NHL 2025 DRAFT - Bruins pick 7th

[Bruin4]

The first 6 picks go as expected...

With the 7th pick, the Boston Bruins select Eklund.

Ladies and gentlemen we have a trade to announce.

The Boston Bruins have traded the rights to Eklund and both their 2d round picks to San Jose for the rights to Misa.

You heard it here first

If we’re dealing with S.J let’s deal them the 7th overall, Torontos first next year and Colorado second this year for Will Smith

 

[PlayMakers]

I question how many of these top ranked kids end up as centers at the NHL level?

Desnoyers to me is the safest bet to remain a pivot at the NHL level because of his mature two-way game. If any of the rest of the top ranked forwards end up on the wing in the NHL it won't shock me at all. I'd put the chances of them all ended up as centers at 0.0%, Some will be centers, some will be wingers, good luck predicting it.

It really doesn't matter because you can drive play just as easily from the wing in today's NHL.

Just take the best player.

Misa prefers center but can play wing so there's some ambiguity there. When he plays on a team with Desnoyer they made Misa a LW, but I'd think he'll stay at C in the NHL. Martin, I can see being converted to wing, just because of that old school mentality that wings are physical. That, and there are so many good C's in Canada that he probably gets moved over for international play. I think Desnoyer, Frondell and O'Brien will all be centers. I haven't seen them play anywhere else, or be listed as wingers anywhere else. Desnoyer and Frondell are classic two-way centers. O'Brien is that classic playmaking center.

I do agree you can drive play from any line, but how many times have you hear Team X can't win because they don't have a real #1 center? I don't know if that's a myth or not but it's a common theme among fans and talking heads.

 

[DKH]

I like Eklund... but honestly, I hate the idea of drafting a winger in the top10. I just feel like, where else can you get a #1 center? They're so hard to find, so expensive to trade for, so rarely available as UFA's... If we don't get one now, we're relying on good luck to get one down the line.

Jack Eichel

 

[DKH]

I can’t see Eichel having anything left to prove in Vegas

Donskov was his assistant coach, time to return to where it all started

Geekie - Eichel- Pastrnak

Lock

 

[HumBucker]

I suppose if the B's really want a good chance to get a high-impact #1C, they'll do what they can to move up in the draft and pick higher.

 

[BronxBruin]

I question how many of these top ranked kids end up as centers at the NHL level?

Various prospect watchers in the media have already suggested Hagens, Frondell, and even possibly Misa could end up as wingers in the NHL. Who knows if the teams and their scouts feel the same way but it adds to your point that it'd be foolish to draft for position (namely center) if there's a chance that player won't actually stick at the position.

 

[BronxBruin]

I suppose if the B's really want a good chance to get a high-impact #1C, they'll do what they can to move up in the draft and pick higher.

They can try but what do they have to offer that would make a team in the top 4 want to drop down? Most of those teams (minus NYI) already have a stocked prospect pool...I doubt more picks or prospects (especially the ones Boston owns) are really gonna be all that compelling to them. Then who off the roster would Boston be willing to move that would be attractive to these teams? Most likely it's someone we don't want to part with. And this is the reason why top 10 (especially top 5) picks are hardly ever traded at the NHL draft.

 

[PlayMakers]

How many #1 centers do think will be available at #7? If one slips to #7 and you think that player has #1 potential (perhaps Martin, perhaps O'Brien), then yes, you take him.

My point is that a top-line wing is more valuable than a #2 center, especially when you already have 4 #2 centers.

I think there will be at least one #1 center at 7. I think the guys with 1c potential are Misa, Hagens, Desnoyer, Frondell and O'Brien. That's 5 picks, if you add in Schaefer and Martone, one of them should be there at 7. If someone goes off the board, 2 of them could be there.

I'm sure they won't all end up #1C's, but the "worst" of them put up 100 points as a 17 year old in the best junior league in the world. I'll take my chances that he can figure out the rest.

I do hear what you're saying... if you really don't believe there's a 1c there at 7, you take the first line talent. That's fair.

