Team: 2021-22 Boston Bruins

Initial Creation Date: Feb. 7, 2022

Published: Feb. 7, 2022

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

These are in the same order that I wrote them last time, with new updates at the end.

Fabian Lysell: Last update, Lysell had posted 31 points in 24 games. Since then, the offense has dried up over the past 4 games, leaving Lysell with just one point, bringing his overall totals to 32 points (13 games) in 28 games. Don't think that it's Lysell's fault, though, as his whole team just hasn't been productive. Looking to the NHL with this kid, I think that Lysell is more of a complimentary piece than a guy who can drive a line. He thrives more as a playmaker than as a goal-scorer, which isn't to say that he doesn't have the ability to be a good goal scorer at the NHL level. I think pairing Lysell with a volume shooter would be the best way to maximize his skillset. Lysell is a blazing fast player and is a problem in 1-on-1 situations. His puck control, something I mentioned was necessary to fix a little, has been much better as the season has progressed. Another thing that has improved was something that was a knock on him coming out of the draft: effort away from the puck. Lysell has shown more care for the back check in the past months that he didn't show against SHL pros. He's becoming more well-rounded of a prospect while still keeping his great strengths.

Brett Harrison: Last update, Harrison had put up 31 points in 31 games. Since then, he has been the most consistent player for the Generals, now with 37 points (18 goals) in 37 games. Harrison is a blue-collar type of player: three-zone player, high work ethic, never takes a shift off, extremely consistent. I'd love to see him add a little more muscle to his 6 foot 2 frame, as he's already at 185 pounds but I think more strength, especially in the lower body, could help his already strong board play and skating, and help him elevate his overall game even further.

Jake Schmaltz: Last update, Schmaltz put up 14 points in 23 games. Since then, the offense has gone cold for Schmaltz yet again, bringing his total up to 15 points (6 goals) in 27 games. Solid totals for freshman in my opinion. Especially one who doesn't get consistent ice time. But, Schmaltz is veeeery hot and cold on offense, and it's kind of frustrating for someone like me who's trying to get a good feel on where he slots into Boston's future. Unlike Harrison, where adding weight is recommended but not needed, Schmaltz needs to be stronger. He's a 6 foot 1 beanpole, and that needs to be remedied. He's also been pushed around from wing to center, which is an interesting development as the Bruins love wingers who can also play center for some reason.

Quinn Olson: Last update, Olson had posted 17 points in 24 games. Since then, Olson has only played 2 games, now with 18 points (5 goals) in 26 games. As a junior for Minnesota-Duluth, Olson has enjoyed his best season by far in the NCAA. I've already spoken enough about his need to improve his skating, but there is another flaw that needs to be addressed with Olson's game: discipline. Far too many times I've seen Olson take a stupid stick infraction because he gets behind the play. He needs to learn to play more disciplined with his stick and keep it away from the hands of the opposition.

Ty Gallagher: Last update, Gallagher had posted 12 points in 23 games. Since then, he's continued to be solid in all three zones, now with 13 points (4 goals) in 26 games as a freshman for BU. Nothing about Gallagher's stat line will jump off the page at you, and his game when watching him on-ice probably won't either. That's the point, he fits so well into every situation, and is so consistently correct in his decisions and his positioning, that he gets overlooked in favor of those making mistakes or flashy plays. Gallagher is a steady three-zone presence with a well-rounded game. Sort of a jack-of-all-trades kind of player. PK and PP can fit him pretty well, but probably second unit for the power play. I'm very intrigued by his development for a future third pair guy behind McAvoy and Carlo.

Mason Lohrei: Last update, Lohrei put up 22 points in 26 games. Since then, he's continued to be a high--impact player for the Buckeyes, now with 29 points (4 goals) in 30 games. It pains me to say that this kid isn't the best prospect in the Bruins system, and that isn't a knock on him or Lysell. Lohrei has been an incredible force in the NCAA as a freshman, and I'm kind of shocked that he wasn't invited to try out for Team USA at the Olympics this year. He's a 6 foot 4, 194 pound puck moving two-way defenseman. He's a solid defender, especially against the rush with excellent four-way mobility and a long reach. He has a cannon of a shot with seemingly very little effort. There is nothing that I don't like about his game. I shuddered when I saw Sweeney take this kid in the second round in 2020, but I think he may have actually made the right call this time.

John Beecher: Last update, Beecher has posted 7 points in 19 games. Since then, the offense has only been so-so, now with 8 points (4 goals) in 21 games. Beecher is frustrating, not for a lack of effort, but I feel like there is more to him offensively than he's showed. I don't think that he'll ever be a 50 point guy in the NHL, but I think that there's more to be given by him in the offensive zone, which, as I said, is frustrating. Even still, his size-speed-skill combo is exciting even without the high point totals to go with it. Beecher is a solid defensive center with a sandpaper quality to his game.

Oskar Jellvik: Last update, Jellvik had put up 33 points in 28 games. Since then, he's continued to be an effective offensive threat, not with 37 points (18 goals) in 31 games. The more I watch of Jellvik throughout the season, the more I like him. That being said, this will be the last update I do on him for the season, unless he gets an opportunity in the SHL. The reason is that I don't have much else to say about him that I haven't already said. He's a solid skater and has a great all-round offensive toolkit. He can make effective and hard passes with accuracy, has a good snap to his shot that is accurate as well. All stuff I've said. His trip to the states next year to play at Boston College should be very telling of his true potential in the NHL.

Ryan Mast: Last update, Mast had put up 16 points in 30 games. He hasn't played since, but I'm not done updating you guys on him, so I wanted to put something here just to indicate that I haven't forgotten about him.

Riley Duran: Last update, Duran had put up 16 points in 30 games. Since then, he's only played in 1 game, but he got a point, bringing his totals up to 17 points (8 goals) in 31 games. With the NCAA regular season coming to an end pretty soon, I'm interested to see what Duran can do next year with an increased role that he will most likely receive. Duran has been really good for the Friars when on the ice this season. The only problem is that he isn't on the ice a whole ton, as he's a freshman on one of the better NCAA hockey programs. I hope for an uptick in ice time and power play opportunities for the kid next season, as it could help him prove his worth as a prospect.

Dropped out: Trevor Kuntar (nothing new to say)