The Boston Bruins have officially unveiled their opening night lineup for the 2025–26 NHL season. Love it or loathe it, the debates can rage on in the chat forums. For now, let’s focus on what this roster means for the salary cap—both in the short term and down the road.
To start, this year’s NHL calendar spans 192 days, with 42 days left in the season once the trade deadline passes. That detail might not seem significant right now—but stay with me, it’ll matter soon enough.
On opening day, the Bruins’ 23-man roster carries a cap hit of $92,708,333. Factor in the retained salary for Brandon Carlo, and the total climbs to $93,323,333. That leaves Boston with $2,176,667 in cap space to work with.
With cap space to spare, the Bruins can navigate injuries without dipping into Long Term Injury Reserve—a tool that’s caused complications in seasons past. If someone on the roster isn’t meeting expectations, they’ve got the breathing room to swap them out with a replacement from Providence, even if the move isn’t a perfect dollar-for-dollar exchange.
The upside? No one on the Bruins’ opening night roster is eligible for performance bonuses. Down in Providence, the only potential bonus earners are Matthew Poitras ($80,000) and Fabian Lysell ($300,000), but the odds of either hitting those marks are slim. Boston shouldn’t need to budget for them. And even if those bonuses were somehow triggered and the team hit the cap ceiling, they could simply roll the overage into next season. The amounts are so minor, it’s barely a blip on the radar.
The cap figure is fluid—rosters shift throughout the 82-game grind, and with each change, so does the math. Every day at 5:00 p.m. EST, teams file their updated rosters with the league, and I track those changes right here (just check the cap header at the top of the page). For now, consider this your snapshot of where the Bruins stand.
With their current cap space, the Bruins could add player(s) at the trade deadline with a combined AAV of up to $9,950,478—no pro-rating required. That figure is calculated by dividing the available cap space by the number of days remaining after the deadline (42), then multiplying by the total number of days in the season (192). You can use this formula at any point in the year—just swap in the number of days left in the season for the 42 to get an updated threshold.
The Bruins suddenly find themselves with financial breathing room—a rarity in recent years—and they’ve got two clear paths to make the most of it:
If the Bruins find themselves out of playoff contention, they can leverage their cap space to absorb salary from a team looking to clear room for a postseason push. With the NHL and NHLPA tightening rules around double retention in trades—exceptions aside—Boston could step in as a facilitator, take on a contract, and pick up a valuable asset in the process.
If the Bruins are in the thick of a playoff race, their cap flexibility gives them the chance to add a player who can help now and stick around for the long haul—ideally someone younger with upside. Martin Necas is a name that’s already turning heads among fans, and he fits that profile perfectly
But what is beyond this season?
Short of bringing a player like Necas in this season, they are free and clear for next year without any bonus overages and are set to have $20.5 million in cap space without any major signings to current players needed.
Vaxjo defeated Vasteras IK 4-2 on Saturday but Pettersson missed yet another game.
On Sunday, Vaxjo defeated Sodertalje SK 6-1. Still no sign of Pettersson.
Vashek Blanar – HV71 – J20 Nationell
Blanar was called up once again to fill in on the big club in the SHL on Tuesday and Twitter/X got all excited. However, he did not play.
After last week’s 8-0 defeat to Orebro HK, HV71 bounced back with a 5-2 win over Linkoping HC on Friday. Blanar was in the lineup for his club after filling in with the big club in the SHL. Blanar did not register a point, was an even plus/minus and was held without a shot on goal.
Kirill Yemelyanov – Loko Yaroslav – MHL
Loko extended its regulation unbeaten streak with a 4–1 win over Taifun on Monday. Yemelyanov chipped in with an assist, posted a plus-1 rating, and registered three shots on goal from seven attempts over 16:39 of ice time. He was strong at the dot again, going 12-for-15 on faceoffs. He remains strong in that area overall this season with a 65.2% success rate. His shooting percentage sits at an efficient 20.0%.
Loko edged out Sakhalinskie Akuly 2–1 on Wednesday, extending their win streak and claiming the top spot in the Gold Division. Yemelyanov was held off the scoresheet, despite registering five shots on goal, one blocked shot, and winning 11 of 19 faceoffs over 18:55 of ice time.
On Sunday, Loko defeated SKA Academy 5-1. Yemelyanov did not register a point in 16:22 time on ice. He had 3 shots on goal and was a sparkling 14 for 18 on faceoffs. With 10 games under his belt this season, I can draw the conclusion that Yemelyanov puts up points in bunches – when he does.
William Zellers, – University of North Dakota
In Saturday’s exhibition, North Dakota cruised past Manitoba 7-0 with Zellers slotted in at top right wing, though it was disappointing he didn’t get consistent shifts alongside Cole Reschney; despite generating six shots on goal, he finished without a point.
Their regular season begins October 10.
Casper Nassen – Miami (Ohio)
After nearly a full calendar year without a win, Miami looked poised for another defeat Friday night, trailing Ferris State 3–2 with 15 minutes to play—until Nassen sparked a four-goal surge that sealed a 6–4 comeback. Just after a power play expired, he stepped into David Pastrnak’s usual spot and hammered home a one-timer to ignite the rally, a location Miami had been targeting for him all night. Earlier, from that same area, Nassen disrupted a clearing attempt that led to the opening goal. Skating on the third-line left wing, he finished with a goal, an assist, and four shots on goal in 12:56 of ice time.
On Saturday, Miami struck early with Nassen setting up the opening goal just 16 seconds in, paving the way for a 3-1 win in the rematch against Ferris State. Though slotted on the third line, Nassen logged 15:52 of ice time—fourth most among forwards—while finishing plus-1 with two shots on goal and contributing across all situations including the penalty kill.
