The 2026-27 NHL season is underway, and this year, teams are playing an 84-game schedule. Two more games for everyone open the door for more players to be pushed into action over the course of the season. Some of the players who could be pushed into action is some prospects.
As far as the Black and Gold go, the options of prospects who could come up and make their NHL debut isn't as big as they once were. James Hagens has already made his NHL debut, as has defenseman Frederic Brunet. However, depending on how things go this season, there is a chance that some prospects could make their NHL debut for the Bruins. Here are three, with the thinking that the last two players will make theirs after the college hockey season ends.
Dans Locmelis
If there is one prospect knocking on the door in the organization right now, it's forward Dans Locmelis. The 22-year-old former UMass standout played his first full pro season in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Providence Bruins, where he had 15 goals and 28 points in 43 games.
Locmelis had his moments in the preseason and in training camp, but in the end, there just wasn't a roster spot for him. Thus, he'll begin the season with the P-Bruins in the AHL, but it wouldn't be surprising if he's called up at some point if an injury or two occurs.
Dean Letourneau
If there was one Bruins prospect who saw his stock skyrocket last season, it was 2025 first-round pick Dean Letourneau at Boston College. He went from three assists as a freshman for Greg Brown and the Eagles to 22 goals and 17 assists in 36 games. He is a big net-front presence on the BC power play.
The 6-foot-7 Ontario native is back for another season in Chestnut Hill and is expecting to have an even better season. If he can follow up his sophomore season with a strong junior season, like Hagens, there will be nothing else for him to prove in college and will likely sign his entry-level deal. If he does, don't be surprised to see him enter the lineup before all is said and done.
Will Zellers
Another college player, Will Zellers, is back at North Dakota for his sophomore year. As a freshman for the Fighting Hawks, he had 18 goals and 16 assists, playing mostly in the top six, even slotting in on the top line as UND made the Frozen Four.
Acquired from the Colorado Avalanche at the trade deadline in March of 2025 as part of the return for Charlie Coyle, Zellers immediately shot up the Boston prospect rankings into the top 5, maybe even the top 3. Like Letourneau, it wouldn't be surprising to see Zellers sign if he duplicates his freshman season. If he does, his skill is good enough to play for the Black and Gold late in the spring.
Add us as a preferred source on Google