Boston Bruins Prospect Roundup: 2015 & 2016 Draft Updates

Jakub Zboril – Defenseman – 13th Overall 2015

Year-to-Date: 16 Games – Six Goals – 10 Assists – 16 Points – 10 PIMs – Plus-10

Don Sweeney took a lot of flack for using three consecutive draft picks in 2015. While many expected the new general manager to trade any or all of the picks to acquire defensive help, he elected to stay the course and resist the temptation to pay the high cost being asked for help on the blueline. With his first selection as the GM of the Bruins, Sweeney took Jakub Zboril from the Saint John Sea Dogs.

In his draft year, Zboril recorded 13 goals and 33 points in 44 games as a rookie defenseman. In an ultimately disappointing sophomore season, Zboril saw his goal, assist, and point totals drop to six, 14, and 20 respectively. He did have a solid postseason, however, recording two goals and 10 points in 17 games, but it didn’t stop the criticism from flying in the direction of the then-18-year-old Zboril.

Fast forward one season and Zboril has impressed in the QMJHL. While his defensive ability has never been in question, his offensive totals dropping rather than increasing in his second year was a reasonable cause for concern. The 19-year-old Brno, Czech Republic native looks like he’s been able to sort out those issues, however, averaging a point-per-game so far this season.

Zboril will likely need some time in the AHL prior to getting an NHL opportunity, but he’s currently one of the Bruins best defensive prospects.