If the Bruins had won either of the top two slots in the lottery, we’d be able to narrow down their choice pretty easily. The top two picks are locked in, at least according to most draftniks and mock drafters. Defenseman Matthew Schaefer and center Michael Misa are slated to go 1-2.
But after that, it’s a free-for-all. Opinions differ wildly about where certain players will go between No. 3 and No. 10. The B’s, who got bumped down two slots from their fifth-worst finish to have the No. 7 overall pick, should get a decent prospect in that spot (unless they trade out of it, of course). History, however, says that there will be a lemon or two in the top 10. Given their situation, it is imperative the B’s avoid them.
Here are eight players whom the B’s could draft on Friday night. Given the organizational need to draft and develop on a No. 1 centerman, we’ve listed the pivots first. Other than that, there is no order:
* Brady Martin, C, Soo Greyhounds , OHL – There was a day when the Bruins’ lineup was dominated by good ol’ Canadian farm boys. Not so much anymore. After Brad Marchand left, Morgan Geekie, Parker Wotherspoon and newly acquired Fraser Minten were the only players from Canada on the roster down the stretch. Not that great players aren’t being produced all around the world, including right in our own backyard, but Martin would be a throw-back Bruin-type. Raised on an Ontario dairy farm, Martin is now a strapping 6-foot, 186-pound right shot centerman. He was played in all situations for the Greyhounds, notching 33-39-72 totals in 57 games. Martin is a tough, hard-hitting player player who plays a well-rounded game. At the scouting combine, Martin confirmed that the B’s took him out to dinner that week, so the team is at least intrigued by the player.
* Jake O’Brien, C, Brantford Bulldogs, OHL – The 6-foot-2, 177-pound right-shot O’Brien has some David Krejci-like characteristics. He’s a cerebral, pass-first pivot who has the ability to slow the game down, ripping up the OHL for 32-66-98 totals in 66 games. He has high-end vision and hockey IQ. A little lanky, O’Brien could use some strengthening, especially in his lower body, that would improve his skating. Overall, his spindly frame needs some filling out to help in battles, even though he’s shown a willingness to stick his nose into those. And, if he’s going to be a centerman, he needs to improve on faceoffs after finishing below 45%.
* Caleb Desnoyers, C, Moncton Wildcats, QMJHL – The 6-foot-2, 178 pound left-shot pivot led Moncton to the Q championship before the Wildcats fell to the London Knights in the Memorial Cup. He topped Moncton with 35-49-84 totals in 56 games. Pretty good totals for a player who’d been dealing with two injured wrists since November. While some have given him the rather backhanded compliment of being the “safe” pick, one scout said recently, “He’s the guy you want on the ice in the last minute taking the defensive zone draw and protecting a one-goal lead. He’s a winner.” Some mock drafts have him going higher than where the B’s are picking at No. 7, some have him going below. If he’s there at 7, the B’s should pounce.
* James Hagens, C, Boston College – Hagens began last season ranked as the No. 1 prospect in the world. Unlike Macklin Celebrini, who went first overall last June, he wasn’t a freshman phenom. He was just merely very, very good for the Eagles, starting on BC’s top line as a 17-year-old. He tumbled a little bit, as Matthew Schaefer and Michael Misa overtook him. But he will be a top-10 pick, it’s just a matter of where he goes. Centering first-rounders Ryan Leonard and Gabriel Perrault, he had 11-26-37 totals in 37 games for the Eagles. Those numbers suggest a pass-first mentality but, if you’re playing with those two players, it makes sense to get them the puck. At 5-foot-11, 177-pounds, inside ice is not the easiest to access for him but he’s got an impressive skill level.
* Anton Frondell, C, Djurarden, Swe-2 – Some have Frondell going in the top three, others are not so enamored of the solid 6-foot, 196-pound left-shot pivot. He’s had some inconsistency to his game, both in club and international play. While there’s a question as to how big of an impact Frondell will have, there seems to be little doubt that he’s an NHL player. But is he a lead dog or a middle-six center? Unlike some centers in this batch, he’s of the shoot-first variety who can beat the goalie from distance. He’s one of the heavier-playing centers but concerns about his fitness level were calmed by a strong scouting combine earlier this month.
* Roger McQueen, C, Brandon Wheat Kings, WHL – The 6-foot-5, 197-pound right-shot pivot has perhaps the greatest upside of anyone in the draft, but he also carries the biggest red flag. He missed most of the past season in Brandon with back problems. When he played, he was good, recording 10-10-20 in 17 games, but he just didn’t play enough. The B’s wouldn’t exactly be going off the board with McQueen – most mock drafts having him going in the top dozen – but it would take a pretty good gamble from GM Don Sweeney. They also drafted a similarly-framed center last season with Dean Letourneau, who struggled to produce from a fourth line spot at BC.
* Porter Martone, RW, Brampton, OHL – One of the non-centers on this list of possibilities, Martone is the kind of power forward over which many Bruins fans salivate. He’s 6-foot-3 and 208 pounds and, as that size suggests, he’s not that fleet of foot, but he brings a physicality. But he’s also got high-end skill and playmaking abilities, potting 37 goals and 98 points in 57 games. That combo of size and skill may trigger a team to take him before No. 7, but it will be interesting if he’s still around when the B’s are picking.
* Victor Eklund, LW, Djurgarden, Swe-2 – The B’s may have their quota of small and skilled Swedish wingers filled with Fabian Lysell, but the 5-foot-11, 165-pound Eklund is billed as a player who punches above his weight class. He’s a high-energy, ultra-competitive player who has the potential to drive a line from the wing. As a teammate of Frondell’s, Eklund had 19-12-31 totals in 42 games for Djurgarden. While the heart has not been questioned, there is no getting around the size disadvantage. He will need to get stronger. But the burst and creativity he has could be enticing.
