The Boston Bruins ended up with the 14th overall Draft Pick this year. The Bruins will need to start preparing themselves for the post Zdeno Chara era in Boston. So, what kind of players will the Bruins be looking for?
The Bruins need to deal with their salary cap mess. If the Bruins aren’t able to trade away/move/waive some of their long-term contracts, they will need to find someone in this year’s draft class whose entry-level contract will be extremely cap friendly to them.
Here are three likely candidates to be selected by the Bruins in the first round of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.
Lawson Crouse
DOB: 6-23-1997. 6’2.5″ , 189lbs. He’s Canadian and he currently plays for the Kingston Frontenacs in the OHL. He’s a left-wing, left-handed shot. He’s a player that could quickly find himself in the NHL, following a similar path as David Pastrnak. This report comes from Bill Placzek (@TheRealWIZ): “A big man with an excellent size/skating package. Gets in quickly and handles the forecheck and control the play along the boards. Can control things in the crease area, and has a big time heavy shot and release. Is strong on the puck, and gets through contact, and can drive the net. Very high hockey IQ, and anticipates the play well.”
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If the Boston Bruins can’t find themselves more cap space to maneuver next season, then they’re going to want to bring on someone with an entry-level contract to relieve the pressure as they try to climb out of the cap hole they have dug for themselves. Crouse could be one of those players that has an immediate impact for Boston.
Nick Merkley
DOB: 5-23-97. 5’11” , 187lbs. Another Canadian prospect who current plays for the Kelowna Rockets in the WHL. The Bruins have been looking around for a cheap but ready right-wing, right-handed shot. They struck gold with David Pastrnak, and they could strike it rich again with Merkley. He’s the kind of player that Cam Neely would want for the Boston Bruins.
He’s a solid skater that has excellent speed. He started out the 2014-15 season as the WHL’s leader in points and assists. If the Bruins need a young playmaker to add to the roster, he would certainly fit the bill. He’s an extremely physical player that has no problem upping the tempo and the aggression to help his team when they’re behind in a game. If the Bruins make only minimal changes to their roster in the 2015-16 season, Merkley would be a great player to bring in as a bottom-six forward.
Puck Prose
Jeremy Roy
DOB: 5-14-97. 6’0″ , 186lbs. The Boston Bruins have to realize that their defensive corps was their greatest liability last season. They’ll need to start re-building that part of the organization, and Roy could be one of those players that can do it. He currently plays for the Sherbrooke Cougars in the QMJHL.
If you like the playing style of Torey Krug and Dougie Hamilton, then you’ll like what Roy could bring to Boston. He’s an aggressive skater. He’s more than willing to become a fourth forward as he comes out of the blueline, and he could provide the crucial secondary scoring that the B’s need.
He’s still a very young defenseman. So, he’ll be prone to some errors (not like we haven’t seen a lot of those last season). He may require a season in the AHL to get him ready.