Quietly, the Boston Bruins prospect pool is climbing rankings from different outlets, but don't be fooled, it is not where it should be for an organization that continues to look to inject youth into their lineup.
Some are knocking on the door and could make an impact as soon as this season, while one, Fraser Minten, is looking to take the next step in his development. There is also unsigned Matthew Poitras, who is looking to make the roster full-time after spending the last couple of seasons in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Providence Bruins. Here are the top 5 Bruins prospects heading into the 2026-27 season.
5. Dans Locmelis
One of the more intriguing prospects for the Bruins is 22-year-old Dans Locmelis. After two years at UMass, the fourth-round pick of the 2022 Entry Draft has played well for the P-Bruins with 18 goals and 22 assists; however, where does he fit in the lineup, and more importantly, long-term? There really isn't a path to the roster out of training camp, but Boston's overload of bottom-six forwards is blocking him. There is upside and promise; just where he fits in remains to be seen.
4. Frederic Brunet
Speaking of the 2022 Entry Draft, defenseman Frederic Brunet was selected in the fifth round. The 23-year-old has been a solid player in the AHL with Providence, but he is going to be part of a handful of defensemen in camp who are going to be looking to make the Opening Night roster. Charlie McAvoy being suspended for the first six games opens the door for some interesting decisions, but if there is a time for Brunet to break camp on the roster, this is it.
3. Dean Letourneau
After a forgettable freshman season at Boston College, 2024 first-round pick Dean Letrouneau bounced back big time last season as a sophomore and is not ready for an even bigger junior season for the Eagles. The 6-foot-7, 210-pound forward could carve himself out a nice role in the NHL someday, but after a 2025-26 season that saw him net 22 goals and 39 points in 36 games, if he duplicates those numbers this season, he'll likely sign in the spring. If Boston is out of the playoff race, it wouldn't be surprising to see him get some game action.
2. Will Zellers
Acquired from the Colorado Avalanche at the trade deadline in March of 2025 as part of the return for Charlie Coyle, Will Zellers quickly shot up the Bruins' prospect rankings not long after he was acquired. In his freshman season at North Dakota, Zellers had 18 goals and 34 points in the top-six. At the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship, he had five goals and eight points for Team USA. The 20-year-old could make the jump to the pros after this upcoming season.
1. James Hagens
There really isn't a debate as to who would be No. 1, was there? After a strong sophomore season at BC, Hagens turned pro and played a couple of games in the AHL before signing his entry-level deal and arriving in Boston. He played a few regular-season games and then the first three playoff games in the first round against the Buffalo Sabres. He got his feet wet, but now he needs to take the next step in 2026-27 and lock down a full-time NHL role.
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