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Forum: Boston BruinsNov. 17, 2022 at 10:48 a.m.
Thread: Bruins Prospect Update, Part 1 (Year 2)
This Will be the Second Installment of my Bruins Prospect Updates this year, and this forum will be the master thread for all of my installments this year. Also, unlike last year, I will be dong these updates monthly, as opposed to the bi-or-tri-weekly installments of last season. It just makes more sense for me to really take time to watch the players and take my time on these installments than to rush out installments where I haven't watched half of the players I'm writing about in the interim. Anyways, let's get to it.

Jack Ahcan, Providence Bruins (AHL): Ahcan is still waiting for an offensive breakout as the 2022-23 season leaves its preliminary stages. Ahcan has so far put up just 3 assists over 12 games, which is three assists in the 10 games since the first update. He seems a bit less confident with the puck than in the past: he's been a very effective puck moving defender in the past, very effective on the breakout with his quick feet and hands and high-level vision and passing ability. But this year just feels different. If he continues to play this way, I wouldn't expect to see him in the NHL for a stint like he got last year, but I also don't expect this play to last for too long. Still a wait and see for him, but let's say that my optimism is slightly lower for him than it was earlier this year.

John Beecher, Providence Bruins (AHL): Beecher has continued to be an effective two-way pivot for the Baby Bruins, but he now has some points to his name unlike last update. Beecher currently has 2 goals and an assist for 3 points in 12 games in the AHL, all 3 points coming in the 10 games since the last update. Of course, those aren't eye-catching numbers by any means. But, as I've mentioned at length over the past season and a quarter; Beecher will never be a points-oriented forward. He is very detailed-oriented, plays the game the way coaches love, and is far more interested in keeping the puck out of his own net than putting it in the opponent's. That isn't to say that Beecher doesn't have some skills in the o zone: his shot is very powerful and he's very effective in transition with his skating. But he just doesn't play all that offensive-minded. And that's okay; it works for him. He projects as an NHLer, he's probably been the most consistent prospect in the AHL for the Bruins in terms of effort and results, but the results that Beecher put up simply don't show up on the stat sheet. I'd expect Beecher to be called up at some point during the season for a bottom six role, especially if there are injuries. He's playing well enough to have earned it, in my opinion.

Frederic Brunet, Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL): Brunet was one of those names in the 2022 draft that I didn't expect to get selected as an overaged player. That being said, Boston took him, and he's been playing some fantastic hockey this season in the Q. Brunet, an offensive defenseman by trade, currently has put up 3 goals and 18 assists for 21 points in 20 games, which is 3 goals and 12 assists in the 12 games since the last update. Last update, I mentioned the move by the Oceanic staff to give Brunet opportunities at both center and defenseman, as Brunet's defensive game was struggling to open up the year. Since then, those opportunities have continued to happen for Brunet, but he has settled down a bit defensively. Don't get me wrong; Brunet has quite a way to go before being considered even a two-way defender, but he hasn't been as reckless in his own end as he had been to open up the year. A quick turnaround for him in that regard, and the offense has continued to flow, even more so in fact. Brunet could be in for a big year, and I'm excited to see what he can do in the coming months. Don't be too shocked, should Brunet continue to play this well, if he receives an ELC following this year.

Michael Callahan, Providence Bruins (AHL): Callahan has yet to show up on the score sheet over 10 games this season for the P-Bruins, but he's been decent overall as a player. We have to remember that Callahan is not an offensive defender (that one year in college was an anomaly), and that Callahan is a physical and defensive-minded defender by trade. He has very much played to his strengths this season, and has done pretty well in his albeit limited roles. His physicality is what stands out the most; the kid likes to hit. It's apparent that Callahan hasn't won over much of the coaching staff in Providence; he plays third pairing minutes and has even been scratched for 2 games over the course of 12 games to open up the year. But, in time, I think that Callahan might become a defensive anchor for the P-Bruins, maybe even by the end of the year. He just needs an opportunity to perform, as the game, I think, is there.

Riley Duran, Providence College (NCAA): Duran, despite losing his point-per-game pace of the previous update, has been far-and-away the best all-around player for the Friars this year, and the best Bruins prospect not playing for the P-Bruins this year. Yes, that includes Mason Lohrei. Duran currently has put up 7 goals and three assists for 10 points in 11 games for the Friars, which is 3 goals and 2 assists for 5 points in 7 games since the last update. Duran, like I mentioned last update, has been much better defensively than at any other point in his hockey career to date. He's playing like a kid who wants his ELC now, and I think he's going to earn it. He's not NHL ready, but give this kid a year or two in the AHL, and you'll see him fighting for a roster spot on the big club. I'm overexcited to see what this kid can do going forward, and I have high hopes for what is a former sixth round selection.

