Boston Bruins
Youngsters like Michael DiPietro and Frederic Brunet could carve out regular roles on next year’s roster.
Matt Poitras and Frederic Brunet could carve out greater roles with the Bruins next season. John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe
The Boston Bruins still have a ways to go when it comes to reworking their roster into a sustainable contender.
But, one of the positives drawn out of a surprising 100-point showing in 2025-26 was the first signs of a promising youth movement, with several rookie skaters and unproven talents cutting their teeth in the NHL ranks and carving out key roles in Boston’s lineup.
Boston will need several of those younger skaters — including Fraser Minten, James Hagens, Jonathan Aspirot, and Marat Khusnutdinov — to continue to take another collective step forward if Marco Sturm’s club wants to build off this past season’s brief playoff appearance.
And, the Bruins could see yet another influx of young talent this fall as Don Sweeney and his staff try to add more skill and speed to their lineup.
While blue-chip prospects like Dean Letourneau and Will Zellers could make the jump to the NHL next spring, don’t be surprised if several youngsters currently on Providence’s roster make a push for Boston’s roster during training camp.
Here are a few younger skaters to keep tabs on in the coming months:
G Michael DiPietro
Joonas Korpisalo did a solid job as Boston’s backup netminder behind Jeremy Swayman in 2025-26.
But, in terms of pure asset management, the Bruins can ill-afford to let a talented young goalie like Michael DiPietro get scooped up off waivers this fall — especially given the body of work he’s put forth down in Providence over the last few seasons.
If Boston can find a way to move Korpisalo’s contract ($3 million annual cap hit for the next two years), promoting a younger and cheaper ($812,500 cap hit) option in DiPietro makes plenty of sense.
The 26-year-old DiPietro — acquired by Boston in a trade with Vancouver involving Jack Studnicka in October 2022 — has found his stride over the last few seasons in the AHL.
He has won the Aldege “Baz” Bastien Memorial Award as the AHL’s top goalie in each of the past two seasons, with DiPietro also earning league MVP honors this past season after posting a 34-8-1 record with a .930 save percentage over 45 games with the P-Bruins.
If Boston once again tries to sneak DiPietro through waivers by sending him back down to Providence this fall, it feels like a given that one goalie-deficient NHL club will be poised to take him off of Boston’s hands.
The Bruins have recalled G Michael DiPietro from Providence on an emergency basis.
DiPietro has gone 22-6 with a 93.8% save percentage and a career best 1.76 GAA across 30 AHL games this season.pic.twitter.com/pLH7rdYAdr
— Jack Aylmer (@Jack_Aylmer) February 24, 2026
D Frederic Brunet
The Bruins’ most pressing need on the blue line this offseason is rooted in the search for a minutes-eating stalwart who can log heavy minutes in a top-four role. Of course, acquiring said talent is easier said than done — be it by shelling out big bucks in free agency or packaging several assets for an established talent.
But, after getting hemmed in by Buffalo’s forecheck throughout their six-game playoff series, the Bruins could stand to add another fleet-footed puck mover somewhere on their D corps.
Internally, a player like Frederic Brunet could be an appealing option — be it in more of a third-pairing role or potentially as a partner next to Charlie McAvoy.
A 2022 fifth-round pick by Boston, Brunet has made some major strides in the last few years with Providence as an offensive-minded blueliner who has rounded out his overall game — earning heavy minutes in all situations for Ryan Mougenel and his staff.
Two-way shift from Frederic Brunet, No. 42 in white, begins with his gap control and ends with a net-front goal in the last minute of the first period. Seventh goal of the season for Brunet as he continues to impress. #NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/VvyYFNZZw3
— Bruins Network (@BruinsNetwork) January 18, 2026
He’s not going to be a bruiser at the next level, but Brunet can withstand punishment a bit better than undersized D-men with his 6-foot-3, 200-pound frame.
Brunet, who scored 12 goals and 36 points over 65 games with Providence this past year, may not project as a future power-play QB.
But, he could serve a similar role as Matt Grzelcyk with a sturdier frame — making smart plays in transition and doing some of the dirty work to get McAvoy going.
F Matt Poitras
It’s been a roller-coaster ride for Matt Poitras when it comes to his various trips up to the NHL.
Once envisioned as a potential top-six fixture for Boston in the immediate aftermath of the Bergeron/Krejci era, Poitras exceeded plenty of expectations entering the 2023-24 season — earning a spot on Boston’s roster at just 19 years old after an impressive preseason and nine-game trial run.
A poised playmaker, Poitras ultimately scored five goals and 15 points over 33 games before his rookie year came to an early end due to injury. Since then, Poitras’ career has been marred by on-ice setbacks and prolonged growing pains in the AHL — appearing in just 36 games and scoring two goals over the past two seasons with Boston.
He only appeared in three games with Boston in 2025-26, but did score a highlight-reel goal in Boston’s Stadium Series game against the Lightning in February.
After scoring 85 points in his last 109 games with Providence, the 22-year-old Poitras has likely reached his ceiling against AHL competition. A top-nine spot down the middle likely won’t be in the cards for Poitras entering 2025-26.
But if Boston is adamant about adding some speed and scoring upside into the lineup, could Poitras make a push to center a fourth line alongside Tanner Jeanot and Mark Kastelic?
That might require Boston to adjust its fourth-line expectations from a straight-line, pugnacious grouping into more of a hybrid role. But even if Jeannot and Kastelic should once again be as advertised next season in terms of doling out punishment, a player like Poitras could raise the offensive ceiling of that segment of the lineup.
F Dans Locmelis
Given how much Sturm values versatile forwards who play with plenty of pace, a 22-year-old Swiss Army Knife like Dans Locmelis could eventually emerge as a trusty bottom-six regular if injuries arise or he takes another major leap in the AHL.
The 2022 fourth-round pick and former UMass standout has seen his stock soar in recent years — be it posting 12 points in six games with Providence in 2024-25 or several standout international tournaments while representing Team Latvia.
After scoring two goals in four games during the 2026 Winter Olympics, Locmelis suffered a season-ending shoulder injury that required surgery.
A smart, two-way player who tends to generate chances and scoring opportunities through hustle and heads-up play, Locmelis could make a push for his first NHL reps at some point this season.
Bruins prospect and UMass commit Dans Locmelis with a big goal today for Latvia. Excited for Locmelis’ future in the NCAA and beyond pic.twitter.com/ZTbsAgJR9X
— Robert Chalmers (@IvanIvanlvan) May 25, 2023
F Riley Duran
The Woburn native isn’t exactly flashy. But the 6-foot-2 forward could earn a look on Boston’s checking unit if the injury bug does sting a crop of skaters that takes its fair share of punishment over 82 games.
The 24-year-old Duran Riley hasn’t stuffed the stat sheet over his last two years in the AHL after turning pro following a promising collegiate career at Providence College.
Still, Duran has a high motor, creates chaos on the forecheck, and had a promising two-game stint with Boston in 2024-25. In those two games, Boston held a 25-8 edge in shot attempts during Duran’s 24:13 of 5-on-5 reps.
Fraser Minten has his fourth point (!) of the game as he jumps off the bench, controls the puck out high and shoots with purpose through traffic. Riley Duran, No. 11 in white, is there to score the tip-in goal. #NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/vbihLhG1Q9
— Bruins Network (@BruinsNetwork) March 16, 2025
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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