Boston Bruins
High-upside talents like Tommy Bleyl or Nikita Klepov could be available when Boston lands on the clock.
Don Sweeney and the Bruins could use another high-skilled defenseman in their prospect pool. Matthew J Lee/The Boston Globe
The Boston Bruins’ ambitious offseason plans suffered a sizable setback last month.
Initially expecting to enter the 2026 NHL Draft with both their own first-round selection and either the sixth or seventh overall pick (from Toronto), Boston could only watch as the Maple Leafs won the draft lottery — securing the No. 1 pick and pushing that Leafs pick all the way to 2028 as an unprotected first-round selection.
Holding onto that Leafs pick this year represented a prime opportunity for Boston to either use that pick to select another blue-chip prospect for their burgeoning pipeline — or flip it via trade for an immediate impact player.
But, even with Toronto retaining that selection, Boston is still entering this weekend’s draft with eight total picks.
Round 1 (No. 23 overall)
Round 2 (No. 56 overall)
Round 3 (No. 88 overall)
Round 4 (No. 104 overall, No. 111 overall, No. 122 overall)
Round 5 (No. 157 overall)
Round 7 (No. 216 overall)
The Bruins may not have the means to add a top-line, franchise star in the first round. But, there are several intriguing prospects who could be available by the time Boston lands on the clock late Friday night.
Tommy Bleyl, RHD, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)
The Bruins are not just in desperate need of adding another top prospect to the D corps, especially on the right side. They should be on the prowl for a particular type of D-man — one with plus skating tools and the ability to inject plenty of offense from the blue line.
As such, a prospect like Tommy Bleyl should hold plenty of appeal if he’s still on the board at No. 23 — a far more realistic scenario than another undersized, high-skilled blueliner like Ryan Lin, who might be plucked by a club in the teens.
The former Cushing Academy standout dominated after making the jump up to the QMJHL this season, scoring 13 goals and 81 total points in 63 games. It stood as the most points recorded by a draft-eligible D in the Q in 45 years.
Tommy Bleyl is a 6’0 two way RHD that skates really well. Immense offensive skill. He is having a breakout year in the Q
13G 68A 81P in 63GP. The MSU commit is a wizard with the puck.
Cant wait for @mndamico interview with him!
Look at this play 👇 pic.twitter.com/8xbGCju1b2
— The Prospect Don (@TheProspectDon) April 10, 2026
The 6-foot blueliner is an elusive playmaker and elite skater — drawing comparisons to Brian Rafalski as a potential power-play QB by The Athletic. The Athletic ranked Bleyl as the fifth-best skater in this draft class, while Elite Prospects’ scouts poll tabbed him as this class’ top straight-line skater.
A Michigan State commit, Bleyl is a flawed prospect, but one who could give Boston an injection of skating talent and offensive creativity if they select him at No. 23.
J.P. Hurlbert, F, Kamloops Blazers (WHL)
The Bruins have seen their prospect pipeline make some major strides in recent years due in large part to an influx of high-scoring, shot-first wingers into the system, led by Will Zellers and Cooper Simpson.
J.P Hurlbert figures to be cut from a similar cloth as a potential middle-six forward with 20-25-goal upside. While Hurlbert’s skating and defensive work have drawn some concerns, he’s produced just about everywhere he’s gone so far in his promising career — including putting up 97 points (42 goals, 55 assists) in 68 games in the WHL this past year.
J.P. Hurlbert does is all offensively. Has a wicked shot, great hands, high hockey IQ and is a good playmaker.
He is also a strong player that hits hard. He does not throw his body around in a reckless manner. He leads with his hands to knock players leverage and when he has… pic.twitter.com/68muoaDbGz
— The Prospect Don (@TheProspectDon) March 27, 2026
The University of Michigan commit has top-six potential, but even his floor as a shot-ready, third-line forward that peppers the net could hold some appeal to a Bruins team that needs more cost-controlled scoring punch across the depth chart.
