With their second pick of the draft, at 88th overall, the Bruins turned to Sweden, selecting right winger Nils Bartholdsson from Rögle BK’s U20 program — a prospect who also earned a brief look in the SHL. It’s a swing on skill, pace, and upside from a system known for developing modern, pro‑ready talent.
Bartholdsson was one of the names I had circled for Boston in the third round, so there’s no disappointment here. This is exactly the type of value play the Bruins needed to hit at this spot.
Bartholdsson fits the exact profile the Bruins said they were hunting: speed, skill, and a shot that forces defenders to respect him. He’s a shoot‑first winger with a quick, deceptive release that gives goaltenders little time to square up. His hockey sense is strong, he competes harder than his frame suggests, and he brings a steady, reliable game shift after shift.
In terms of stylistic fit, this is right in Boston’s wheelhouse.
Bartholdsson has a knack for slipping into soft ice and isn’t the least bit hesitant to attack dangerous areas. With the puck, the vision isn’t elite, but he protects possession well and keeps plays alive. It’s a blend of instincts and competitiveness that gives him a real chance to grow into a useful pro.
Bartholdsson isn’t afraid of contact and consistently fights through it along the walls. He plays with real jump, bringing energy on both sides of the puck, and that motor shows up just as much on the backcheck as it does in the offensive zone. Shift after shift, the effort level never wavers.
If there’s one area that needs to come along, it’s adding another gear. An extra burst would elevate his offensive game and unlock more of the upside the Bruins are betting on. He’s going to need some runway to get there, but the foundation is solid — and the path forward is clear.
He is scheduled to go back to the U20 Nationell next season.
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