Boston Bruins: Remembering the 2010 NHL Entry Draft

Today, I will be starting a ‘Where are they now’ series, looking back at the Boston Bruins draft picks dating back to 2010.

Before I begin, I was influenced by Spencer Teixera’s similar series with Editor In Leaf – it got me wondering; just how well did the Boston Bruins draft in 2010?

Well, they selected 8 players. Of those 8, two have played over 100 NHL games. Only one has exceeded the 500 game plateau. Keep in mind, Peter Chiarelli was the Boston Bruins general manager from 2006 until 2015, meaning that he was manning the ship during this draft.

Also, Scott Fitzgerald was in his first season as Director of Amateur Scouting. It was his job to find young talent to join the roster. I hate directing blame on anyone, especially at this level. Reason being, all these players, coaches and managers are here because they earned their roles.

However, the 2010 draft was not exactly the strongest and Chiarelli and Fitzgerald are at the root of that fact. Scouting could have been better and overall decision-making could’ve been better.

With all 8 players combined, they tallied 1,155 games played, 317 goals and 458 assists for 775 points. They ranked first in the draft compared to other teams selections in assists and points. They ranked 5th in games played, behind Anaheim, Carolina, Florida and Minnesota. They also ranked 3rd in goals scored, behind Carolina and St. Louis.

It’s fair to say that the Boston Bruins had one of the best drafts among all other NHL teams that year, based on where they stand, in hindsight.

The Boston Bruins drafted the player who had the most points, to date, in that draft class. That player also has the most games played among players in that class. He also has the most goals. The list just keeps on going on!

First Round (#2 Overall): Tyler Seguin

With the Boston Bruins first selection of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, they selected Tyler Seguin, a center from the OHL’s Plymouth Whalers. In his draft year, Seguin recorded 48 goals and 58 assists for 106 points in 63 games for Plymouth. The Hockey Writers’ Christopher Ralph had this to say about the 18-year-old Seguin.

“Tyler Seguin possesses a dynamic skill-set and displays outstanding hockey intelligence. Tyler already plays in every situation with the OHL Plymouth Whalers. He displays a maturity on the ice well beyond his years.”

Immediately following the draft, Seguin went straight to the Boston Bruins’ NHL squad. In his rookie season, however, Seguin posted a measly 11 goals and 11 assists for 22 points in 74 games. He added to that 13 playoff games, putting up 3 goals and 4 assists for 7 points, en route to a Stanley Cup.

In his sophomore season, Seguin showed his true potential. He played in 81 of a possible 82 games. He potted 29 goals and added 38 assists for 67 points. A monumental improvement from that of his rookie year. Again, the Boston Bruins made the postseason.

Unfortunately, they only saw the first-round, where Seguin played in every game. In that 7-game series, Seguin recorded just 2 goals and 1 assist for 3 points.

Seguin signed an extension prior to his third NHL season. That contract was a 6-year, $5.75M per year deal. In the 2012-13 NHL season, there was a lock-out. The season was shortened to just 48 games.

While waiting for the 2012-13 season to start, Seguin played for Biel-HC of the Swiss-A league. There, he showed why he was an NHL talent, posting 25 goals and 15 assists for 40 points in just 29 games.

When the NHL season finally began, it seemed Seguin had found his swagger. He scored 16 goals and 16 assists for 32 points. Playing an additional 22 playoff games, as the Bruins fell just short in the Stanley Cup Finals, Seguin posted just 1 goal and 7 assists.

In the 2013 off-season, following a heartbreaking 6-game series loss to the Blackhawks in the Cup Finals, Seguin was shockingly dealt to the Dallas Stars, along with Rich Peverley. He has since played 469 games as a Dallas Star, recording 206 goals and 258 assists for 464 points. Seguin is a top-tier, elite center, who was infamously and regretfully dealt away by the Bruins organization.

Second Round (#45 Overall): Ryan Spooner

After another long wait, the Boston Bruins finally stumbled upon their next pick. At 45th overall, the Bruins decided to take Peterborough Petes center, Ryan Spooner. Spooner posted 19 goals and 35 assists for 54 points in 47 games in his draft year. He added 3 playoff games with 1 assist. Chris Edwards of Central Scouting Services had this to say on the Petes young centerman:

“He’s a solid guy, he battles and competes and gets involved. He’s grittier than some other guys. He plays with good energy, he’s up and down. He skates very well and has a good skill set.”

Petes head coach at the time, Ken McRae, also added this:

“Ryan has been a very dynamic player for us over the past two seasons. He is very strong on the puck and is very elusive down low in the offensive zone avoiding and escaping his check. His ability to play all 200 feet of the ice has improved each season. He is our go-to guy when a big goal or play is needed.”

