The Boston Bruins’ draft history has been heavily scrutinized over the last decade or so. Finding the right players in the draft and then developing them into consistently productive NHL players has often proved challenging for Boston.
The good news for the Bruins is the quality of their prospect pool hasn’t been this good in a while.
Many of the team’s recent draft picks, including its last two first-round selections, are playing quite well to begin the 2025-26 season.
The most encouraging development has been the performance of 2024 first-rounder Dean Letourneau, who scored zero goals with just two assists in 36 games for Boston College as a freshman last season. He already has 11 points (five goals, six assists) in just 13 games this season.
Not only is Letourneau generating scoring chances for himself and his teammates, he’s using his 6-foot-7 frame to carve out positioning in front of the net and win puck battles all over the ice.
It’s rare to find a player with his size and offensive skill. Letourneau is only 19 years old, and he still has a lot of areas to improve, but seeing him start to put it together for the Eagles is a very encouraging sign for the B’s.
The Bruins chose Letourneau’s teammate, James Hagens, with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2025 draft. Hagens has already scored six goals in 13 games after scoring 11 in 37 games for the Eagles last season. His 13 total points are tied for the team lead.
Hagens’ elite playmaking ability and smooth skating make him a nightmare to defend. He added plenty of strength in the offseason, and it shows with the way he’s forechecking and battling for pucks. He has the potential to be a first-line center, which is what the Bruins desperately need.
Hagens and Letourneau aren’t the only Bruins prospects firing on all cylinders right now.
Will Zellers, who the B’s acquired as part of the Charlie Coyle trade with the Colorado Avalanche last season, already has a team-leading seven goals in 12 games for the University of North Dakota. After playing in the USHL last season and leading all players with 44 goals, Zellers has made a seamless transition to the college game.
Whether it’s a one-timer from the circle or a wrist shot from in close, Zellers’ shot is a rocket. His offensive repertoire is really impressive for a freshman.
The Bruins have other prospects who are shining early in the season, but these three are the most impressive so far.
Boston has a lot of roster weaknesses at the NHL level to address, and one of the biggest is a lack of impact players offensively. David Pastrnak and Morgan Geekie are the only Bruins forwards who put any kind of fear into opponents.
Luckily for the Bruins, they have some prospects who might be able to bring that skill set to Boston down the road.