Back on the first day of the NHL Entry Draft, a whirlwind of moves took place that gave the Boston Bruins two additional picks. Those belonged to the L.A. Kings (13th overall) and the Calgary Flames (15th overall).
Aside from all the speculation arriving from the departures of both Milan Lucic and Dougie Hamilton, the Bruins were shifting gears to the draft, just hours after dealing two pivotal members of their team away. For awhile, it appeared general manger Don Sweeney could gain a return from his draft pick capital. Then came the start of the draft. No moves.
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The Bruins were likely in the mist of negotiations with Arizona in hopes they could land the highly touted Boston College defenseman Noah Hanifin with the third overall pick. Nothing ever unfolded, and the Bruins could not utilize the capital gained from their several trades earlier that day. Boston drafted, in order, Jakub Zboril, Jake DeBrusk, and Zach Senyshyn.
Both Zboril and DeBrusk were scouted to be drafted in the first round by TSN’s Director of Scouting Craig Button. Senyshyn was not, instead being projected for roughly 20 picks ahead from when he was picked.
When picked, the NBCSN panel were skewering Boston’s 15th overall pick. One of the most respected NHL pundits in Bob McKenzie called the pick of Senyshyn a reach. Button himself suggested that, at the time of the Bruins’ pick, there was greater talent on the board.
Yet Sweeney has seen upside in Senyshyn. His career-high numbers last year with Sault Ste. Marie were eye-opening. In 66 games, Senyshyn scored 26 goals and contributed 19 assists for 45 points. In 14 playoff games, he netted 4 goals and added 3 assists.
Those numbers helped solidify Sweeney’s highly speculated decision to pick Senyshyn.
“Well I think he stood up in front. Some of the little things that I had read, he knew some attention had been thrown his way,” said Sweeney. “But I would think any first-rounder sort of feels that attention being thrown their way. They’re excited one minute and then to have a barrage of questions that sort of ask why, and he’s just going to go about his business. He’s a young kid that you love to see that enthusiasm. For a player with his talent and the position he was in to score the goals he did in a somewhat reduced role on a really good team, I think there’s upside there and we’re excited about it.”
As an 18-year-old with Sault Ste. Marie, Senyshyn was dominated by 19 and 20-year-olds. His ability to score nearly 30 goals with a team mainly filled with veterans intrigued Sweeney enough to pass up on other highly sought after prospects.
Mathew Barzal, Kyle Connor, and Thomas Chabot all remained on the board, just to name a few, when the B’s drafted 15th. Button’s mock draft slated Barzal to fall 14th. Connor was projected to be drafted 11th. Chabot was projected 30th.
Barzal landed just above his project overall at 16th with the New York Islanders. Button’s scouting report gave him a 4/5 for skating, smarts, and hands. His shot was 3/5 and his compete level was a perfect 5/5. Barzal was known heading into the draft for his confidence with the puck. He’s got the size of a Zach Parise at 5-foot-11 and plays with similar patience. He became more active with his shot last season, netting 12 goals in 44 games.
Connor fell to 17th overall. Button gave Connor a 5/5 in both skating and smarts. He received a 4/5 in hands, shot, and compete level. Connor plays the game with great pace and has matured into a scoring weapon with Youngstown, netting 34 goal in 56 games last year. Connor was one of the more touted American-born prospects to enter this year’s draft.
The defenseman Chabot was drafted 18th overall. Button bestowed him with a 4/5 in both skating and smarts, 3/5 in both hands and shot, and a 4/5 for compete level. Chabot is an active defensemen. His quickness led him into transition with the offense. He scored 12 goals in his second year with Saint John in 66 games last season. Button suggested his skills were near the level of being a top-three defensemen in the draft.
Finally, there is Senyshyn, who the Bruins ultimately felt was the best fit for this team compared to those three prospects named. Button gave him a 4/5 in both skating and smarts. He received a 3/5 in both hands and shot. His compete level was 4/5. He still produced efficiently while not receiving top-tier minutes. Sweeney and company believe in his mindset to improve, and feel the NHL hopeful will be a valued prospect, one worth drafting 15th overall.
Follow Christopher Bokum on Twitter @ChrisBokum