James Hagens, Oskar Jellvik, Andre Gasseau, Dean Letourneau, Kristian Kostadinski, Will Moore – Boston College
Friday night’s Quinnipiac–Boston College matchup, broadcast on ESPN+ and TSN+, offered a prime look at future Bruins’ talent, with seven prospects hitting the ice in Quinnipiac’s 4–3 win; an eighth, Kristian Kostadinski, was a scratch. All eyes were on James Hagens, who started quietly but grew stronger as the game progressed, finishing with an assist, an 8-for-19 mark on faceoffs, and 21:11 of ice time. He became more and more engaged as the game progressed and even displayed some rat like qualities to get under the opposing player’s skin.
When Hagens wasn’t on the ice, attention shifted to Letourneau, who showed off a noticeably stronger frame and a more physical edge than last season. Centering the third line, he didn’t register a point but delivered a couple of heavy hits and played with purpose. Despite finishing minus-2 and going 3-for-10 on faceoffs in 12:32 of ice time, it was a promising season debut.
Boston College’s second line featured three Bruins prospects—Moore centering Jellvik and Gasseau—with mixed results in Friday’s matchup. Jellvik, returning from most of last season lost to injury, showed no lingering effects aside from some rust, finishing scoreless in 17:35 of ice time. Moore, making his NCAA debut, picked up an assist, went 5-for-12 on faceoffs, and logged 14:07. Gasseau led the trio offensively with three assists and some top power-play time, though he finished minus-1 and just 2-for-8 on draws in 19:46
Beckett Hendrickson – University of Minnesota
After spending most of last season anchored to the fourth line, Hendrickson opened this year on Minnesota’s third-line left wing and made an immediate impact in Friday’s 6–3 win over Michigan Tech. He tallied an empty-net goal and an assist, posted a plus-3 rating, and registered two shots on goal in 16:06 of ice time. Trusted with key defensive shifts, he brought his trademark energy to the forecheck, showing signs he’s ready for a larger role.
It was the same opponent, different result on Saturday as Michigan Tech upset Minnesota 5-3. Hendrickson finished without a point and was a plus-2 with just 9:12 time on ice and was without a shot on goal.
Chris Pelosi, Elliott Groenewold – Quinnipiac University
As mentioned above Quinnipiac edged Boston College 4–3 on Friday, with a noticeably stronger Chris Pelosi making an impact in multiple facets, including netting the gritty game-winner after battling in front. Centering the second line, Pelosi logged 19:52 of ice time, went 11-for-18 on faceoffs, and fired two shots on goal, picking up right where he left off late last season. On the back end, Groenewold anchored the top pair with a plus-2 rating in 23:12 of ice time, delivering a steady defensive effort aside from a costly third-period turnover that fortunately didn’t end up in the net.
Only in the NCAA do you get an exhibition game following a regular season game! That is precisely what happened on Sunday afternoon as Quinnipiac faced Philip Svedeback and Providence College and dropped a 2-1 decision in a tightly contested game. Neither Pelosi nor Groenewold were able to find the scoresheet.
Ryan Walsh – Cornell University
Cornell made it official on Tuesday, naming Walsh the captain for the 2025-2026 season. Congratulations to Ryan.
Cornell has two exhibition games schedule on October 17 and 25. Their first regular season game is on October 31.
Mason Langenbrunner – Harvard University
Harvard will play and exhibition game against Northeaster on October 18 and their regular season begins October 31.
Jonathan Morello – Boston University
Boston University opened their season with a 4-2 non-conference win over Long Island on Saturday, while Morello, relegated to fourth-line center, finished minus-1 with two shots on goal and won three of seven faceoffs; his defensive game showed promise last season, but lingering offensive struggles likely explain the limited role, and his development remains worth tracking.
In an exhibition game Sunday, BU defeated RPI 3-0. Morello scored the goal to make it 2-0. Coming in late down the left side, he took a pass and displayed his shooting ability by ripping it bar down over the goalies blocker. Once again, Morello centered the fourth line.
Philip Svedeback – Providence College
Providence College defeated Simon Fraser University in an exhibition game Friday. Svedeback played the opening half of the game and stopped all 11 shots he faced.
In Providence’s 2-1 exhibition win over Quinnipiac, Svedeback was outstanding, turning aside 29 of 30 shots and standing tall during a tense 6-on-4 in the final minutes. The only puck to get past him was a breakaway less than 6 minutes into the game. With the goaltending picture still unclear heading into the season, this being his senior year makes it all the more important for him to seize the moment.
Their first regular season game is October 10 as they host Michigan in a back-to-back.
Cooper Simpson
Youngstown dropped their first game of the season Friday, falling 3–2 in overtime to the Muskegon Lumberjacks. Simpson recorded an assist, finished even in plus/minus, and registered two shots on goal, but the standout stat was a 10-minute misconduct for an equipment violation. While not officially confirmed, it is believed to be a neck guard violation. After a strong opening night with a goal and three assists, he’s managed just two helpers over his last four outings.
Youngstown dropped the rematch 4-2 on Saturday, though Simpson notched his second goal of the season by capitalizing on a broken play—tracking the puck to the net and burying it to tie the game 1-1 at the time; he finished plus-1 with four shots on goal. There is a lot to like about this young man – but there is plenty of development ahead of him.
Cole Chandler – Shawinigan – QMJHL
Charlottetown edged Shawinigan 4–3 in overtime on Wednesday. Chandler was held off the scoresheet, registered two hits, and went 5-for-16 on faceoffs across 17:53 of ice time. He finished the night with a minus-2 rating. Not his sharpest outing, but with just four games played, it’s far too early to draw conclusions.
Shawinigan dropped their third straight game Friday, falling 5–3 to the Drummondville Voltigeurs. Chandler didn’t hit the scoresheet but posted a plus-2 rating, logged 18:02 of ice time, and managed one shot on goal. His faceoff performance was a weak spot, going just 6-for-16 in the circle.
On Sunday, Shawinigan ended their three-game skid with a 6-3 win over Sherbrooke. Chandler had an assist, was a plus-1 with one hit and was 6 for 13 on the dot.
