Part one of this series broke down each player’s production against the projections generated by my proprietary model. If you missed that installment, you can find it here. Part two continued the evaluation with the first group of prospects, and that edition is available here. This segment covers the remaining prospects.
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.
Kristian Kostadinski – Round 7 – 220th overall, 2023 – Boston College – Left Defense
There’s no denying Kostadinski has put in some of the necessary work — that much is clear. But he still has a long road ahead. Skating was the area that needed the most attention, and when he arrived at Development Camp in the summer of 2023, it showed.
Sometimes we get enamored with size — and, frankly, NHL teams fall into that trap too. That’s what happened here: he towered over most of his competition, and the projection followed the frame. But beyond that, there isn’t much in his game right now that screams NHL player. I’d love to be proven wrong — and there’s still plenty of runway — but he has a significant amount of work ahead of him.
Projection: Career AHL player or European pro league.
Chris Pelosi – Round 3 – 92nd overall, 2023 – Quinnipiac University – Center
Pelosi took a meaningful step forward in his sophomore season on a Quinnipiac team that, as a whole, underdelivered. He finished just shy of a point‑per‑game while sharpening his play away from the puck. His energy remained infectious, and he emerged as a tone‑setter in the room — even without a letter on his chest.
I’m sure the Bruins had conversations with him about turning pro and what they felt would best serve his development. Ultimately, the call is his. But with so many roster spots opening in Providence next season, you can’t help but wonder what factored into his decision. From the outside, he looked ready to turn pro.
Projection: Third line who can provide secondary scoring and contribute to special teams.
Elliott Groenewold – Round 4, 110th overall, 2024 – Quinnipiac University – Left Defense
Groenewold emerged as one of the premier shutdown defenders in the NCAA, and the numbers back it up — his plus‑39 ranks inside the top 10 all‑time at the collegiate level. He became a heavy‑minutes, hard‑matchup defender coaches trusted in every key situation. Last summer, he even earned legitimate consideration for Team USA’s World Junior roster, a testament to how far his game has come.
Groenewold has the toolkit you want in a modern defenseman, but one question still hangs over his projection: how much offensive upside is actually there? He took a step this season with 20 points in 40 games, yet it’s fair to wonder whether there’s another gear. The vision, the shot, the playmaking instincts — the ingredients are present. Now he’ll need a truly assertive, breakout year to show he can turn those flashes into sustained production.
Projection: Number five or six defenseman who will be a key shut-down blueliner.
Jonathan Morello – Round 5, 154th overall, 2024 – Boston University – Center
During the 2023 NHL Draft, I didn’t think there was any realistic path to landing Morello — most had him pegged as a third‑round talent, and the Bruins didn’t own a third‑round pick. He could certainly produce in the OJHL, but it was his defensive detail and skating that really separated him from his peers.
Morello put together a solid freshman season at Boston University, but it was the defensive foundation he built in the OJHL and USHL that really translated at the NCAA level. I still think there’s more offense in his game than we saw — he spent most of the year on the fourth line in a shutdown role and logging heavy penalty‑kill minutes. With a likely bump up the lineup and a chance at power‑play usage next season, we should get a clearer picture of what he can be.
Projection: Third line center who can contribute on the penalty kill, provide speed and provide some offense.
Beckett Hendrickson – Round 4, 124th overall, 2023, University of Minnesota – Left Wing
The offense hasn’t been there for Hendrickson in college the way it was in juniors. As a freshman, he anchored one of the best fourth lines in the country. This season, he spent most of his time on the third line, but whenever he earned a bump up the lineup, his production noticeably improved. And let’s be honest — Minnesota simply wasn’t very good, which is why I was hoping he’d explore the transfer portal.
That said, Hendrickson still brings plenty to the table even when the points aren’t there. In a lot of ways, he mirrors Marat Khusnutdinov — the motor never quits, everything is done at full speed, and he’s a constant disruptor on the forecheck. He doesn’t shy away from contact or the hard areas, and that competitiveness shows up shift after shift. I also think there’s more offense in his game than we’ve seen so far, and unlocking that could meaningfully elevate his projection.
Projection: Fourth line winger who can provide energy and strong forecheck with a little offense.
Ryan Walsh – Round 6. 188th overall, 2023 – Cornell University – Center
The 2025–26 campaign marked a noticeable shift in Walsh’s profile, as he moved from pure finisher to primary playmaker in his junior season. After posting 12 and 17 goals in his freshman and sophomore years, he dipped to just 10 this season. The flip side: his assist totals jumped from 10 and 14 to a team‑leading 23. Is there some concern? Maybe a touch — especially when you consider he logged roughly 20 minutes a night as a forward.
Even more than with Pelosi, I’m genuinely puzzled that Walsh didn’t turn pro once the season wrapped. With so much opportunity opening in Providence — and given his age relative to the rest of this group — it felt like the natural time to make the jump. But maybe he has unfinished business at Cornell and wants another shot at a championship. Or maybe he’s looking at the organizational depth chart, doesn’t see a clear path to Boston, and could follow the Gasseau route by playing out his eligibility and exploring free agency in August 2027.
Projection: Third line center who can provide secondary scoring and playmaking.
Cooper Simpson – Round 3, 79th overall, 2025 – Youngstown Phantoms – Left Wing
Much like Walsh, Simpson shifted from pure finisher to playmaker this season — with one key distinction: the transition didn’t come at the expense of his scoring touch. His toolkit checks every box, from skating to shooting to compete level. The only thing he’s truly missing is experience, and that’s the one element time always takes care of.
He’s headed to the University of North Dakota next season, and there’s real intrigue around the possibility of him lining up with Will Zellers at some point. The two future Bruins complement each other’s styles almost perfectly. My read is that Simpson will adjust to the college game much the same way Zellers did this year — quickly and confidently. As for how long he stays in school, that’s tougher to project. His timeline will hinge entirely on how he tracks in his freshman season.
Projection: Middle six winger who can contribute on the powerplay and be a secondary scorer.
Cole Chandler – Round 5, 133rd overall, 2025, Shawinigan Cataractes – Center
The 2025–26 season was a modest but meaningful offensive breakout for Chandler. Not elite, not above average — but a clear personal step forward. Expectations are always higher for an overage player in the QMJHL, and while this was his third year in Major Junior, he still has another season of eligibility on the table. Instead, he’s chosen a different path, committing to Northeastern University for next year.
I don’t expect Chandler to drive much offense. What he does bring is a steady, reliable defensive game and strong work on the penalty kill. With more offensive pop, you could project him as a bottom‑six option. As it stands, if he continues to refine the defensive side, his realistic ceiling is that of a dependable fourth‑line contributor.
Projection: Fourth line defensive specialist who can contribute on the penalty kill.
Cole Spicer – Round 4, 117th overall, 2022 – Western Michigan University – Center
Spicer has always shown flashes of offensive upside, but his development has been stuck in neutral — first due to academic hurdles, then because of multiple concussions that led to well‑documented complications. Above all else, you just hope he gets fully healthy.
Spicer is heading into a pivotal year — his last real chance to earn a contract with the Bruins before his rights expire on August 15, 2027. I believe he has the ability to make a push, but everything will need to align for him. And looking at Western Michigan’s roster and usage patterns, I’m not convinced the environment offers the ideal opportunity for him to maximize his game.
Projection: Career AHL player who could get a cup of coffee in the NHL.
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