Some thoughts...
QMJHL Entry Draft, Bruins prospects, and more
The Stanley Cup Final is going on right now, and it’s been a joy to watch. Other things are happening in the hockey world as well, such as the QMJHL Entry Draft, NHL Draft rumors, and the combine have been going on. I have also been watching some of the Bruins’ prospects’ film from this past season, we’ll get into which players I feel had their stock rise this past season at each level.
QMJHL Entry Draft:
The QMHL entry draft was loaded with talent, with the first pick going to the Moncton Wildcats, as they selected Caleb Desnoyers.
I don’t know a ton about Desnoyers, but after watching some film on him, he has a really good shot and some high-level skating abilities. Moncton clearly wanted him with the first pick they acquired.
I am more interested in the American players’ programs selected in the draft, as there were many selected in yesterday’s draft.
Starting with the highest American picked since 2015, the Saint John Sea Dogs took Egan Beveridge, from the Chicago Mission program. Beveridge played for Mount St. Charles the year before, who had 103 points in 62 games.
With Chicago Mission, I got access to watch some film on Beveridge, and he’s not the biggest guy in the world, but he has a ridiculous shot, that will definitely translate to the Q. Most of his goals are shots that have a low xG, (expected goal percentage) which is interesting, but that is an asset to his game that has value. Per Mark Divver, Beveridge “may be” going to the QMJHL, so look for him to start with SNB soon.
Halifax did not shy away from USA programs. Took three players from USA programs including two Americans, one was Michael Munroe.
Munroe is known for his production in the NV River Rats program. Had 0.5 points per game in prep school hockey at Avon Old Farms.
Last but not least with Halifax, they took a big risk with their first pick, (31) taking Liam Kilfoil. Halifax was high on Kilfoil, saying that he was #7 on their board. The risk with Kilfoil is he is committed to Dubuque (USHL) for next season. But the major junior route production-wise might be appealing to the NB Natvive, so a decision to make for Kilfoil.
Last thing with the Kilfoil pick, Halifax traded up to make this pick, this is how high they are on trying to get this certain player to play for the Moose.
In the American draft, multiple MIAA players were selected. A huge boost for Massachusetts hockey. Players included are such as C.J. Watroba, Daniel Daley, and more.
Bruins thoughts:
After watching some of his film, I wonder if Andre Gasseau is going to see a boost in his production next season with the additions of Will Smith, Gabe Perreault, and Ryan Leonard to Boston College.
Gasseau had a very good second half of the year. He had 11 points in his last 10 games to finish the year with BC. His stock is definitely rising as a 7th-round pick for the Bruins.
Will Georgii Merkulov be ready for the NHL next year? With a roster and cap logjam next year for the Bruins, they might be forced to give him a shot.
Merkulov had an excellent year as a rookie in the AHL last season, but a lot of his offense came on the power play. He’s tied for 7th on the P-Bruins for even strength points and only had 4 primary helpers at even strength.
When it comes to analytics, Merkulov isn’t the biggest analytics darling when it comes to his production at even strength. However, on the power play, he led the team in goals and points.
Curious about what happens with Ty Gallagher next season. Thought his defensive game took a big step forward with BU last year, IMO. The offense needs to take a step to make the big show, but the defense is there.
Dans Locmelis killed it this past season. He proved he’s ready for the next step, which will be the NCAA. The UMass commit had a nice season in the J20 League in Sweden for Lulea.
Locmelis isn’t huge, but he has a ton of offensive upside, IMO. His skating is average, but I am not 100% on that. I wasn’t able to get much video out of the Swedish league to fully understand his game. A better scouting report from me will be out when I can see him translate to the NCAA game. That transition will not be easy. Bruins prospect Oskar Jellvik had an OK season for BC, but the adds of Leonard, Smith, and Perreault could help him. Jellvik transitioned to the NCAA from the same J20 league in Sweden. His production was not very high. But as I said, with the BC adds, that could change, as he is another player to watch next year.
I think Trevor Kuntar could’ve benefited from another season at BC, but if he gets meaningful minutes in the AHL, it could be good for the player.
I think Fabian Lysell is still the Bruins top prospect. When he played 15 or more minutes last year, he had a point per game, and his EV Goals/60 is just under 1. He was still a teenager most of the year when playing in the AHL. 37 points in your rookie year is not bad at all for the AHL either. We’ll see what happens, and I don’t think a lot of fans are going to like to hear this, but another full season in the AHL would be perfect for Lysell’s development.
Mason Lohrei didn’t have the points to show it, but I thought he was pretty strong on defense in his first few games in the AHL. Along with Lysell, a full year in the AHL would be great for his development to make it to the NHL.
Bruins fans hate to hear this because Boston fans don’t have any patience, but with the current Bruins prospect pool, a lot of their prospects are still in the stages of development. Players are getting closer, but it’s going to take some time.
If Jack Ahcan somehow re-signs with the Bruins, I would be surprised. But if he does, I don’t see how the Bruins don’t give him a one-way deal. Even with his smaller size, he is still an excellent defender, a tremendous skater, and plays a great two-way game.
Evan Gold has already made some interesting moves as GM of the P-Bruins, including trading for Vinny Arseneau, and re-signing Justin Brazeau. Believe it or not, Brazeau had the second most EV goals on the P-Bruins last season. His skating is not great, but being 6'5 220, and having good AHL numbers at 25 is a good signing. I was curious if he’d get an NHL deal or not with his production last season, and his big frame, but retaining him on a minor league deal is a great signing.
The Bruins have a decision to make on Frederic Brunet. The 2022 5th-rounder had a nice season in the QMJHL last season for both Rimouski and Victoriaville. The decision is if the Bruins want him in the AHL next season, or the QMJHL. If they send him to the QMJHL, he must stay there until that season ends. Brunet played one game in the AHL this past season after his Q season ended with Victoriaville. He had a strong debut with 2 assists.
If Brunet returns to Victoriaville, it wouldn’t be that bad for his development. Noah Warren would likely be his RHD partner, and it would help his game defensively.
I’d like the Bruins to sign Luke Toporowski soon. He’s on a minor league contract and can sign with any other team when it expires. With the Bruins future not looking amazing, it would be nice to see them take Toporowski on a ELC. Toporowski had some really strong numbers in his first year in the AHL, at only 22 years old.