Cole Spicer – Western Michigan
Western Michigan defeated the USNDT U-18 7-0 in exhibition action on Saturday. Spicer did not play.
Their regular season begins October 9.
Providence Bruins
Providence cruised to a 4–0 shutout win over the Springfield Thunderbirds in Friday’s exhibition matchup. With Boston yet to finalize its assignments to Providence, the lineup featured several players likely bound for the ECHL’s Maine Mariners. Luke Cavallin turned aside all 23 shots he faced, earning the clean sheet. His performance adds intrigue to the goaltending picture—depending on what happens with MichaelDiPietro, Cavallin may be in contention with Simon Zajicek for the backup role.
Brooklyn Kalmikov, a candidate for Maine Mariners duty, made a strong case with two power-play goals. Jacob Perreault, signed late by Providence in September, chipped in three assists as he looks to reignite his career. Lynden McCallum, another Mariners hopeful aiming to crack the AHL roster, added a goal and an assist to his stat line.
Springfield needed overtime to edge Providence 2-1 in Sunday’s rematch, with McCallum tallying his second goal of the postseason—assisted by Perreault, who notched his fourth and turned in a steady performance; Zajicek went the distance in net, stopping 23 of 25 shots, Fabian Lysell led all skaters with four shots on goal, and Ty Gallagher earned marks for stepping in after his goaltender was run early in the third.
With the roster cuts announced by Boston earlier in the day, this Providence team looks like it will be fun to watch this season.
Frederic Brunet has had a solid camp with the Bruins. Photo by Boston Bruins
In the abbreviated 2020–21 campaign, I caught a few games featuring Frederic Brunet with the Rimouski Oceanic in the QMJHL. It marked his initial year of eligibility for the NHL Entry Draft. However, Brunet went undrafted and would re-enter the draft for 2022.
I caught several more of his games during the 2021–22 season and had a hunch a team might take a chance on him in his second draft go-around. The Boston Bruins did just that, grabbing him in the fifth round at 132nd overall. Since then, I’ve followed his journey closely—whether in the QMJHL, AHL, or NHL, I’ve missed only a handful of his outings.
Brunet wrapped up the 2022–23 campaign splitting time between Rimouski and the Victoriaville Tigres, posting an impressive 16 goals and 57 assists over 66 games. His standout performance earned him runner-up honors for QMJHL Defenseman of the Year.
Two key questions loomed: Could his offensive production carry over to the pro ranks, and would his defensive play progress enough to solidify him as a legitimate NHL prospect? At the time, even the Bruins seemed to have reservations. Though he was eligible to sign immediately, they waited until October 2023—just ahead of the Providence Bruins’ season, where he began his first year as a professional
I am sure plenty of credit should go to the Bruins scout in the Q, Alain Bissonnette.
Brunet is a receptive, hard-working player who embraces the grind required to elevate his game. Development rarely follows a straight path, but in his case, progress has arrived ahead of schedule. While he’s unlikely to replicate his junior-level offensive output, he’s poised to excel in puck retrieval and quick transition play—traits that translate well to the pro level.
He doesn’t have the booming shot that one requires to be a true powerplay quarterback, but he gets pucks to the danger zones. In his final season in the Q, he led all players at getting the puck to the slot. He found that same success in the AHL.
The most notable strides have come in his defensive play, where he’s added a welcome layer of physicality. There’s still room to refine his game, but the conversation has shifted—from wondering if he’ll make it to simply waiting on when.
A bit more seasoning in Providence will serve him well, but when injuries inevitably strike in Boston, Brunet’s name is likely to be in the mix. Beyond that? The roster in Boston is tight, but Brunet’s progression will eventually demand a decision—he won’t be overlooked for long.
Vaxjo defeated Linkoping HC 4-1 on Tuesday and they did it without Pettersson who missed his second game.
Pettersson missed his third consecutive game on Saturday as Vaxjo faced off against Frolunda HC and fell 6-2. With a record of 2-3-1, Vaxjo needs him in the lineup. Still no official news from the team about his absence.
Vashek Blanar – HV71 – J20 Nationell
Blanar did not play in Saturday’s 6-5 shootout loss to Farjestad BK. However, this was not an injury. Blanar was called up by the big club in the SHL as HV71 was down a defenseman and wore number 88 as the seventh defenseman for HV71. It was a 2-1 loss against Frolunda HC but Blanar did not see the ice. If you recall, Kristian Kostadinski was in a similar situation with Frolunda two seasons ago.
Blanar returned to the ice on Sunday in the U20 and HV71 were handed an embarrassing 8-0 loss by Orebro. Not much to say other than it was ugly. On to the next one.
Kirill Yemelyanov – Loko Yaroslav – MHL
Loko blanked Amurskie Tigry 6-0 on Saturday morning to improve to 5-1-0-0-1-0 (W-OTW-SOW-OL-L). Yemelyanov did not register a point in the victory. In 17:46 TOI he had 3 SOG on 7 attempts, was a plus-2 and was 8 for 11 on the dot for 73%.
I’ve been following the MHL since its inaugural 2010–11 campaign, when Russian hockey consolidated its junior structure into a single, unified league. Over the years, it’s become clear that truly well-rounded players are few and far between at this level—but Yemelyanov stands out as one of those rare exceptions. I’m confident he’ll earn a shot in a higher-tier league before the season’s out, whether that’s the VHL (Russia’s AHL equivalent) or the KHL itself.
Cooper Simpson
Youngstown opened its back-to-back set against the NTDP on Friday with a strong showing, earning a 3–1 win. Simpson chipped in with an assist, posted a team-best plus-2 rating, and led all skaters with three shots on goal. His line, joined by Ryan Rucinski and Evan Jardine, was relentless in the opening frame—disrupting play in the offensive zone and generating a steady stream of chances off forced turnovers.
Youngstown handled the rematch with authority on Saturday, cruising to a 5–2 win. Chandler was held off the scoresheet but led the team with four shots on goal. His linemates also went without points, yet their relentless forecheck and ability to force turnovers in the offensive zone continued to make an impact. Just four games into the season, it’s already clear that Simpson’s line is shaping up to be one of the USHL’s most formidable.