Nikita Klepov, LW, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
Whereas Hurlbert’s strengths lie in his shot, Nikita Klepov led the OHL in scoring this past season, tallying 37 goals and 97 points in just 67 games. His motor is evident upon watching his tape, with the Michigan State commit capable of beating defenders one-on-one and generating quality looks off the rush.
He’s not the most physical player, and he can be pushed to the outside, but Klepov has the potential to be a high-skilled middle-six wing with legitimate top-six upside if he hits. Given his skillset, Klepov might be a long shot at still being on the board at No. 23.
Xavier Villeneuve, LHD, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)
Much like Bleyl, Xavier Villeneuve is the type of blueliner that the Bruins would love to add to their prospect pool as an offensive-minded playmaker.
If teams are trying to secure a lottery ticket in hopes of finding the next Lane Hutson or other undersized, uber-skilled D-man, Villeneuve might be worth the risk.
Xavier Villeneuve goes to the Bruins at 23 in @Hockey_Robinson’s latest mock.
Dynamic handles with superb skating as a LHD. Size and defense are definitely scary and a work in progress, but the upside swing is real. pic.twitter.com/3IS6zsT3tI
— Robert Chalmers (@IvanIvanlvan) June 25, 2026
The 5-foot-11 Villeneuve — who will play at Boston University this fall — is an elite skater who can elude skaters and move the puck out of danger with some crisp edge work. As enticing as Villeneuve might be, there is some boom-or-bust potential with him due to concerns about his overall defensive game, risk-taking, and what was a productive (but not elite) abbreviated season in the Q (six goals, 38 points in 37 games).
Still, the tools are awfully enticing for a Bruins team in need of some high-end skill on their future blue line.
Adam Novotny, LW, Peterborough Petes (OHL)
Adam Novotny is another fleet-footed, shot-ready winger who already boasts a strong frame at 6-foot-1 and 201 pounds. Even if his production in the OHL (34 goals, 65 points in 58 games) didn’t pop as much as a player like Klepov, Novotny might have a higher floor in the pro ranks due to his physicality and straight-line speed.
Even if his offensive skillset doesn’t translate to a 25-goal regular in the NHL ranks, he could still carve out an effective role in due time as a relentless forechecker.
Liam Ruck, RW, Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
Liam Ruck stands as a fascinating draft target for the Bruins, for several reasons.
At 5-foot-11, Ruck is a slightly undersized winger who also doesn’t exactly get high marks for his skating ability. But, that didn’t stop him from stuffing the stat sheet this past season in the WHL.
Even though Gavin McKenna left Medicine Hat to attend Penn State ahead of the 2025-26 campaign, Ruck was still a force in a top-line role for the Tigers — scoring 45 goals and 104 points in 68 games. It remains to be seen if he can produce at a high level in the pro game, but Ruck also has earned some high marks for his compete and hockey IQ.
But, any team drafting Liam Ruck would also be best suited to also draft his identical-twin brother, Markus Ruck, at some point in the late first or second round.
Whereas Liam is more of the finisher, Markus is a gifted passer who — much like his brother — has some concerns over his size and speed. But, on a line together, the duo carved up the competition in the WHL, with Markus posting 21 goals and 87 assists over 68 games.
Boston may need to pool picks and trade up in the late first or early second round to guarantee a shot at also drafting Markus Ruck. But, if Boston adds both brothers, they could potentially anchor a line in the pro ranks if they reach their ceiling.
I’ve become aware of the Ruck twins and need the Caps to draft them with their two 1st round picks. #1 and 2 in WHL scoring this year, ranked late 1st round.
We need more brothers on the team. Don’t stop with Big and Lil Protas. Lane Hutson is a Cap too.pic.twitter.com/7ncc1NBZ3i
— Saint Nick (@SaintNick2018) March 24, 2026
Ilia Morozov, C, Miami (NCAA)
Whereas the Bruins should have plenty of high-risk, high-reward options at wing by the time they get on the clock, any center prospects available at the tail end of the first round project to be more two-way, third-line NHLers in due time.
