NHL 2025 DRAFT - Bruins pick 7th II

[BMC]

Re: McQueen- If I'm a GM I need to know whether his back issue is a one off or are we looking at a potentially chronic issue that would have to be managed & that may even shorten his career? I would not trust what McQueen's camp is saying about it, after all it is their job to get him drafted as high as possible.

This is a very, very tough call. There is a lot at stake for McQueen and the team that finally ends up drafting him & yes I think someone will draft him. I just don't think that team should be the Bruins unless they've got ironclad evidence that his back will not be an issue going forward. As someone who has had back problems I'm not sure ironclad evidence can be found because backs are very tricky things.

 

[KnightofBoston]

Re: McQueen- If I'm a GM I need to know whether his back issue is a one off or are we looking at a potentially chronic issue that would have to be managed & that may even shorten his career? I would not trust what McQueen's camp is saying about it, after all it is their job to get him drafted as high as possible.

This is a very, very tough call. There is a lot at stake for McQueen and the team that finally ends up drafting him & yes I think someone will draft him. I just don't think that team should be the Bruins unless they've got ironclad evidence that his back will not be an issue going forward. As someone who has had back problems I'm not sure ironclad evidence can be found because backs are very tricky things.

fwiw, did your back issues occur at 17 when you grew to be 6' 5" and were playing competitive hockey?

my curiosity would be if his back issue is genetic and can become degenerative or if it was just an injury from a growth spurt that needs muscle and stability work

 

[Bruin4]

fwiw, did your back issues occur at 17 when you grew to be 6' 5" and were playing competitive hockey?

my curiosity would be if his back issue is genetic and can become degenerative or if it was just an injury from a growth spurt that needs muscle and stability work

Draft Profile 2k25: Roger McQueen’s talent was overshadowed by injury

The High Risk, High-Reward pick of the draft is this large center who has a lot of skill, but a lot of questions.

www.davyjoneslockerroom.com

McQueen had an injury which ate most of his season which was initially was rumored to be a slipped disc, but was clarified later to be Spondylolysis, or a Pars Fracture of the Spine, which sounds scary, but is quite common in both contact and non-contact sports where forced spine extension is a part of the deal (Gymnasts and O-linemen are frequently the victims of this), and while it usually does require a brace, physical therapy, and plenty of rest, it is usually treatable without surgery.

 

[DaaaaB's]

I want to make the case for Roger McQueen.

I come in with two statements.

1. The ultimate goal is to win the Cup
2. The Bruins likely won’t be picking this low again when fully healthy without blowing it up harder.

With that in mind, assuming no unexpected drops, which is very possible, you are looking at McQueen, Martin, O’Brien or Eklund.

Martin I think you are hoping for Ryan Callahan but has a nice floor.

Eklund you are looking at something in a range of Nylander to Zuccarello.

O’Brien maybe a taller Savard is what you are hoping for.

These are all good players!

But are any of them the second best forward on a Cup winner?

McQueen, on the other hand, I think has a ceiling of that kind of player. Yes. There is a lot more risk.

But is the goal to get a top six guy to help you stay in the mushy middle, or take your shot?

There is so much complaining about the Bruins winning all these regular season games the last 15 years but only one Cup. I’d rather take the big swing on a guy that could, potentially, lead a 2nd first line before Pasta can’t lead the other one.

I wouldn't even call this making a case for McQueen. You gave no evidence that he deserves to be picked this high and I have no idea why you think he has more offensive potential than the other 3 guys you mention. It certainly doesn't show up in the highlights or stat sheet. Back injury or not McQueen will never be a top 6 forward in the NHL. I wouldn't take him in the top 20.

 

[yazmybaby]

I wouldn't even call this making a case for McQueen. You gave no evidence that he deserves to be picked this high and I have no idea why you think he has more offensive potential than the other 3 guys you mention. It certainly doesn't show up in the highlights or stat sheet. Back injury or not McQueen will never be a top 6 forward in the NHL. I wouldn't take him in the top 20.