Following the draft, Spooner stuck in the OHL with Peterborough. However, his stay was shortened. He played 14 games with 10 goals and 9 assists for 19 points, before being dealt to the Kingston Frontenacs.

There, he played 50 games with 25 goals and 37 assists for 62 points. His season total was 35 goals and 46 assists for 81 points in 64 games. Pretty good numbers, if you ask me. He then added 4 goals and 2 assists for 6 points in 5 playoff games.

Also during that season, Spooner was granted a 3-game stint with the AHL’s Providence Bruins, recording 2 goals and 1 assist for 3 points.

In the 2011-12 season, Spooner was again traded by his OHL team. He played 27 games with the Frontenacs with 14 goals and 18 assists for 32 points, before being dealt to the Sarnia Sting. With Sarnia, he played 30 games with 15 goals and 19 assists for 34 points. His season total landed at 29 goals and 37 assists for 66 points in 57 games.

He yet again got an opportunity with Providence, playing 5 games, scoring a goal and 3 assists for 4 points. In 2012-13, he was in Providence to stay. He impressed with 17 goals and 40 assists for 57 points in 59 games. He impressed enough to earn a call-up to the Boston Bruins, playing 4 games, but recording no points. He then played in 12 AHL playoff games, with 2 goals and 3 assists for 5 points to show for it.

In 2013-14, he yet again impressed in AHL regular-season action. He recorded 11 goals and 35 assists for 46 points in 49 games played, earning another NHL call-up. This time, he played in 23 games, with 11 assists. However, he was sent back down and played 12 playoff games with 6 goals and 9 assists for 15 points.

In 2014-15, Spooner started the year with the Boston Bruins. Playing in 29 games, he had 8 goals and 10 assists for 18 points. However, it was not enough to stick, as he was sent back to Providence. There, he played 34 games with 8 goals and 18 assists for 26 points. In 5 AHL playoff games, he recorded 4 assists.

In 2015-16, he secured a spot on the Boston Bruins squad and this time held it for the whole season. He played 80 games with 13 goals and 36 assists for 49 points. Unfortunately, the Bruins missed the postseason that year, and that ended Spooner’s first real season at the NHL level.

In 2016-17 marked Spooner’s final full year in the Bruins organization. He played 78 games with Boston, recording 11 goals and 28 assists for 39 points, a step back from the season prior. This time, he played NHL postseason hockey, with 2 assists in 4 games.

In 2017-18, Spooner played 39 games with the Boston Bruins, with 9 goals and 16 assists for 25  points. After that 39th game, he was traded along with two others and two picks for Rick Nash of the Rangers. He finished that year with 20 games as a Ranger with 4 goals and 12 assists for 16 points. His season total grew to 59 games played with 13 goals and 28 assists for 41 points.

In 2018-19, Spooner scored a goal and an assist for 2 points in 16 games with the Rangers, before being dealt to the Oilers for Ryan Strome. He played 25 games as an Oiler, with 2 goals and 1 assist for 3 points.

He was sent down to the Oilers’ AHL affiliate, Bakersfield Condors, where he played 7 games with 2 goals and 4 assists for 6 points. He was dealt again that season to the Canucks for Sam Gagner. He ended that season with 11 games as a Canuck with 4 assists. His season total was 52 games played with 3 goals and 6 assists for 9 points.

Fourth Round (#97 Overall): Craig Cunningham

After waiting for 52 picks to get to their next selection, the Boston Bruins took Vancouver Giants right-winger Craig Cunningham. In his draft year, Cunningham scored 37 goals and 60 assists for 97 points in 72 games. Those are gaudy numbers for someone that fell to the fourth round. Eric Converse of The Hockey Writers said this about the young winger:

“He is dangerous in the offensive zone due to his gritty approach to the game that makes him seem bigger than his actual 5-10 180 pound frame.”

In the 2010-11 season, Cunningham stayed with the Giants in the WHL. He played 36 games there, with 10 goals and 35 assists for 45 points. However, he was traded after those games to the Portland Winterhawks. He finished off the year in Portland with 17 goals and 25 assists for 42 points in 35 games. He added 7 goals and 14 assists for 21 points in 21 playoff games before falling short in the WHL finals to the Kootenay Ice.

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In 2011-12, Cunningham shockingly made it to the Providence Bruins AHL squad right away. He performed at a good level too, putting up 20 goals and 16 assists for 36 points in 76 games. He did not play in the postseason that year, unfortunately. He did have quite the rookie campaign for Providence, however.