Cole Chandler – Shawinigan – QMJHL
Shawinigan fell to 1-1-0-1 after a 4–1 defeat at the hands of Blainville-Boisbriand on Friday. Chandler was held off the scoresheet and, despite not being credited with a shot attempt (a point of contention), he was dominant in the faceoff circle—winning 10 of 13 draws. That performance bumps his season faceoff success rate to an impressive 71.8%.
Off the ice, Chandler has committed to play at Northeastern University for the 2026-27 season. Chandler made the announcement on his Instagram page on Saturday.
Providence Bruins
Boston announced its initial round of roster cuts on Sunday, with several players set to report to Providence’s training camp. Among them are goaltenders Simon Zajicek and Luke Cavallin, along with defensemen Jackson Edward, Loke Johansson, and Max Wanner. Also reassigned were defensemen TyGallagher and Colin Felix, as well as forwards Jake Schmaltz, Joey Abate and Ty Cheveldayoff, all on AHL contracts.
Surprisingly, the Bruins opted not to place any players on waivers for assignment to Providence. This suggests one of two possibilities: either the player remains in contention for a roster spot, or the organization is wary of losing someone to a waiver claim.
The following players remain at camp and are exempt from waivers: Dalton Bancroft, Riley Duran, JohnFarinacci, Brett Harrison, Dans Locmelis, Fabian Lysell, Fraser Minten, Matthew Poitras, and FredericBrunet. All others would require waivers for assignment.
I wanted to touch on the hiring of ZdenoChara as Hockey Operations Advisor and Mentor. Part of his duties according to the Bruins release says “he will also serve as a resource for the team’s development staff and make periodic visits to connect with prospects at the AHL level.”
That got me thinking—who stands to gain the most from Chara’s presence in Providence? Two names jumped out right away: Jackson Edward and Loke Johansson. Chara knows their playing styles and positional demands better than anyone in the organization, and his mentorship could be a game-changer in helping them elevate their development.
Edward and Johansson both play a hard-nosed, shutdown style with just enough offensive upside. There’s no better mentor for that mold than Chara—one of the most dominant physical defenders the game has ever seen. And with their high coachability, you can bet they’ll soak up every bit of wisdom he offers
Frederic Brunet wasn’t exactly front of mind for me, but his development path is well understood—an offensively inclined defenseman who’s long needed to sharpen his defensive game and add more bite physically. He’s made some progress but with Chara now in the fold, there’s real potential for accelerated growth. You couldn’t script a better mentor for that kind of evolution.
Chara’s influence isn’t limited to just a few players—but Edward and Johansson, in particular, mirror his style more closely than anyone else on the roster, including echoes of Adam McQuaid. That similarity positions them to benefit the most from his presence. Let’s be clear, though: they’re not becoming Zdeno Chara. They may not even become NHL players. That’s not the point. But they have the most to gain.
Coming up this week:
Things really start to pick up this week as most prospects will be getting into game action with some exhibition (ex) also slated!
Tickets are now available to the public for both games of the two-game series between Team CHL and the U.S. National Under-18 Team, beginning November 25 in Calgary and concluding November 26 in Lethbridge – purchase yours today at chl.ca/prospectschallenge
TORONTO, ON – The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) and Member Leagues — the Western Hockey League (WHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) — are proud to announce the first three players named to Team CHL’s roster for the 2025 CHL USA Prospects Challenge, set for November 25 at Calgary’s Scotiabank Saddledome and November 26 at VisitLethbridge.com Arena.
Defenceman Ryan Lin (Vancouver Giants / WHL), forward Ryan Roobroeck (Niagara IceDogs / OHL), and defenceman Xavier Villeneuve (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada / QMJHL) have been selected by NHL Central Scouting as the first roster additions. All three are considered top prospects for the 2026 NHL Draft, set to be rated as ‘A’ prospects on NHL Central Scouting’s Players to Watch List for the 2026 NHL Draft (to be released October 20, 2025), and were key members of Canada’s gold medal-winning team at the 2025 IIHF Under-18 World Championship.
“Ryan Lin, Ryan Roobroeck, and Xavier Villeneuve bring the kind of skill, intensity, and excitement fans will see at this year’s CHL USA Prospects Challenge,” said Dan MacKenzie, CHL President. “They’ve already proven themselves as standouts in their leagues and on the international stage, and now they’ll set the tone for an electric showcase in Calgary and Lethbridge against their greatest rivals – the United States.”
“The first three prospects named to Team CHL – Ryan Lin (Vancouver, WHL), Ryan Roobroeck (Niagara, OHL), and Xavier Villeneuve (Blainville-Boisbriand, QMJHL) – are established impact players in their respective leagues, each capable of delivering the kind of sensational plays that influence the outcome of a game,” stated Dan Marr, Director of NHL Central Scouting. “There are many more exceptional CHL prospects who will be selected to this roster in consultation with the 32 NHL clubs, ensuring fans witness a true best-on-best showcase of elite junior talent.”
Tickets Now Available Tickets are now on sale for both games of the 2025 CHL USA Prospects Challenge. Fans can lock in their seats today for this two-game showcase, which will feature the top 2026 NHL Draft-eligible prospects from the WHL, OHL & QMJHL competing against those from USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program (NTDP) Under-18 Team.
Ryan Lin (Vancouver Giants / WHL): The 17-year-old from Richmond, B.C., tallied 53 points in 60 games during 2024-25, ranking seventh among U17 defencemen across the CHL since 1990. He became just the second WHL rookie blueliner aged 16 or younger to surpass 50 points in a season since Kamloops Blazers alumnus Scott Niedermayer (1989-90). In Vancouver Giants history, only Gilbert Brule (60 points, 2003-04) and Cameron Schmidt (58 points, 2023-24) have recorded more points as 16-year-old rookies.