That might steer the Bruins away from that segment of this draft class, especially with Boston already boasting some talented pivots in the system like James Hagens and Dean Letourneau.
Get to know the name Ilia Morozov
Despite being THE youngest player in the entire NCAA the 6-foot-3 Russia is a Top 6 center for Miami, he plays in all situations, he’s scoring at almost a point per game, and he’s a best in all three zones
Clips from a recent game (#18 black) pic.twitter.com/xnSuY3KKSH
— Derek Neumeier (@Derek_N_NHL) November 29, 2025
But, there are a few centers worth taking a long look at, including Morozov.
The youngest player in college hockey at the start of the 2025-26 season, Morozov logged first-line reps at the University of Miami — putting up eight goals and 20 total points in 36 games.
Even if he doesn’t project to be an offensive force as a pro, the 6-foot-3, 200-pound pivot played a physical game and could develop into a shutdown center further down on the depth chart. His ceiling might be that of a big-bodied center like Jordan Staal, who thrives in more of a middle-six spot.
Jack Hextall, C, Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
Much like Morozov, Jack Hextall is another center who projects as more of a third-line, 200-foot pivot at the next level. There’s been a bit of buzz as of late linking Hextall to the Bruins — with The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler projecting Hextall to Boston in his final mock draft earlier this week.
His offensive ceiling and skating may not leap off the page, but Hextall is another safer selection for the Bruins when it comes to hockey IQ, two-way play, and compete level. If the 6-foot-1, 188-pound center pops, he has the makings of a strong 3C, similar to Charlie Coyle.
Projected 1st round pick in the NHL Draft Jack Hextall has 6G 4A 10P 9GP in the @USHL this year. The Illinois native had 2G 5A 7P in 5GP at Hlinka. Really high on Hextall pic.twitter.com/EVKY10j418
— The Prospect Don (@TheProspectDon) October 18, 2025
The Athletic had Hextall tabbed as the third-best 200-foot forward in this draft class behind Caleb Malhotra and Viggo Björck.
Elton Hermansson, RW, MoDo (HockeyAllsvenskan)
Surprise, surprise — another highly-skilled winger who might be up for grabs when Boston gets to pick.
Elton Hermansson has some work to do when it comes to his play away from the puck, but the Swedish forward made an immediate impact at HockeyAllsvenskan — Sweden’s second-tier pro league — in 2025-26.
In total, he posted 21 points in 38 games with MoDo.As noted by Thomas Drance of The Athletic, the only 17-year-old skaters in HockeyAllsvenskan who have posted a higher points-per-game rate than Hermansson (.55) over the past 20 years are Anton Frondell (.86), William Nylander (.77), and David Pastrnak (.67).
Two minutes of Elton Hermansson (#2026NHLDraft) being one of the most skilled offensive creators in the entire draft class through his hands, vision, and shooting talent.
Hermansson was ranked 25th on our final board. pic.twitter.com/T3IPkFWaVH
— Lassi Alanen (@lassialanen) June 23, 2026
If Boston is looking to add more dynamic offense to its pipeline, Hermansson makes plenty of sense.
Casey Mutryn, F, USNTDP
A Norwell native and Boston College commit, Casey Mutryn has a much higher floor than a lot of other forwards projected to be available by the time Boston picks at No. 23. But, Mutryn could also have a lower ceiling as more of a two-way, physical wing who might be projected as a third-line stalwart at the next level.
But, even if Mutryn’s playmaking upside isn’t as high as a Klepov or Hermansson, his size, physicality, and leadership qualities have all drawn high marks throughout the lead-up to the draft. He figures to be a very good pro in the NHL. It just depends on whether or not the Bruins are looking to swing for the fences with a more-skilled option at No. 23.
Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.
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