In 2012-13, Cunningham yet again played for Providence. He elevated his play and improved on his rookie numbers with 25 goals and 21 assists for 46 points in 75 games. This time around, the Providence Bruins made the postseason. There, he recorded 3 goals and 5 assists for 8 points in 12 playoff games.

In 2013-14, Cunningham again started the season in Providence. Playing in 75 games, he recorded 25 goals and 22 assists for 47 points. He had a 2-game stint in Boston that year as well. He didn’t register a single point. He played in another 12 playoff games for Providence, recording 3 goals and 4 assists for 7 points.

In 2014-15, Cunningham worked his way into the opening roster for the Boston Bruins. He struggled in the 32 NHL games he played, however, with 2 goals and 1 assist for 3 points. He was sent back down to Providence, where he played 21 games with 5 goals and 10 assists for 15 points.

However, his NHL stint of 32 games with the Boston Bruins was split and the second time they tried placing Cunningham onto waivers for Providence, the Coyotes claimed him. He then played for the Coyotes NHL squad for 19 games, with a goal and 3 assists for 4 points.

In 2015-16, Cunningham started the year off with the Coyotes AHL affiliates at the time, Springfield Falcons. There he played 61 games with 22 goals and 24 assists for 46 points. He then was granted a 10-game stint with the Coyotes, where he registered just one assist.

In 2016-17, Cunningham played with the new Coyotes affiliates, the Tucson Roadrunners. He played 11 games with 4 goals and 9 assists for 13 points, showing his best AHL production in his career.

However, during the pre-game skate of the 12th game of the season, Cunningham collapsed. It turned out that Cunningham suffered a major heart attack on the ice that day and had his life saved by the medical staff at the arena. The heart attack led to the eventual amputation of his lower left leg, ending his ice hockey career.

Two years later, in 2018, Cunningham got back on the ice with his prosthetic leg. He now works as a scout within the Coyotes organization.

Fifth Round (#135 Overall): Justin Florek

38 picks after the Bruins took Craig Cunningham at 97th overall, the Boston Bruins were back on the clock. At this pick, they took forward Justin Florek out of Northern Michigan University. Here is what hockey’s future had to say about the college forward:

“Florek is a power forward who uses his large frame and long reach quite advantageously especially with the puck. He is particularly dangerous around the net. While he is still growing into his body, Florek is quite strong on his skates and is difficult to move off of the puck. He possesses some nice hands and also has an excellent wrist shot. Being able to bring all of the elements of his game together on a more consistent basis will greatly help his future success.”

In his draft year, Florek recorded 12 goals and 23 assists for 35 points in 41 games with Northern Michigan. Following the draft, he stayed in Northern Michigan for more development. He posted 13 goals and 15 assists for 28 points in 39 games, a bit of a step back.

In 2011-12, Florek remained with his college team. Playing 37 games in his final college season, Florek posted 19 goals and 17 assists, by far his best season. He got brought into the Providence Bruins roster following the end of his collegiate season, playing in 8 games. He recorded 2 goals and 2 assists in his first stint in professional hockey. Not too shabby for a fifth-round pick.

In 2012-13, Florek played with Providence for a full season. In 71 AHL games and his first real taste of professional hockey, he recorded 11 goals and 16 assists for a solid 27 points. He also had a pretty impressive +12 plus/minus. That season, Providence made the playoffs. There, he played in 12 games with a meager stat line of 1 goal and 2 assists for 3 points.

In 2013-14, Florek played in 69 games with Providence. He recorded 19 goals and 19 assists for 38 points, a substantial improvement from his AHL rookie campaign.

That performance granted him an NHL stint of 4 games. He posted a decent goal and assist in that small stint, for 2 points. He managed to slot into 6 NHL postseason games with Boston, recording just one goal. After the Boston Bruins were eliminated, he was sent back to Providence and played 4 postseason games there, racking up another goal.

In 2014-15, Florek started and remained with Providence. Playing in 73 games, he posted yet another decent stat line of 11 goals and 24 assists for 35 points. In 5 playoff games with Providence, he didn’t register a single point. Growing increasingly frustrated that he wasn’t with the big squad, he looked elsewhere in the league, as his contract was expiring.

In the 2015-16 off-season, Florek signed with the Islanders. He reported to the AHL Bridgeport Sound Tigers, playing 76 games with 7 goals and 9 assists for 16 points. He slotted into 3 playoff games, only recording a goal. A change of scenery seriously affected his game, as he took a major step back in his development that year.