Ryan Roobroeck (Niagara IceDogs / OHL): The 17-year-old from London, Ont., erupted for 41 goals and 87 points in 2024-25, leading the IceDogs in both categories. His 41 goals were tied for the most among all CHL players eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft, while his 87 points made him one of just two in that class to top the 60-point mark last season. He also joined an elite group as one of only 14 CHL players since 2000 to score 40 or more goals in the season immediately preceding their first year of NHL Draft eligibility.
Xavier Villeneuve (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada / QMJHL): The 17-year-old from Les Cèdres, Que., captured the Émile-Bouchard Trophy as QMJHL Defenceman of the Year following the 2024-25 campaign, becoming only the third player of his age in league history to earn the honour, alongside Samuel Girard (2016) and Jean-Jacques Daigneault (1983). Villeneuve led all QMJHL blueliners with 50 assists – including 28 on the power play – while his 62 points ranked second among defencemen in 2024-25. He capped off his season by helping Canada win gold at the 2025 IIHF U18 World Championship, where he led all tournament defencemen with four goals.
About the CHL USA Prospects Challenge First introduced in 2024, the CHL USA Prospects Challenge is a best-on-best, two-game series showcasing the top NHL Draft-eligible players from the WHL, OHL, and QMJHL competing against the U.S. National Under-18 Team. The 2025 edition in Calgary and Lethbridge will once again highlight many of the premier prospects projected to be selected in the early rounds of the 2026 NHL Draft.
The inaugural event, held last November in London and Oshawa, proved to be a resounding success. Of the 22 participants on Team CHL, 16 were selected in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft:
Matthew Schaefer (Erie Otters / OHL) – 1st overall, New York Islanders
Michael Misa (Saginaw Spirit / OHL) – 2nd overall, San Jose Sharks
Vaxjo squared off against Vashek Blanar and HV71 on Friday but fell short, dropping the contest 4–2. That’s strike one for Växjö. Strike two: Pettersson was absent from the lineup, and as of now, there’s no official word on whether it’s due to injury.
*Special note: I am a little annoyed that some folks tweeted about this game as if they were watching it when it was clear they weren’t. Not a single person I saw tweeting about this game even acknowledged that Pettersson wasn’t even playing. In fact, some even tweeted that “Bruins’ prospect Liam Pettersson scored.” When I pointed out it was Hugo Pettersson that scored and that he is not a Bruins prospect, they deleted their post.
Vashek Blanar – HV71 – J20 Nationell
As stated above, HV71 defeated Vaxjo 4-2 in the head-to-head matchup between Blanar and Pettersson on Friday. Blanar set up the empty net goal with 12 seconds remaining to secure the victory and raising his totals to 2 goals and 2 assists in just 3 games. Blanar had 3 SOG with 1 blocked shot and 20:48 TOI.
Saturday was a rough outing for HV71, as they were soundly beaten 5–1 by Frölunda in a lopsided affair. Blanar, holding his spot on the top defensive pair, didn’t contribute to HV71’s lone goal. He finished the game with a minus-1 rating, recorded one shot on goal, one blocked shot, and logged 20:21 of ice time.
Kirill Yemelyanov – Loko Yaroslav – MHL
Loko skated past HC Kapitan with a 4–2 victory on Wednesday, but for the second straight outing, Yemelyanov didn’t register a point. Still, his impact was felt all over the ice. He fired 7 shots, landing 2 on goal, won 4 of 10 faceoffs, logged 18:11 of ice time, and added a block and two takeaways to his stat line. Despite the quiet scoreboard, Yemelyanov’s defensive instincts were on full display. He consistently disrupted Kapitan’s breakout attempts and shut down passing lanes in his own zone, showing sharp positional awareness and anticipation. It was a standout performance in the trenches—proof that you don’t need points to dominate a game defensively.
Early Sunday morning (in North America), Loko rolled past AKM-Junior with a commanding 5–0 win, and Yemelyanov was the driving force behind the offensive surge. He opened the scoring with a gritty, heads-up play—his relentless forecheck kept the puck alive in the zone, and he finished the sequence by crashing the slot and burying a short-range feed. He followed that up with two more goals to complete the hat trick. The second came from sheer hustle, cleaning up a loose puck at the crease. The third was classic Yemelyanov: parked near the circle on the power play, he unleashed a quick-release shot that beat the goalie clean. After a two-game drought, this was a statement performance—and a reminder of just how dangerous he can be.
Cooper Simpson – Youngstown – USHL
Statement made. If Cooper Simpson had a point to prove in the USHL season opener against his former squad, he delivered it loud and clear. Youngstown blanked Tri-City 5–0, and Simpson was at the heart of it all. He opened the scoring with a dazzling solo effort, toe-dragging past a defender before finishing backhand-forehand for the game-winner. From there, he turned playmaker, assisting on three of the next four goals to cap off a 4-point night. Simpson fired five shots on goal, finished +3, and logged 19:13 of ice time in a dominant performance that set the tone for the season.
On Saturday, Youngstown edged out Cedar Rapids in a 4–3 shootout thriller, notching another win to keep their momentum rolling. It was a quieter night statistically for Simpson, who was held off the scoresheet, but his presence was still felt. He registered four shots on goal, logged 19:48 of ice time, and finished with a minus-1 rating. Despite the lack of points, Simpson continued to generate chances with his sharp offensive instincts—whether threading passes to teammates or creating chances for himself. It may not have been a headline performance, but it’s clear he remains a consistent threat. All in all, a solid continuation to an impressive start to the season.
Cole Chandler – Shawinigan – QMJHL
Shawinigan’s QMJHL campaign kicked off with a tough 5–4 shootout loss to Victoriaville—not the start they were hoping for. Chandler chipped in with an assist, went 50% on faceoffs (7-for-14), delivered two hits, and logged 18:41 of ice time. He also led the team in penalty minutes with six, including a double minor for roughing—bringing plenty of edge to an already intense opener.