 

[Bruin4]

Misa prefers center but can play wing so there's some ambiguity there. When he plays on a team with Desnoyer they made Misa a LW, but I'd think he'll stay at C in the NHL. Martin, I can see being converted to wing, just because of that old school mentality that wings are physical. That, and there are so many good C's in Canada that he probably gets moved over for international play. I think Desnoyer, Frondell and O'Brien will all be centers. I haven't seen them play anywhere else, or be listed as wingers anywhere else. Desnoyer and Frondell are classic two-way centers. O'Brien is that classic playmaking center.

I do agree you can drive play from any line, but how many times have you hear Team X can't win because they don't have a real #1 center? I don't know if that's a myth or not but it's a common theme among fans and talking heads.

I think it’s true on how you build a championship team is down the middle. You need top flight centers along with defenseman and your keeper to build around.

Will the Sharks keep Misa at center or move him back to LW where he was playing up till this year ? They already have Celebrini and Smith.

If I’m Sweeney I’m giving Grier a call and offering a boatload for Smith if the Sharks do plan on leaving Misa at center.

 

[PlayMakers]

I hear you on this. Been on the C wagon for some time. Hopefully they won’t be in a position to draft this high again for a long time.

Thing is though… You have to be more confident that O’Brien will be a first line player than Eklund will be. And I’m just… not there. If the goal is to get a first line center and there aren’t any available, but there IS a top line winger, what do you do? This is all of course, my assessment of the talent which isn’t worth much.

Getting booted two spots really hurt em.

I hear you and it makes sense. There is a similar argument for Martin in my head. He's probably not a 1st line talent, but he does have a rare and valuable skillset. How many ferocious hitting 2nd line centers are there in the NHL? Heck, how many ferocious, active hitters are there at any top6 position? Guys like Wilson and Brady Tkachuk are sought after, and worth a lot more (on the ice and in trade) than their point totals.

 

[PlayMakers]

Jack Eichel

I file this under Tomas Hertl and Martin Necas. How many elite players have we craved and thought we'd get as free agents? Heck, you could go all the way back to Roenick and original Tkachuk.

I'd love to see it happen, and think there's reason to be hopeful, but you can't build a franchise on a hope. If Don Sweeney went to Cam and Charlie and said my plan to rebuild this team is to hopefully sign Eichel two summers from now... we'd have a new GM.

 

[Bruin4]

I suppose if the B's really want a good chance to get a high-impact #1C, they'll do what they can to move up in the draft and pick higher.

Im sure Sweeney turning over every stone and this years first is in play in an attempt to move up or package it with the intention of landing a young center currently playing in the NHL (W.Smith). The guys job is on the line, on how he progresses with this team in the off season.

 

[Bruin4]

After speaking with agents, scouts, team staff and those around many of the players over the course of the year, this is my first crack at predicting the first round.

2025 NHL Mock Draft 1.0: Scott Wheeler predicts the entire first round

With the first-round order taking shape following Monday night's lottery, Wheeler makes the first 32 picks of the draft.

www.nytimes.com

7. Boston Bruins: Jake O’Brien, C, Brantford Bulldogs​

If it plays out the way I have it here, this will be O’Brien or Martone. Ultimately, I think the Bruins begin their rebuild down the middle, though. I think they’d be all over Martin if he’s here as well. (McQueen is probably in play here depending on his medicals, too.)

 

[bobber]

I can't see any team that has the opportunity to draft the top two players in this draft not taking them.

 

[Sheppy]

If we’re dealing with S.J let’s deal them the 7th overall, Torontos first next year and Colorado second this year for Will Smith

Throw in Korpisalo for Askarov too.

 

[Bruin4]

How ‘incredible’ Jake O’Brien became one of the 2025 NHL Draft’s top prospects

O'Brien has ascended to the top of the 2025 class and has a chance to be a top-10 pick at the draft in June.

www.nytimes.com

Jay McKee, the Bulldogs’ head coach, told The Athletic that O’Brien has been “incredible” in his two years in the OHL. He talks about an “elite, elite hockey IQ,” about how games just “flow and slow down for him,” and about how he “sees plays developing before they happen.” He talks about his passing ability, his deceptiveness, his unpredictability, how coachable he is, a shot that has improved and his leadership.