In 2015-16, due to his down year with the Islanders, he signed with the Predators with the hope to get his career back on track. Playing with their AHL affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals, he did much better playing in 75 games, he scored 12 goals and 18 assists for 30 points. He also played 3 postseason games but did not register any points. Again, he did not get a chance at the NHL, taking his talents elsewhere.

In 2017-18, Florek left North America to play hockey in Germany (DEL). He signed with the Iserlohn Roosters. Since joining, he has recorded 19 goals and 23 assists for 42 points in 103 games. It’s safe to say that, after posting not-so-good numbers in a far more inferior league, he did not belong in the NHL.

Sixth Round (#165 Overall): Zane McIntrye

30 picks after taking Justin Florek, the Boston Bruins were called to the stage for their next pick. They took goaltender Zane Gothberg of the USHL Fargo Force. Yes, his name was Zane Gothberg, but he legally changed it after-the-fact to Zane McIntyre. Hockey’s future only had this brief report on McIntyre:

“Played for Thief River Falls High School in Minnesota. In 28 games, Gothberg recorded an 18-8-1 record along with a 1.81 goals-against average and a .925 save percentage. With an August birthday, he’s one of the youngest players in the 2010 draft.”

McIntyre played 23 games in his draft year, with a 14-8-0 record, a 2.23 goals against average and a .908 save percentage. Following the draft, he stuck in the USHL for one last year. He played 46 games, posting a 26-16-4 record, 2.22 GAA and a .921 SV%.

In 2012, McIntyre committed to the University of North Dakota. He played there for the next three years. In that time, he played 92 games with a 58-24-9 record. He posted save percentage of .920, .926 and .929, respectively. His goals against average numbers were 2.46, 1.99 and 2.05, respectively.

In 2015-16, McIntyre joined the Providence Bruins in the AHL. Playing in 31 games, he went 14-8-7, with a 2.68 GAA and a .898 SV%. In 2016-17, McIntyre played another 31 games with Providence, going 21-6-1 with a 2.03 GAA and a .930 SV%. That performance, despite really good numbers, was very up and down.

At one point, he earned an 8-game stint with the Boston Bruins, going 0-4-1 with a 3.97 GAA and a .858 SV%. At another point, he was sent down to the ECHL Atlanta Gladiators for 2 games, going 0-1-0 with a 1.99 GAA and a .931 SV%.

In 2017-18, McIntyre stayed in Providence for the year. In 47 games, he went 26-15-2 with a 2.52 GAA and a .914 SV%. In 2018-19, he again played in Providence. This time, he played 46 games, going 25-21-2 with a 2.59 GAA and a .898 SV%.

Heading to free agency, Zane McIntrye wasn’t renewed by the Boston Bruins organisation and he now finds himself with the Vancouver Canucks’ AHL affiliate, Utica Comets.

Seventh Round (#195 Overall): Maxim Chudinov

Another 30 picks pass and the Boston Bruins are back up on the draft board. This time they selected KHL defenseman, Maxim Chudinov. Here’s what Hockey’s Future had to say about the Russian blueliner:

“Chudinov is a hard-nosed, puck-moving defenseman. Short but stocky and powerful, he relishes the physical game and uses his low center of gravity to his advantage similar to former NHL’er and fellow Russian Darius Kasparitis. He is an excellent skater and has both mobility and speed which he uses to compensate for his lack of height and wingspan. He has some real offense to his game as well, making smart decisions on the breakout, joining the rush and supporting the attack, and has a knack for slipping coverage and getting open around the tops of circles. He’s been a leader for his KHL team in terms of points and ice time.”

In his draft year with the KHL’s Cherepovets Severstal, Chudinov put up 6 goals and 7 assists for 13 points in 47 games. Unfortunately for the Boston Bruins, Chudinov never left his native-Russia. He played 2 more seasons with Cherepovets, 6 with St. Petersburg SKA and has played 2 seasons with Omsk Avangard and continues playing with them today.

From 2010-2012 with Cherepovets, Chudinov played 104 games with 17 goals and 41 assists for 58 points. From 2012-2018, he played 260 games with St. Petersburg, recording 26 goals and 53 assists for 79 points. Then, from 2018 to today, Chudinov has posted 14 goals and 21 assists for 35 points in 90 games for Omsk.

Based on Chudinov’s stats in the KHL, it’s very upsetting that he never made the trip overseas.

Though he didn’t flash with a ton of points, he did enough in the second-toughest league behind the NHL to be, at the very least, a bottom-four defender. He also did enough in the defensive end to find success as a two-way defender. Missed opportunity for both the player and the team.