On Sunday, Shawinigan cruised past Drummondville with a commanding 5-1 win. Just 40 seconds after extending their lead to 2-0 early in the third period, Chandler made his mark. Positioned to the right of the crease, he dropped to one knee and buried a crisp cross-ice pass for his first goal of the season. He later chipped in with an assist, bringing his total to three points through the first two games of the young campaign
Here we go! With the Prospects Challenge and rookie camp now in the rearview, the main training camp kicks off today. As anticipation builds for the upcoming season, questions abound—about the rookies, the prospects, and what lies ahead. That’s why I’ve opened up this mailbag: to dive into your questions and share insights as best I can.
Let’s get right to it!
Joseph asks: Do you see John Farinacci as a legit prospect or a AHL pro?
Thanks, Joseph. I’m a fan of Farinacci—he’s got some NHL-level tools and skills—but his path to the Bruins seems to be narrowing, and he may find better opportunities with another organization. He’s reliable defensively, excels on the penalty kill, and consistently does the small, smart things that coaches appreciate. That said, he’s not likely to be a major offensive contributor. If he had more scoring upside, he might’ve been in the mix for the third-line right wing spot this season—but that’s just not where his strengths lie.
Cindy asks: Why are so many prospects missing from rookie camp, especially James Hagens? You would think the Bruins would want to see how they stack up against each other.
Thanks, Cindy. To start, NCAA players—of which the Bruins have 16—are ineligible under NCAA rules. Once their academic term begins, they cannot miss classes to attend NHL camps without jeopardizing their eligibility. As for the European players, their seasons are already underway, so they’re unavailable to participate. Regarding professional eligibility, it’s based on service to the team as defined by Pension Fund criteria, not by the number of games played or years of service.
Eugene asks: Dom, tell us your picks of the guys to watch and who might be the surprise guys to make a run to the big club. Thanks in advance
Thanks, Eugene. I’d say Michael DiPietro is probably at the top of the list. I believe he’s got the will to push through camp, but if he ends up making the big club straight out of it, that would be the biggest surprise for me.
John asks: Dom, do you really think Marco Sturm can make a difference with this roster? Keep up the good work!
Honestly, it’s hard to imagine things going worse than last season with two different coaches in the mix. Once exhibition games get underway, we’ll get a better sense of how he wants the team to play and what his system looks like. Still, at the end of the day, it’s up to the players to execute. If they don’t. then it’s the roster.
Josh asks: In your prospects report, you mentioned that Russian kid got off to a great start. Could he be a gem?
Kirill Yemelyanov got off to a promising start, but then went scoreless in his next two games. Development isn’t a straight line—he still has a long road ahead. The key is steady progress from season to season. No need to rush things; let’s see how it unfolds. I’ll keep everyone posted as he continues to grow.
Jm Jonesy asks: How do you think Jackson Edward has progressed and what kind of projection do you think he has as a professional hockey player?
Thanks, Jm. Last season was a tough one for Edward. If you haven’t already, I recommend checking out Mark Divver’s article on him. That said, he showed well at rookie camp and had two solid outings at the Prospects Challenge. He’s still got some development ahead, but I see his potential as a sixth or seventh defenseman who can play both sides.
*Note: There were over a dozen questions pertaining to the roster so, I chose one and hope this answers all of them:
Claudio asks: Dom, thank you for the great work you do and keep it up! Do you have a roster projection for the upcoming season and can you share it with us?
Thanks, Claudio. Honestly, I don’t have one. I’d rather wait and see how things shake out in camp—you never really know who’s going to earn a spot. As I see it, DiPietro and Joonas Korpisalo will be competing for the backup role, but even then, I think Korpisalo will get the nod barring a total collapse.
As for the blue line, the top six spots seem pretty much set, which means the real competition will be for that seventh defenseman slot. Jordan Harris, Victor Soderstrom, and Michael Callahan are all in the mix. Harris might have the advantage thanks to his ability to play both sides, but that’s far from a lock.
Up front, I see four roster spots up for grabs—including the thirteenth and fourteenth forward roles. The competition for those slots looks tight, with Fraser Minten, Matthew Poitras, John Beecher, Matej Blumel, Marat Khusnutdinov, Sean Kuraly, and Fabian Lysell all in the mix, in no particular order.
Cory asks: Thanks for taking my question, Dom. Do you think Dans Locmelis can make the roster out of camp? You were pretty high on him since they drafted him.
Thanks, Cory. Yeah, I was. I don’t think he’s quite ready to crack the roster out of camp. He might get a call-up later in the season, but I believe both he and the team would benefit more from him spending time in the AHL and continuing to adjust to the pro game. He looked solid after joining Providence late last season, but I always wonder—how much of that was just adrenaline? There’s no need to rush his development right now.
Jeff says: I’m a healthcare professional in the last stretch before retirement and a dual citizen living in Boulder Colorado but just bought a property near Collingwood (5 minutes from Blue Mountain resort and 5 minutes from Northwind’s beach). I may go there next summer again but will move there with my girlfriend 6/27. About your age and a Bruins fan since Orr and following your great work since the 3 amigos. Wonder if you may someday be interested in hanging out and chatting Bruins? I will spend most of my time skiing at Blue Mountain, or hanging out at my clubhouse hot spring, the many local beaches and going to outdoor concerts and art galleries. I also hike a lot and we do open mics together at the local bars (but I’m not much of a drinker)- I’m a musician and she’s done acting and performs comedy. Best wishes Jeff.
Thanks Jeff. The 3 Amigos podcast was the best! I wish we could have kept it going, but all good things come to an end. I am always up for sitting down and talking Bruins. Collingwood is only about 2 hors away. I am retiring next year so. I can’t say where I’ll be or what I will be doing, but you can always reach out here!
