Part one of this series broke down each player’s production against the projections generated by my proprietary model.
Here are some quick-hit thoughts on each player and how their seasons stacked up. Development is rarely a straight line, so trajectories can shift, but I hope this gives you a clear snapshot of where each prospect stands right now.
To make this a smoother read, I’ve split the piece into two parts, with the second installment (which is actually part three) set to drop in a couple of days.
I’ve intentionally left out Andre Gasseau, Oskar Jellvik, Mason Langenbrunner, and Philip Svedeback, as all four are hoping to turn pro now and I’ve already provided extensive analysis on each of them.
Liam Pettersson – Round 2 – 61st Overall, 2025 – Vaxjo Lakers, U20 Nationell – Left Defense
I wouldn’t label Pettersson’s 2025–26 campaign a lost development year — more of a minor setback. Even with just 19 games played for Vaxjo Lakers in the U20 Nationell, there were still flashes of the skill set that convinced the Bruins to take him 61st overall less than a year ago.
Chosen with an acquired draft pick from the Colorado Avalanche in the Charlie Coyle deal, Pettersson wasted little time showcasing the tools that made him an intriguing pickup. His skating, transition game, power‑play poise, and ability to generate shots all popped, as did his vision and playmaking touch. But there are still areas that need tightening — most notably his gap control. At times he can mask it with his skating, but that margin for error shrinks dramatically at the pro level, making it a key point of emphasis moving forward.
Moving forward, it’s all about sharpening the areas that need work while continuing to build on the strengths already in place. His development will hinge on landing in the right environment with the right coaching — the kind of setting that can refine his flaws and elevate the tools that already stand out.
Projection: Second pairing puck-moving defenseman who can contribute on special teams.
Vashek Blanar – Round 4, 100th Overall, 2025 – HV71 – U20 Nationell – Left Defense
When Don Sweeney called his name at the draft, the immediate reaction was a collective scramble to Elite Prospects to figure out who he was. Information was scarce. But once development camp arrived, it became clear there was skill there — and he quickly turned early curiosity into genuine intrigue.
HV71 struggled for most of the year, ultimately landing in the relegation round when the U20 Nationell playoffs arrived. And when Blanar wasn’t in the lineup, their issues became even more pronounced. The overlooked piece of the Brandon Carlo trade spent the season showcasing exactly why he shouldn’t be overlooked — flashing his skating, transition ability, physical edge, and steady defensive game. He’s no liability in his own end, and his international resume keeps growing. He’s already represented Czechia multiple times and is poised to be a fixture on their World Junior roster come December.
There is a longer development path ahead for Blanar. He will return to junior next season and is committed to the University of Massachusetts for the 2026-27 season.
Projection: Number 4 puck-moving defenseman who can contribute on special teams.
Kirill Yemelyanov – Round 5, 165th Overall, 2025 – Loko Yaroslavl – MHL – Center
It was a strong year for Yemelyanov, but the real headline was how much he elevated his game during Loko’s playoff run. The Bruins haven’t historically had much success drafting Russians, yet Yemelyanov looks like a prospect worth tracking closely as he continues to trend upward.
What stood out most was how much his game evolved over the course of the season. Early on, his play away from the puck was a clear area of concern; by midseason, he’d turned himself into a player the coaching staff trusted in any situation. Faceoffs were another weakness, yet by year’s end he’d become one of the league’s most reliable options in the circle. And perhaps most importantly, he learned to live in the hard areas. Known primarily for his one‑timer from the right circle — a weapon he used often — he reinvented himself by midseason as a net‑front presence, and the scoring didn’t dry up. It was a meaningful, well‑rounded step forward.
There were also steady, if modest, gains in his forechecking, physical engagement, and willingness to use his teammates. Still, the development runway ahead of him is long. Right now, the most realistic path looks like a season in the VHL, followed by a year or two in the KHL before he makes the jump to North America. That timeline can always shift, but that’s the projection as things stand today.
Projection: Bottom six center who can provide secondary scoring and contribute on the powerplay.
Casper Nassen – Round 7, 214th Overall, 2023 – Miami University (Ohio) – Left Wing
The 2024–25 campaign was a rough one for Nassen, stuck on a struggling Miami University squad and spending most of the year on the second line. The 2025–26 season brought a far better team environment, but only modest individual gains for Nassen, who settled into a mostly third‑line role.
Drafting this late is always a swing on upside — you’re hoping to uncover someone who can eventually give you NHL minutes. Three years in, that simply hasn’t materialized with Nassen. He still has two years of college eligibility left, so there’s room for the story to change, but the development curve ahead of him is steep and there’s a significant amount of work to be done.
I suppose you could call this Nassen’s first real step forward, entering the transfer portal and committing to Lake Superior State for next season. It’s a reset opportunity — and at this stage, that’s exactly what he needs. But only time will tell if it pays off.
Projection: Career AHL player or European pro league.
Will Zellers – Round 3, 76th Overall (Colorado) 2024 – University of North Dakota – Left/Right Wing
It was a true breakout season for Zellers at North Dakota, who not only outperformed expectations but emerged as one of Team USA’s standout players at the World Junior Championship — as a late addition to the roster.
Zellers — another piece acquired from Colorado in the Coyle trade — brings the kind of versatility the Bruins covet, able to slide into any of the three forward positions when needed. He’s a volume shooter with a heavy, dangerous release, and one of the first players a coach taps when chasing a goal. His surge this season was so convincing that fans were openly calling for him to turn pro.
There’s still work ahead, no question. Near the top of the list is building chemistry with Cooper Simpson, who joins him at North Dakota next season and projects as a key running mate. If he takes another step — and the bet here is that he will — next year should be his final lap in the college ranks.
Projection: Middle six winger who can provide secondary scoring and contribute on the powerplay.
Dean Letourneau – Round 1, 25th Overall, 2024 – Boston College – Center/Right Wing
What a difference a year makes. Twelve months ago, plenty of fans were ready to write Letourneau off as a bust. Now, many of those same voices were pushing for him to turn pro. Instead, he’s heading back to Boston College, intent on tightening up the finer details of his game before taking the next step.
Letourneau broke out in a big way this season — arguably a touch ahead of schedule — and that trajectory suggests he’ll be ready to turn pro once his junior year wraps up. For now, the focus shifts to refining the finer points: using his size more consistently, sharpening his play away from the puck, and continuing to build on the offensive strides he’s already made.
There’s never been any doubt about Letourneau’s work ethic. He’s relentless in his commitment to improving, and he attacks the offseason with the same purpose he brings to the rink. Over the holidays, my good friend Court Lalonde happened to run into him and his skating coach, who mentioned she had a demanding offseason program lined up — the kind of tailored, high‑end work that speaks to how seriously Letourneau approaches his development.
Projection: Top line center/winger – goal scorer who will contribute on the powerplay.
Will Moore Round 2, 51st overall, 2025 – Boston College – Center/Wing
In a word, disappointing — maybe even more so than I felt about Letourneau a year ago. Moore is capable of far more than what we saw, but he was rarely put in situations that suited his strengths, stuck on a third line for a team that, for the most part, struggled to find any rhythm. Even when injuries opened the door on the top lines, he barely got a look.
He should be in a far better position to earn those opportunities at Boston College next season. The production should rise — and it will. On top of that, he needs to see more time on special teams. There’s also another layer to his development: getting to the middle of the ice more consistently and establishing himself around the blue paint. The skill is there. And it’s worth remembering that in the preliminary rankings for the 2025 draft, plenty of evaluators viewed him as a first‑round talent.
Projection: Middle six winger who can provide secondary scoring.
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