Jackson Edward, London Knights (OHL): Edward, another late round selection of the Bruins, has been playing pretty well for the Knights to kick off this year. So far, he's got 3 goals and 6 assists for 9 points in 16 games, but more importantly, Edward has appeared to develop quite a ways defensively since last season. Last year, my biggest critique of Edward was that he was an extremely raw prospect, aside from his ability to play physical. He needed a lot of work before we could even get a decent idea of the type of player that Edward would be. Now, we are starting to get that idea, but I still think that there is a long way to go before we truly have a trajectory for Jackson Edward. He's a two-way defender that cares far more for the defensive end of the ice than the offensive one. He can skate pretty well, can facilitate the breakout as a passer fairly consistently, and is a very aggressive player who uses his size and power to get an advantage over his opponents. I am looking forward to seeing Edward continue to progress as the year goes on, and I think that the Bruins could have something with this kid. His ceiling probably isn't too high, but as a future depth piece, I think that Edward has a place in the NHL down the road.

Ty Gallagher, Boston University (NCAA): Offensively, Gallagher's sophomore campaign has continued to be quiet, but he has continued to be a strong presence on the ice. Defensively, Gallagher might be the best player on the ice for BU, but I am hoping to see him re-find his offensive game. His shot is very good, and that's been something that he's been good at utilizing over the years. He's struggled to use his shot this year, and I think that it's the catalyst to his offensive struggles. I hope to see him turn it around, but this defensive group on BU is stronger than it was last year, so opportunity for a struggling player may be fewer. Gallagher may turn into a defensive specialist for the Terriers, and I pray that that won't be the case.

Andre Gasseau, Boston College (NCAA): I won't be continuing with Andre Gasseau this year, this will be his only installment on my updates. Why? He's hardly playing. He's not getting enough ice to allow him an opportunity to prove his worth on a deep NCAA team. Give him a year or two, and maybe he'll work his way into a significant role. For now, we have to wait.

Brett Harrison, Oshawa Generals (OHL): Harrison has continued to struggle this year, and I hope that he can turn it around, but the team around him is also struggling, so that is certainly not helping him out. Still, 6 goals and 2 assists for 8 points in 11 games on paper sounds alright, but considering he's 19 years old (turning 20) in the OHL playing against 15-20 year olds, AND he's a former 3rd round pick who's supposed to thrive at the net front as a greasy goal scorer a-la Mark Recchi, the numbers need to be better. It's extremely frustrating to watch a player, especially one that I've been a fan of for many years now, since he's entered the OHL, struggle to reach his potential. So frustrating, in fact, that I considered removing him from these updates, but again, I like him too much. Still, if Harrison continues to struggle, you might be able to write him off this year.

Oskar Jellvik, Boston College (NCAA): Jellvik has been playing pretty well for his first year in North America, which for a player who plays the way that Jellvik does, should slow him down to open the season. Still, he's been able to put up 1 goal and 6 assists for 7 points in 9 games to start the year. As a freshman in the NCAA, and as a European player playing his first hockey on smaller rinks at the NCAA level, Jellvik is playing very well. Certainly better, for a start, than I expected. He's playing some good minutes, and he's capitalized in those opportunities. I look forward to watching Jellvik play for the remainder of the season, and I think that Jellvik has a shot to produce even more than he has been so far.

Trevor Kuntar, Boston College (NCAA): Like, Jellvik, Kuntar is making the most of his opportunities with the Eagles. Unlike Jellvik, however, it's about time that Kuntar lived up to the potential. as a 21 year-old already, Kuntar needed to show up in a big way this year, and he has. He's been a big time player for the Eagles, providing excellent offensive output and better defensive play than he's provided in the last two seasons in the NCAA. He still has a way to go defensively, but I like what I've seen from Kuntar so far. Let's hope it continues.

Dans Locmelis, Lulea HF J20 (J20 Nationell): It's been a good year so far for Locmelis, and I think that a WJC bid AND an SHL stint will be in the cards for him this year. He's been an elite offensive talent in the top U20 league in Sweden, with 8 goals and 12 assists for 20 points 17 games. Still, it is difficult to get a true read on how good Locmelis actually is until he plays in better leagues. His NCAA debut next year will be a step in the right direction, especially on a team where he'll get opportunities right away like Northern Michigan. I might take Locmelis off of this update, for my time concerns only, unless he plays for better teams like in the SHL or in the WJC. Still, he's been great, and I will continue to watch him.

Mason Lohrei, Ohio State University (NCAA): The Buckeyes are struggling so far this year, so Lohrei's numbers aren't quite as good as they were last year. Still, Lohrei has been the best player for Ohio State by a long shot this year, and has been among the very best defenders in his own end in the entire NCAA. He's got 8 assists in 12 games so far this year, and he's been a fantastic all-around player despite the lack of eye-catching numbers. There isn't really much to say about Lohrei that I haven't mentioned already in these updates, but I will reiterate how much I like this kid. I expect big things from him when he gets his ELC, which I'd bet will be following this NCAA season.

Fabian Lysell, Providence Bruins (AHL): Lysell has continued his great offensive production as the P-Bruins continue their excellent start to their campaign, not with 4 goals and 7 assists for 11 points in 11 games. It's apparent that Lysell has excelled at the AHL level, and an NHL stint should in order for him before ANY other player in the Bruins system. That includes the veterans like Wagner, or even Lauko or Steen. He's been among the best players on this team night-in and night-out, and he's bound to be the best prospect Boston has had in their system since Pastrnak. In fact, you could make a lot of comparisons between Pastrnak's rise to the NHL and Lysell's current trajectory. Will his ceiling be the same? Probably not, but one can dream,. right?