He has this knack for time and space,” de Langley said. “He’s very smooth. He’s effortless. His two-way game right now is exceptional. The sky really is the limit for him. He’s really going to be able to produce offensively but it’s his two-way game and that defensive aspect that’s really going to help him excel. I know a lot of people compare him to a Ryan O’Reilly or an even more high-end Phillip Danault where you can just trust these guys in all situations. There’s still so much room for him to grow into his body from a physical maturity standpoint, too, and that’s only going to help him.”

“He’s muscular and strong and fit, but he does have a very slight frame and he’s quite aware of that so it’s always been something that’s on his radar,” Nichol said. “Everyone’s got their areas of focus and it’s been one and will probably continue to be one for him.”

 

[BlackFrancis]

I know a lot of people compare him to a Ryan O’Reilly or an even more high-end Phillip Danault where you can just trust these guys in all situations.

I am not saying this hasn't happened but has anyone heard those comparisons? And if he's a widely acknowledged defensive wizard, why isn't O'Brien going #1?

 

[Bruin4]

I am not saying this hasn't happened but has anyone heard those comparisons? And if he's a widely acknowledged defensive wizard, why isn't O'Brien going #1?

Every draft eligible player is going to get praise and comparison from their coaches prior and past, its the nature of the beast. In the end its all up to the bruins brain-trust on who they take. O'Brien could be there and is a pretty likely target

 

[The don godfather]

Get martone if he slips and trade for Mika Z with salary retention from rags. Center depth solved. Mika elias poitras minton. What you all think?

 

[DKH]

I file this under Tomas Hertl and Martin Necas. How many elite players have we craved and thought we'd get as free agents? Heck, you could go all the way back to Roenick and original Tkachuk.

I'd love to see it happen, and think there's reason to be hopeful, but you can't build a franchise on a hope. If Don Sweeney went to Cam and Charlie and said my plan to rebuild this team is to hopefully sign Eichel two summers from now... we'd have a new GM.

on July 4 eight weeks from today I’ll be interested in not only the Bruins but if these 2026 FA have been extended

 

[Fenian24]

They can trade for a center. They have Lohrei, picks and a goalie to package. We don't know who is available or what the cost might be.

Yes I would love Misa or Frondell but at 7 I think you take best available despite the dire need for a top line center. If that player is Martone, Eklund or Martin take the one Bruins think will be the most productive. My love of physical, tough forwards says Martin but is he a top 6 forward or a better Frederic?

 

[JAD]

I have a curiosity question … how much do scouts, NHL teams, prospect ranking companies look into a player’s family lineage to try and project potential?

Do rankings even consider future potential or are they based completely upon 'current ability' going into the draft?

Would/is family lineage be used to ‘try’ to predict the future development of the players? Do teams look at genetic traits, such as physical development, genetic preference tendencies, disposition, and temperament of other males in a prospect’s lineage? Do teams go to that extent? With the Bruins picking 7th in this draft there may be two, three or four prospects that all appear somewhat equally good choice based on immediate ability and development.

I ask because, let’s say there are two draft prospects, Prospect A and Prospect B, equal skills and talents in everyway to this point in their on ice play and development. Skill wise and hockey IQ both appear to be equal. Both play the same position, same strengths and weaknesses in their games, both just turned 18, weigh in around 175 -180lbs, and both are just under 6 feet tall.

Prospect A - his current family he is the oldest with three younger sisters. His father works as an accountant stands 5’11” and weighs 195lbs. The father’s brother works as an office manager stands 5’ 10” weighs approximately 190lbs. Looking back through his family tree no male in his family was taller than 6’1’’ nor weighed more than 200lbs and they all historically gravitated towards non-physical careers.

Prospect B – his current family he is the youngest of six with three older brothers. His brothers were all roughly the same height and weight as him when they where just turning 18. Now, his older brothers are all in their 20’s, all working on the family ranch and each of them stand about 6’4” – 6’5” weighing in between 215 - 225lbs. His father stands 6’5” weights 235lbs and has always worked on the ranch just like his father and his father’s father. It’s been bred into them for generations. All males in his family tree are over 6’3” and usually weigh over 210lbs and all gravitated towards hard physical labor jobs.