Seventh Round (#210 Overall): Zach Trotman

15 picks after selecting Russian blueliner Maxim Chudinov, the Bruins had their final selection in the 2010 NHL Entry draft. With their final pick, they decided to go with Lake Superior State University defenseman Zach Trotman. Hockey’s Future had this to say about the collegiate defenseman:

“Trotman is a defensive defenseman with size and toughness. He is strong on his skates, possesses some good foot speed and transitions well. While Trotman may not score many points, he does have offensive potential and isn’t afraid to jump up into plays.”

Trotman, in his first season at the collegiate level and his draft year, played 36 games with 2 goals and 6 assists for 8 points. The next two years he remained with Lake Superior State, playing in a combined 78 games with 17 goals and 24 assists for 41 points.

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At the end of the 2011-12 college season, Trotman joined the Providence Bruins for 9 games, recording a goal and 2 assists for 3 points. In the 2012-13 season, he played his first year of professional hockey in the AHL with Providence. He played 48 games with 2 goals and 14 assists for 16 points. He played another 4 playoff games but didn’t record a single point in them.

In the 2013-14 season, Trotman played 53 games with Providence with 8 goals and 16 assists for 24 points. His increased offensive production and continuous improvement in the defensive zone allowed Trotman to get an NHL call-up to the Boston Bruins squad. He played two games at the next level but failed to record any points.

That led to the Boston Bruins sending him back to Providence. There, he played an additional 8 playoff games with 4 assists.

In the 2014-15 season, Trotman started and played 40 games with Providence, recording 2 goals and 11 assists for 13 points. He got called up yet again, but this time played in 27 NHL games, posting a goal and 4 assists for 5 points. That, yet again, wasn’t enough to stick in the NHL, going back to Providence for the playoffs. There he played 5 games with just one goal.

In 2015-16, Trotman only played with the Boston Bruins in the NHL. However, he played just 38 games with 2 goals and 5 assists for 7 points. He did not play in the postseason that year.

In 2016, Trotman signed a contract with the Los Angeles Kings. That season, he played just 9 games with their AHL affiliate, Ontario Reign. He registered just 2 assists in that span.

In 2017, he signed another contract, this time with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Starting in the AHL again, he played with anger. He played 49 games with 7 goals and 10 assists for 17 points with Wilkes-Barre Scranton. That performance warranted a long-awaited NHL stint with Pittsburgh. That stint lasted 3 games, where he didn’t post a single point. He was sent back to Wilkes-Barre where he played 3 AHL playoff games with no points.

In 2018-19 he started the year in the AHL with Wilkes-Barre again. Playing 24 games there, he put up a goal and 4 assists for 5 points. It was enough to warrant another call-up to Pittsburgh, where he played 13 games with just one assist. Trotman remains with the Penguins today.

Where do they stand now?

Overall, the Bruins did have a great draft from a statistical stand-point for sure.

Tyler Seguin has turned out to be the best player from this draft class. Zach Trotman was a late-round steal. Spooner was also a decent second-round selection.

Cunningham, McIntyre and Florek had their NHL moments, though never really sticking. Knight was a straight bust, but it happens.

Chudinov had, and continues to have, solid NHL potential, but never actually came to North America to have that potential realized. Overall though, they really only whiffed on one player and unfortunately couldn’t bring the other one over on a contract.

But where do the players they hit on currently stand?

We all know the story of Seguin. Yes, the Bruins selected him and he turned out to be the best in the draft. However, over two-thirds of his career has been spent with the Dallas Stars, not the Bruins.

Spooner, on the other-hand, was traded away and has since been moving from team to team, looking for a role. Most importantly, he is not a part of the Bruins organization anymore.

Zach Trotman has played sparingly in his career at the NHL level. He left in free agency when his Entry-Level contract was up and signed with the Kings. He then left and has since been with the Penguins. Again, not with the Bruins.

Cunningham and Florek have both played games with the Bruins. Both also left in search of better opportunities, which they failed to find. Cunningham suffered a catastrophic setback which forced him to retire. Florek left for Europe.

Knight failed to find a role after dealing with injuries early in his career. He got traded and still failed to find a role. He then left for Europe and has not played professional hockey in years. Again, no longer with Boston.

Chudinov, as touched on, looked solid in the KHL as a youngster. The KHL is highly regarded as the second-best league in the world from a skill standpoint. He never left Russia to play American hockey. That means that he, too, is not a part of the Bruins organization.

Finally, McIntyre; the goalie who changed his name after being drafted. He was the last player left on the Bruins roster from being drafted in 2010. He failed to make the jump to the NHL and was buried behind two capable veteran goalies in Halak and Rask.

So, did the Bruins really do as well as the stats entail? Tell us what you think.

All stats via hockey-reference and hockeydb