Bruins Must Follow This Draft Plan Or Their Future Could Be In Jeopardy
The Boston Bruins are gearing up for the upcoming 2023 NHL Entry Level Draft, and it promises to be an intriguing time for the team.
Without a first or second-round pick and uncertain futures for their top centers, Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci, the front office faces a challenging task.
Will they trade to secure a first-round pick? Do they need to clear cap space for free agency? Or perhaps they'll explore trades involving prospects, roster players, or big-name acquisitions.
The Bruins could be a wildcard in this draft weekend, considering their limited cap space. They'll need to be resourceful this offseason, and the draft presents an ideal opportunity to start.
When it comes to the draft itself, General Manager Don Sweeney and the front office have clear priorities, regardless of their pick position:
Center
Developing future center talent remains a crucial objective for the Bruins. Despite selecting three centers in last year's draft, the team needs to continue bolstering their center depth. A strong offense is built from the middle, and championship victories often hinge on center strength.
The Bruins have faced difficulties in developing centers within their system for some time. Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci, who might be approaching retirement, were arguably the last standout center picks for the team. While prospects like Brett Harrison and Georgii Merkulov show promise, it's still uncertain if they will succeed.
Whether their first pick remains in the third round or they trade up, selecting a center should be a pressing need for the Bruins.
Wing
Although the Bruins showcased an impressive offense in the previous season, they've struggled with right wing positions on the second line in the past. General Manager Sweeney has made various attempts to address this issue. While center talent takes precedence, the Bruins mustn't overlook the importance of drafting skilled wingers to avoid recurring problems.
The team has made strides on the roster, and they possess talented wing prospects like Fabian Lysell. However, it remains essential for them to continue adding wing talent to prevent repeating past difficulties.
Defense
The Bruins' blue line is in decent shape. Defensemen Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm have signed long-term contracts and had impressive seasons. The team's top defensive prospect, Mason Lohrei, appears ready for the NHL. Additionally, Brandon Carlo, though less recognized, has been a solid member of the defensive core.
Acquiring elite defensive prospects isn't a priority or a reality for the Bruins at the moment, which places defense at number three on their list. With prospects like Lohrei, Jack Ahcan, Ryan Mast, and Frederic Brunet already in the pipeline, there seems to be enough blue line depth for the next few seasons. While the Bruins should still select a defenseman in the draft, it doesn't need to be a priority until later rounds. The focus should be on adding to their offensive prospects.
Goaltender
With only five draft picks this year, the Bruins can afford to skip selecting a goaltender. Jeremy Swayman, a restricted free agent, has shown promise as the team's future goalie.
Additionally, they recently signed Brandon Bussi, a 24-year-old who excelled in the AHL. Considering their current goaltending depth and last year's goalie pick, there's no urgent need to select another netminder this year.
Of course, if a top-tier goalie unexpectedly falls to them, it would be difficult to pass up. Nevertheless, goaltending ranks last among their priorities.
Source: Thehockeywriters
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