Ryan Mast, Sarnia Sting (OHL): Mast has brought in his success from last year and improved on it this time around. He's now got 8 assists in 14 games, but he is easily the best defensive defender in the OHL right now. He NEVER makes a bad read in his own end, and he's been able to play the body and the puck with efficiency that's bound to get him an AHL look next season. Like I mentioned this season, Mast has an extremely high floor as a prospect, as he's near NHL capabilities, especially in his own end. His ceiling is what's in question, and though there has been clear development in his game from last season to now, that's still the big question with Mast. An AHL debut sometime within the next year or so should be a good indicator for his future, and I have high hopes for this kid.

Georgii Merkulov, Providence Bruins (AHL): You may have noticed that I've skipped Marc McLaughlin, who I had in the last update but will refuse to put on here this time around. That's because if he continues to play the way that he's been playing, I won't consider him an NHL-calibur prospect. For Merkulov, however, he may prove to be the best NCAA free agent that the Bruins have picked up in a while. And remember, the Bruins have had some success from the NCAA pipeline. Merkulov currently has 4 goals and 8 points for 12 points in 11 games in the AHL AS A ROOKIE. He's been playing center and wing for the P-Bruins, but I think he projects better as a winger in the NHL, a left-winger to be specific. His offensive talents are very high-end and well-rounded; he can beat defender in a number of ways. I am going to keep this report short, as I think he's been well-documented recently by the hockey media surrounding the Bruins with his success. But I am really starting to like Merkulov, and he may be playing his way into an NHL stint this year.

Matthew Poitras, Guelph Storm (OHL): The Bruins first selection form this past draft has lived up to his hype as a second-rounder, and he's been a fantastic player for the Storm this year. He's currently got 4 goals and 11 assists for 15 points in 14 games. Poitras has, in my opinion, been the best center on the Storm, ahead of the likes of Danny Zhilkin, who I actually called for the Bruins to draft over Poitras when it happened. Poitras has been even better defensively than I'd expected him to be this year; it's clear that he's put in work in that regard. And his offensive game has continued to progress as one would expect that it's happened. I expect Poitras to continue to have a big year, and I hope that he gets a WJC look this season. (Although, the Canada squad is so deep, I doubt he gets a look, but he's played well enough for one).

There are other prospects that I haven't included that deserve some recognition, but maybe for another time or for later down the road. They include: Marc McLaughlin (Needs to play better, as I've mentioned), Jonathan Myrenberg (I haven't viewed him yet personally, but welcome to the Bruins system), Quinn Olson (Probably won't cover him this year unless he receives an ELC), Jake Schmaltz (Same as Olson), Cole Spicer (Not playing nearly enough to showcase skills on a deep NCAA team, I'll wait until next year to do write-ups about him).
Forum: Boston BruinsNov. 2, 2022 at 8:26 a.m.
Thread: 5 BOLD predictions for the Bs this year
Well, 10 Games in for the Bruins, and these predictions are looking to be alright so far.

1) The Bruins currently have 5 players playing at a point-per-game pace through the first 10 games, as opposed to my predicted 3 players. Pastrnak (18 points), Lindholm (11 points), Bergeron (10 points), Krejci (8 points in 8 games), and Marchand (4 points in 2 games).

2) Well, Studnicka is gone, meaning that either Lysell or McLaughlin will have to squeeze his way into the lineup by mid season. My guess at this point would be Lysell, as he's tearing up the AHL with the Baby Bruins, but with how the NHL Bruins are playing, I find it difficult to move one of the current NHLers out of the lineup to make way for a newcomer, even if it's Lysell. They've just played too well so far. Still, plenty of time.

3) Ullmark has played like a true #1 goalie so far. He may steal the de-facto starting job well before the deadline, especially if Swayman's injury is a significant one.

4) Krejci is currently on pace for 82 points over 82 games, and is on pace for 20.5 goals over 82 games. Could happen.

5) The Bruins are currently the #1 seed in both the Atlantic and the entire NHL. And with the way they're playing, they should win at least one playoff series.
Forum: Armchair-GMNov. 2, 2022 at 8:17 a.m.
Thread: New Lines and Poll
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>DefenseFirst</b></div><div>This is probably okay for Thurdsay, but sounds like both Krejci and McAvoy play saturday.

My 7th player award goes to lindholm. Ya, he’s expected to be real good, but he’s been dominant this season. I expected a low end number one in McAvoy’s absence, not an elite one.</div></div>

Yeah I was considering Lindholm for another option. He's been excellent so far, certainly has exceeded my expectations as well. Yeah the lines were for tomorrow's game, considering that both Krejci and McAvoy are traveling but I think I remember seeing Montgomery say that Krejci wasn't playing Tuesday or Thursday. Who knows when Craig Smith is coming back, too. He wasn't added to the IR like Krejci was, and he's coming back this weekend. Perhaps Smith is, too.
Forum: Armchair-GMOct. 24, 2022 at 3:01 p.m.