The U20 Nationell season kicked off Saturday with Vaxjo making a strong statement in their opener, cruising past the Malmo Redhawks with a 4–1 win. Pettersson—arguably the most overlooked name from June’s draft—got things rolling midway through the first period, giving Vaxjo an early 1–0 edge. The second frame saw Vaxjo take full control, netting two more goals to stretch the lead to 3–0 before Malmo managed to respond with one of their own. In the final period, Vaxjo tightened the screws defensively, limiting Malmo to just 15 shots on goal in the game. Pettersson anchored the top defensive pairing, logged four shots on goal, and finished the night with a solid plus-1 rating.
Sunday’s matchup was nothing short of a rout. Rogle BK steamrolled Vaxjo with a commanding 7–0 win. Pettersson, meanwhile, had a rough outing—no points on the board, a minus-2 rating, and four penalty minutes stemming from a single sequence involving cross-checking and roughing where he defended himself. Despite the lopsided score, Pettersson showed flashes of impact. Anchoring the top defensive pair, he led his team with four shots on goal and currently tops the roster in that category through two games. It’s early days, but he’s emerging as a consistent shot-producing presence from the blue line.
Vashek Blanar – HV71 – J20 Nationell
Blanar’s season also opened Saturday as HV71 squared off against Sodertalje SK, but it was a tough start as they fell 4–1. Skating on HV71’s top defensive pairing, Blanar wasn’t involved in the team’s lone goal and had a moment he’d likely want back—taking a tripping penalty early in the third that led to Sodertalje’s fourth goal, effectively sealing the game. He wrapped up the night with a minus-1 rating and one shot on goal. Still, flashes of his raw talent were evident throughout the contest. Blanar’s journey promises to be a long and compelling one, with plenty of room for growth and refinement ahead.
HV71 handed Vasteras IK a resounding 8–2 defeat on Sunday, and Blanar was front and center in the onslaught. He lit the lamp twice, chipped in with an assist, and despite picking up two minor penalties—one for boarding—he still managed to dominate. His first goal was pure artistry: collecting a pass at the left point, slicing through the slot, and lifting a wicked backhand over the goalie from the right side of the crease. He wrapped up the night with a stellar plus-5 rating.
Kirill Yemelyanov – Loko Yaroslav – MHL
The MHL regular season kicked off Monday for Yemelyanov and his Loco Yaroslavl squad, who opened with a dominant 7–1 win over Mikhailov Academy. Trailing 1–0, Yemelyanov made his mark just five minutes after returning from a minor penalty. On the power play, he took a feed on the right side of the net, dropped to one knee, and hammered home a one-timer to tie the game. From there, Loco took full control and never looked back. Yemelyanov finished the night with one point and logged 18:12 of ice time. He finished at 70% on the dot, 5 SOG on 6 attempts and a blocked shot.
In Tuesday’s rematch, Loco Yaroslavl edged past Mikhailov Academy in a tightly contested 2–1 overtime victory. With the game knotted at 1–1, Yemelyanov delivered the winner just 1:23 into the extra frame—his second power-play goal in as many games. Positioned once again to the right of the net, he received a crisp pass and snapped a lightning-quick wrist shot under the goalie’s glove. He finished the game with a minus-1 rating and logged 19:34 of ice time. He went 65% on the dot, had 4 SOG on 7 attempts and 1 blocked shot.
Loko stays perfect to open the season, cruising to a 6–1 victory over Dynamo on Friday to notch their third straight win. Yemelyanov was once again a standout, racking up a goal and two assists in the dominant performance. He got things rolling on the powerplay, contributing a secondary assist on the opening tally. Then, late in the second period, he found the back of the net at even strength—taking a crisp pass in the slot and ripping it over the goalie’s shoulder to make it 4–0. Just 35 seconds into the third, he added another secondary assist to cap off his productive night. He finished with 17:35 TOI, was 67% on the dot, 4 SOG on 6 attempts and 2 blocked shots.
Loko suffered their first loss this season with a tough 2-1 overtime loss to Dynamo on Saturday. Yemelyanov was held off the scoresheet, finishing with a minus-1 rating, one shot on goal, and 19:35 of ice time. In the faceoff circle, he went 5-for-11 (45%) and recorded one blocked shot. It’s only been four games, but I am certainly impressed this early on. It’s going to be fun watching him develop and see how far he can go.
Prospects Challenge
Pittsburgh 2 – Boston 1
The Bruins prospects stumbled out of the gate at this year’s Prospect Challenge in Buffalo, falling 2-1 to the Penguins’ young guns. Boston struggled to find rhythm through the first two periods, delivering a lukewarm performance. But things shifted in the third, as they ramped up their activation of the defense and began generating more pressure. Unfortunately, that late surge came at a price—an untimely breakdown with just 26 seconds left sealed their fate.
Simon Zajicek stole the spotlight in net, turning aside 30 of 32 shots—many of which came from prime scoring areas. In his debut on the smaller ice surface, Zajicek showed impressive adaptability, reading his angles with well and reacting with lightning-fast reflexes. His low-post strength was evident, and he flashed a sharp glove and blocker throughout the game, tracking the puck with confidence. While his overall performance was stellar, one minor hiccup stood out: some difficulty executing the RVH. Still, with a bit of time under the guidance of Mike Dunham, that wrinkle should smooth out quickly.
Fraser Minten, Brett Harrison, and Riley Duran led the charge up front, each making a strong impression. Invitee Mavrick Lachance, despite his 5’8″ frame, was relentless on the puck and brought surprising physicality to the ice—including dropping the gloves in a tilt.
Minten showcased his two-way game, locking things down defensively while generating a slew of offensive chances that didn’t quite make it onto the scoresheet. Harrison came close to lighting the lamp with several prime opportunities, including a blistering one-timer that rang off the post. As for Duran, his reputation as a fearless forechecker was on full display Friday, as he battled hard in the trenches and consistently drove play into the tough areas.