Remember, both prospect’s are currently equal and equally ranked based upon current attributes and skill. But what will they be like in 5 – 10 years. If you were selecting which of these two would you select knowing their genetic lineage histories?

So, with this in mind, how would such information possible change whom the Bruins select should their choices all be somewhat equal, or does it not matter? There are no guarantees and there is always risk when drafting 18 year olds. And there are always anomalies in families, outliers.

With all that said, do teams look at family lineage when ranking players? Or is it all just based upon immediate skill?

 

[McPasta8873]

If bruins aren’t gonna trade up they should trade down. Seattle/ Buffalo/ Anaheim all desperately need a top 4 shutdown RHD prospect. Mrtka is that, Boston could potentially finesse a decent prospect or couple more high rd picks out of 1 of those 3 teams. Even if Boston moves down to 9 I’m pretty confident if Seattle doesn’t get mrtka they’ll take Jackson smith as they lack top end defensive prospects in general and have a very stacked forward prospect core.

Either way if Boston moves down to 9 or 10 they’d still get one of O’Brien/ Eklund/ McQueen/ Martin.

The only reason I wouldn’t trade 7 is if somehow one of the top guys fell in the draft like hagens/ martone/ frondell/ Desnoyers.

But it’s something to think about as I could see Buffalo getting very desperate to finally acquire a long term partner for Dahlin or Power.

 

[bobber]

I have a curiosity question … how much do scouts, NHL teams, prospect ranking companies look into a player’s family lineage to try and project potential?

Do rankings even consider future potential or are they based completely upon 'current ability' going into the draft?

Would/is family lineage be used to ‘try’ to predict the future development of the players? Do teams look at genetic traits, such as physical development, genetic preference tendencies, disposition, and temperament of other males in a prospect’s lineage? Do teams go to that extent? With the Bruins picking 7th in this draft there may be two, three or four prospects that all appear somewhat equally good choice based on immediate ability and development.

I ask because, let’s say there are two draft prospects, Prospect A and Prospect B, equal skills and talents in everyway to this point in their on ice play and development. Skill wise and hockey IQ both appear to be equal. Both play the same position, same strengths and weaknesses in their games, both just turned 18, weigh in around 175 -180lbs, and both are just under 6 feet tall.

Prospect A - his current family he is the oldest with three younger sisters. His father works as an accountant stands 5’11” and weighs 195lbs. The father’s brother works as an office manager stands 5’ 10” weighs approximately 190lbs. Looking back through his family tree no male in his family was taller than 6’1’’ nor weighed more than 200lbs and they all historically gravitated towards non-physical careers.

Prospect B – his current family he is the youngest of six with three older brothers. His brothers were all roughly the same height and weight as him when they where just turning 18. Now, his older brothers are all in their 20’s, all working on the family ranch and each of them stand about 6’4” – 6’5” weighing in between 215 - 225lbs. His father stands 6’5” weights 235lbs and has always worked on the ranch just like his father and his father’s father. It’s been bred into them for generations. All males in his family tree are over 6’3” and usually weigh over 210lbs and all gravitated towards hard physical labor jobs.

Remember, both prospect’s are currently equal and equally ranked based upon current attributes and skill. But what will they be like in 5 – 10 years. If you were selecting which of these two would you select knowing their genetic lineage histories?

So, with this in mind, how would such information possible change whom the Bruins select should their choices all be somewhat equal, or does it not matter? There are no guarantees and there is always risk when drafting 18 year olds. And there are always anomalies in families, outliers.

With all that said, do teams look at family lineage when ranking players? Or is it all just based upon immediate skill?

They do look at family size somewhat when players are coming into Major A. It's only one element though. They are highly scouted on talent first. Some are 6'4 , 6'5" already. NHL scouts have to look at skating , skill and whether the prospect could handle the physical beating of a long NHL season. They have project what a player might develop into going forward. Not an easy thing to do.

 

[vjcsmoke]

Maybe in 3-4 years down the road, but that would be asking a lot of an 18 year-old forward to be the straw the stirs your drink on the PP. Hell if he was in the NHL next year, it would be a major accomplishment.

True. I think Pastrnak was the last guy we drafted who played from Year 1 for us? Or have there been other exceptions?