With the NHL offseason in full swing, the Boston Bruins are expected to be very active in free agency and trade market.
Their priorities will be resigning key players such as Charlie McAvoy and adding a top six winger. The Bruins will also have a chance to add to future of this team in the NHL draft on Friday.
It will be an opportunity to add more talent to a system that has done well at producing prospects over the years. The season is still months away, however, a few prospects will be looking to break through.
Two years ago, the Bruins took Jack Studnicka in the second round of the NHL draft. The Bruins had high expectations for the Canadaian native, and so far he has lived up to them.
After failing to make the Bruins roster last season, he dominated in juniors. In 60 games for the Oshawa Generals and Niagara Ice Dogs, he had 36 goals and 47 assists. Later in the season he appeared in five games for Providence and continued to thrive. Studnicka may need a bit more development, but scouts are enamored with his offensive skills. In just two years, he has quickly become the Bruins number one prospect.
Additionally, Jakub Lauko, the team’s third-round pick last season, impressed scouts with his offensive production. In 44 games for the Rouyn- Norands Huskies Lauko recorded 40 points including 20 goals.
He showcased his strong skating skills and ability to protect the puck. Most of his goals come from his ability to use his size and is projected to be an effective presence in front of the net as he gets stronger. It is unlikely he will appear in Boston this coming season, but he should continue to rise in the system.
Defensively the Bruins have a few prospects to watch including a familiar name to many in Jakub Zboril. The Bruins selected Zboril 13th overall in the 2015 draft their first of three consecutive picks. His development, however, has not gone the smoothest.
Early on, he struggled facing stronger players after dominating in juniors. Zboril has often been criticized, as many players, his age or younger have already made the jump in the NHL. Zboril did see brief action in Boston last season and he played well. This upcoming season he will be looking to earn a permanent role as his chances may be running out.
Furthermore, in net, the Bruins have one rising prospect in the form of Dan Vladar. The Bruins took Vladar in the third round of the 2015 draft 75th overall. The 21-year-old has great vision and uses his flexibility to see around screens. Although he is not a finished product, he has shown good poise and uses his 6-foot-5 frame to his advantage. Vladar will be looking to push Zane McIntyre in Providence as Jaroslav Halak only has one year left on his deal.
With an aging core, the Bruins brass will be looking for these players to prove that they are part of the future. Although they each need more time to develop, they have shown flashes of being productive pieces. While the Bruins have many prospects with something to prove, these four will be exciting to watch.