On the back end, Dylan MacKinnon delivered exactly what was expected—a steady, defense-first presence. While his offensive ceiling remains limited, his reliability in his own zone was evident throughout the night. Jackson Edward made his physical presence felt, consistently disrupting opposing forwards. When the Bruins began pushing their blueliners into the play more aggressively in the third, it was Edward who spearheaded that shift, showing confidence and assertiveness. Loke Johansson had a solid outing overall, but a misread in the offensive zone late in the game proved costly, leaving him out of position on the eventual game-winner.
Boston 6 – New Jersey 4
It was a different story on Sunday as the prospects defeated the Devils prospects 6-4. But it didn’t come easy as they gave up 1-0 and 2-1 leads very quickly after gaining them. They did manage to take a 4-2 but gave that up as well before securing the victory.
Minten once again proved to be the standout performer on the ice, excelling at both ends. His defensive presence was particularly impressive, and he complemented it with a goal, an assist, and several sharp offensive contributions. Harrison chipped in with two assists and generated a few solid scoring chances, though he couldn’t capitalize. He showed flashes of strong play when engaged, but lacked consistency throughout the game. Dans Locmelis also recorded a goal and an assist, and was generally reliable defensively. It’s clear he possesses the skill set to become an NHL-caliber player, though some development time in Providence would serve him well.
Duran continued to make his mark with relentless hustle, aggressive forechecking, and dependable penalty killing. Though Cooper Simpson didn’t appear on the scoresheet, his awareness and drive were evident throughout. He’s still a work in progress, but the raw talent and foundational skills are clearly in place. It’s just a matter of time and patience.
On the blueline, Edward delivered another solid performance, showcasing his reliability in puck retrieval, offensive activation, and physical play. While his hits weren’t punishing, his ability to contain opponents along the boards and steer them to the outside was consistently effective. He also netted the game-winning goal, adding a clutch moment to his outing. However, two questionable tripping penalties marred an otherwise strong showing—an area he’ll need to clean up.
Johansson and Ty Gallagher were similarly effective, both contributing with smart puck retrievals and timely offensive zone activation. Gallagher made his presence felt with a well-placed goal from the point, highlighting his shooting ability. MacKinnon stood out defensively, blocking shots and playing with a physical edge. He also stepped up for a teammate, dropping the gloves after a clean hit behind the Boston net—an act that underscored his leadership and willingness to stand up for his team.
Goaltender Ben Hrebik started strong, holding his own through the first and even the second period. But that early third-period powerplay goal by New Jersey—the one that tied the game—was a letdown. Frankly, he should’ve stopped it, and it left me a bit disappointed.
Coming up this week:
Around the Internet
Jackson Edward’s rookie season with Providence was anything but smooth. During a conversation with Mark Divver at the Prospects Challenge in Buffalo on Saturday, the young defenseman candidly reflected on the personal challenges he faced, including family issues that weighed heavily throughout the year. You can read the full story here.
Jacob Perreault was a highly touted prospect from the Sarnia Sting. The Providence Bruins signed him to a one-year AHL contract. Photo by Luke Durda/OHL Images
The Boston Bruins appear confident in offering former first-round picks a fresh start and a chance to thrive in their system. It’s a strategy that occasionally pays off—just look at Pavel Zacha. Sometimes it doesn’t, as the cases of Max Jones and Riley Tufte suggest.
Today, they added another name to the list: Jacob Perreault, the Anaheim Ducks’ second of two first-round pick from 2020 (which, coincidently was Boston’s original pick). But there’s a notable distinction—while Zacha (via trade), Jones, and Tufte all arrived under NHL contracts, Perreault joins the fold on a one-year AHL deal and will join the Providence Bruins.
There is no risk with this signing, but there is potential for reward.
Jacob Perreault, once a standout with the Sarnia Sting, was widely regarded as a skilled first-round talent. In my final 2020 OHL rankings, he landed sixth among all OHL prospects, while NHL Central Scouting placed him 17th among North American skaters. For a deeper dive, you can check out my full 2020 scouting report on Perreault here.
So where did it go wrong?
After six seasons in the AHL, you’d think we’d have a clear picture of who Jacob Perreault is. But the numbers tell a different story—he’s appeared in just 218 games over that span, averaging only 36 games per season. Considering the AHL schedule runs at least 68 games annually, and his busiest season topped out at 57, it’s clear he’s never had a full runway to truly establish himself.
Injuries are the biggest concern.
Perreault has dealt with a string of significant setbacks over the years—shoulder separation, fractured collarbone, heel surgery, and the ever-ambiguous upper body injury. These are tough blows for any seasoned pro to bounce back from, let alone a young prospect in need of consistent development time. The fact that these injuries came in succession only made the challenge steeper.
And this is why it is an AHL deal and not an NHL deal. It’s an opportunity for Perreault to start from the beginning, hopefully injury free and see if he can get his game back. If not, there is no risk to the organization.
There’s been some online debate about whether Matej Blumel—and a few others—are waiver exempt heading into the 2025–26 NHL season. Let’s break it down and try to set the record straight.
The key factor in determining a player’s waiver exemption status is the age at which he signed his NHL entry-level contract. That age sets the threshold for how long—either in seasons or in games played—a player can remain exempt. If a player hits the required number of seasons before reaching the game limit, or vice versa, he’ll need to clear waivers to be reassigned.
Signing age
Years required
NHL GP required
18
5
160
19
4
160
20
3
160
21
3
80
22
3
70
23
3
60
24
2
60
25
–
–
Take Blumel as a case in point. He signed his entry-level contract at age 22, which sets his waiver threshold at either three completed seasons or 70 NHL games played—whichever comes first. Although he’s only appeared in 13 NHL games, he’s already finished three professional seasons, meaning he now requires waivers
The Bruins exempt from waivers heading into the season are: Matthew Poitras, Fraser Minten, Dalton Bancroft, Riley Duran, Fabian Lysell, Dans Locmelis, Brett Harrison, John Farinacci, Frederic Brunet, Jackson Edward, Loke Johansson and Max Wanner.
Goaltenders Simon Zajicek and Luke Cavallin are waiver exempt. The years and games played are different for goaltenders.
