The Boston Bruins came away from the 2025 Draft with a haul that can only be described as a major win. However, the momentum slowed during a rather underwhelming free agency period. Unless any trades arise, the front office’s final order of business is securing a deal with John Farinacci. Once that’s settled, attention turns to rookie camp and the upcoming Prospects Challenge—where today’s spotlight will shine.
It’s become a familiar pattern for the Bruins: with a large contingent of NCAA prospects unavailable for the Prospects Challenge and rookie camp, the team often turns to undrafted CHL free agents to round out the roster.
With 16 prospects currently enrolled in NCAA programs (six at Boston College), this season continues the trend. While it’s uncommon for the Bruins to offer contracts to their camp invitees, they have done so on rare occasion—and with that in mind, I’ve decided to highlight a few of undrafted players available that were higher on NHL Central Scouting’s list and independent scouting services.
I won’t do a deep dive into scouting reports here – there is plenty available online. But I did get some thoughts from a couple of NHL Scouts.
Louis-Antoine Denault – Goaltender – Quebec Remparts – QMJHL
The 6’8” – 206 pound goaltender appeared in 41 games for the Quebec Remparts. He posted 3.13 goals against average and .902 save percentage with 2 shutouts. NHL Central Scouting ranked him 5th among North American goaltenders.
He attended the Florida Panthers development camp.
I can’t recall a goaltender who relied on his size more than any skill to play his position. He was the biggest reason Quebec made the QMJHL playoffs. I’d be curious to see what he could do with better coaching.
One NHL scout said “He’s got size and he is athletic, but there is little to no technique and his skating won’t cut it for a goaltender at the pro level”.
Another scout said “For us, he is an AHL goaltender”.
Carson Cameron – Right Defense – Peterborough Petes – OHL
The 6’1” – 193 pound right shot defenseman appeared in 63 games for the Peterborough Petes scoring 7 goals and adding 23 assists in 63 games. He was ranked 137th among North American Skaters by NHL Central Scouting.
He attended the Florida Panthers development camp.
Just 18 of 68 games. That’s what the Petes won this season. To say everyone looked bad is an understatement. But many in the scouting community projected him as a top-4 defenseman at the pro level.
One NHL scout said “one of the most difficult players to get a read on this season. Things went south for the Petes early in games and he never got a chance to showcase himself.”
Another scout said “We didn’t see enough from him this season to warrant us using a pick, even with right shots being in big demand”.
Owen Conrad – Left Defense – Charlottetown Islanders – QMJHL
The 6’2” – 214-pound left shot defenseman appeared in 64 games for the Charlottetown Islanders, scoring 7 goals and adding 19 assists. He was ranked 102nd among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting.
He attended the Toronto Maple Leafs development camp.
He improved as the season progressed but certainly left everyone wanting more. I don’t know that there is enough defensively to make it as a shut down defenseman at the next level. At least not yet.
One scout said “He’s a pass for us. His decision making in the offensive zone is poor and only slightly better in his own zone”.
A second scout said “We did not see an NHL future”.
Lev Katzin – Left Wing – Guelph Storm – OHL
The 5’8” – 176-pound center/winger appeared in 44 games for the Guelph Storm and scored 16 goals while assisting on 32. He was ranked 142nd by NHL Central Scouting among North American Players.
Excellent playmaker who, despite the size, goes to the dirty areas and is fearless. Needs to be a better skater for his size.
Said one NHL Scout “Not a good enough skater for his size at the pro level.”
Another said “When you are his size, you better be an elite skater. He is not”.
Reese Hamilton – Left Defense – Regina Pats – WHL
The 6’0” – 172-pound left shot defenseman appeared in 59 games for the Regina Pats, scoring 4 goals and adding 10 assists. NHL Central Scouting ranked him 113th among North American skaters.
He attended the Seattle Kraken development camp.
One of the best skaters in the draft class and came into the season highly regarded before falling right out of the draft.
I asked one scout who had this to say “Some of the best skills in the draft class, especially the skating. But one of the smallest brains”.
