely have to come from the wing. The team is in need of scoring, but considering his offensive touch has been absent for three years, I have my doubts about whether he can rediscover it.
Jonathan Myrenberg – RD – Linkoping HC – Round 5 (140th), 2021 (Vancouver Canucks)
As you know by now, the Bruins did not offer Myrenberg a contract.
Dom - Hockey 