Team: 2021-22 Boston Bruins

Initial Creation Date: Jun. 24, 2021

Published: Jun. 24, 2021

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

I'll start by acknowledging that a) this could be a tough draft to predict and b) the Bruins may not be as in love with the core player of this discussion as much as I am. With that said, I have been obsessed with Samu Tuomaala as the ideal first-round pick for the Bs since all the way back to the World Juniors in December and following him throughout the year. The Bruins need an elite forward prospect this year and preferably on the wing as they have more depth and upside at center currently. Tuomaala is a right wing who can play the left side and is a SHOOTER. He shoots well and he shoots often, something that the Bruins need more of. And while he isn't big, he plays a tough, gritty game, something else that the team needs more of. Tuomaala is the perfect fit in my mind. The problem is that I didn't expect the Bruins to be drafting at 21 and Tuomaala is a consensus late-first or early-second prospect.

If the Bruins stay where they are, I would be fine with reaching for Tuomaala to make sure they get him. However, the option to move back and add another pick is a great opportunity. The trade partner that jumps out is in the opposite position of the Bs - the rival Canadiens. No one, including Montreal themselves, expected them to be where they are. They are now locked into a final four pick in the first round when most thought they would be the highest-picking playoff team. The Habs also have a number of picks this year and most importantly they have two late second-round picks, theirs and Tampa's.

According to The Athletic's pick value board, the difference between pick No. 21 (really No. 20 since Arizona isn't picking in the first) and picks No. 29-32 (really 28-31) is equal to a pick between No. 57 and No. 72, a range in which the Habs have two picks and the Bruins have none. Especially if a top RHD like Corson Ceulemans is available at No. 21, I think it makes a ton of sense for Montreal to move up and the Bs to move back.

The good thing about this plan is that it isn't totally dependent on Montreal either. New Jersey also has a bottom-four first-round pick (the Islanders') and two picks in that late-second/early-third range. They have a ton of picks and may opt for quality over quantity by moving up with the Bs as well.

Bruins picks:
First Round - RW Samu Tuomaala (as noted above)
Second Round - RHD Roman Schmidt (USNTDP product, need to address lack of RHD depth in the pipeline)
Third Round - RW/C Chase Stillman (NHL blood, projects to be a good two-way winger)
Fourth Round - LHD Guillaume Richard (PC-bound puck-mover, seems like a Bruins pick)
Fifth Round - LW Martin Rysavy (sleeper, power forward upside)

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