A second scout added “Plenty of skill, but decision making lacks in all areas of the ice”.
Zachary Morin – Left Wing – Saint John Sea Dogs – QMJHL
The 6’1” – 181-pound left wing appeared in 56 games for the Saint John Sea Dogs scoring 16 goals and 20 assists. He was ranked 103rd by NHL Central Scouting among North American skaters.
He attended the Vancouver Canucks development camp.
There definitely are lot of tools in his arsenal. Slick hands and feet, agitator and can score from all areas. His biggest issue is consistency.
One NHL scout said “Whenever I saw Saint John, I didn’t know which Morin would show up. One day he can impact a game and then you wonder if he even dressed for the next three.”
Another scout said “For me, the most inconsistent player in this draft class”.
Lukas Sawchyn – Left Wing – Edmonton Oil Kings – WHL
The 5’10” – 168-pound right shooting left wing appeared in 66 games for the Edmonton Oil Kings, He had 15 goals and 40 assists and was ranked 69th by NHL Central Scouting among North American players.
He attended the Florida Panthers development camp.
Many had the winger with the non-stop motor pegged as a late third to early fourth round pick. And he’s got some offensive tools.
One NHL scout put it this way, “I think a lot of teams look at the Florida Panthers and think he’s too small.” I find that interesting since it was the Panthers that invited him to development camp.
Philippe Veilleux – Left Wing – Val-d’Or Foreurs – QMJHL
The 5’9” – 168-pound left wing appeared in 64 games for Val d’Or Foreurs. He had 40 goals and 47 assists and was ranked 91st by NHL Central Scouting among North American skaters.
Not invited to any development camp.
Veilleux finished third in QMJHL scoring as a 17-year-old. He has skill – plenty of offensive skill. But everyone looks at the size and turns the other way. Even Central Scouting, who shies away from smaller players, had him ranked in the top 100, Independent services higher.
Said one NHL scout “He’s not very big and is a perimeter player. The consensus for us is that we are aware of the talent but question how it translates to the pro game”.
Another scout said “Talented players like Veilleux who play on the perimeter do not find success in the NHL. May be an excellent AHL player”.
Here is a refresher about the rules:
Any player who went undrafted in the latest NHL Entry Draft and remains eligible for future drafts may be signed by an NHL team between the end of that draft and the beginning of their Major Junior (CHL) season—provided they played in North America during the previous season. If the player signs an Amateur Tryout (ATO) agreement, this signing window extends until the NHL season starts. Once their Major Junior season begins (NHL season for those on an ATO), and they have not signed an ELC, the player re-enters the next year’s draft.
When a team signs a player and then loans him back to his Major Junior club, the contract slides—meaning it’s delayed—by two seasons for 18-year-olds and one season for 19-year-olds. This allows the team to retain the player’s rights for four or five years respectively. In short: loaning the player to a CHL squad has no negative effect on the contract.
For players that are no longer eligible for the draft, they are unrestricted free agents and can sign with any team at any time.
Since the 2015 season, NHL teams have exercised this option more than 60 times. The Bruins, for instance, tapped into it back in 2017 when they brought goaltender Kyle Keyser onboard with a three-year entry-level contract. Keyser joined the team’s rookie camp that September and officially signed his deal in October 2023. Sadly, injuries hampered what once looked like an NHL trajectory.
Some of these players were on my list as potential targets.
It will be interesting to see what the Bruins do in the crease. Philip Svedeback will be back at Providence College and won’t be participating as well as the three goaltenders invited to development camp. Newly signed Simon Zajicek and Luke Cavallin have likely aged out of this tournament and that leaves the Bruins without a goaltender.
Right wing and right defense are the two other positions that the Bruins are going to have to address.
Obviously, there are other players available. I’ve listed the top players to go undrafted that surprised most of the independent scouting services. If I had to pick two that I would like to see given a chance it would be Denault and Cameron. Both fill a need.
Dom - Hockey 