I totally agree with you, why take a chance on him?

 

[BMC]

fwiw, did your back issues occur at 17 when you grew to be 6' 5" and were playing competitive hockey?

my curiosity would be if his back issue is genetic and can become degenerative or if it was just an injury from a growth spurt that needs muscle and stability work

My back issue did occur at age 17. I was playing competitive softball (HS) but no, I did not have a growth spurt. It turned out my problem was/is genetic and was just waiting to happen. While there is no fix I control it with stretches & walking and thankfully it has not troubled me in a long time.

 

[KnightofBoston]

My back issue did occur at age 17. I was playing competitive softball (HS) but no, I did not have a growth spurt. It turned out my problem was/is genetic and was just waiting to happen. While there is no fix I control it with stretches & walking and thankfully it has not troubled me in a long time.

Really good to hear, back issues are no joke

Luckily for McQueen it sounds like a standard growth spurt injury rather than it being more like yours.

 

[Kegs]

I think he should be at 7. Even if a Doc clears him. You always find an opinion you like as long as you look hard enough. Lol

I’d just stay away at 7. If the Bruins were picking in the teens, then I could see it, but not this early. Sweeney needs to hit here.

Is his upside at 7 really that much greater than a Frondell, Eklund, or an O’Brein?This isn’t Mario or Lindros we’re talking about here, not even close. So why go out on the limb when they’ll be equal value there at 7 without the potential of drafting a player who could have an injury that could hamper his ability to play at a top level.

Dom watches a lot of chl hockey. He mentioned; McQueen, Misa and Hagens as potential top line players.

 

[CDJ]

If McQueen isn’t dealing with stenosis then he’ll be fine

 

[Bruin4]

If McQueen isn’t dealing with stenosis then he’ll be fine

You stay at a Holiday Inn last night?

 

[Bruin4]

Dom watches a lot of chl hockey. He mentioned; McQueen, Misa and Hagens as potential top line players.

That’s the general consensus as long as he remains healthy. Hell he might end up being the best of the bunch, but imo the risk for Sweeney and the Bruins is to great to pick him at 7 when the likes of Frondell, Eklund and O’Brein could be there.

He only played 17 games his draft year and throughout his WHL career wasn't close to a point per game. Big pass for me.

 

[goldenblack]

I don't take McQueen at 7. But I monitor his fall. If he falls in the draft I aggressively try to trade back in with some of my future picks from all the trades.

Eklund at 7 and McQueen at 15 would be fun!

 

[Number6]

Let's hope Sweeney gives a call to Dr. Recchi before the draft.

 

[Bruin4]

Eklund growing on me. He sounds like he has a little Marchand in him, with his never quit and restlessness effort he puts out.



Eklund is coming off his first full season of playing pro men’s hockey with Djurgardens – a team he helped get up to the top division in Sweden for 2025-26. Eklund was the only draft eligible prospect in the Allsvenskan to register 30 points, and he was one of two, including teammate Anton Frondell, to register more than seven. Eklund’s output is the third best by a draft-eligible prospect in league history, behind Elias Pettersson (41 points in 2016-17) and Alexander Wennberg (32 in 2012-13).

Playing against men is one thing, but thriving is another. It was a big adjustment for Eklund, but he took it all in stride.

“Playing against pro players, there are a lot of obstructions and you need to think more and play bigger compared to the U-18 level,” Eklund said earlier in the season. “You just kind of go with the flow.”

Eklund moves quickly and doesn’t waste any movement, making him difficult to move away from the crease. While it was a small sample size, Eklund was a standout at the World Junior Summer Showcase last year – the event that kicked off his draft season – because nobody knew how to handle him in the slot. He was engaged in every physical battle and rarely lost.

Eklund is a projected top 10 pick, with some scouts wondering if he could go as high as No. 5. He’s not your prototypical sub-six-foot winger – his competitive nature allows him to beat just about anyone. He’s a right-shot forward who loves to expose goalies on the left wing, but he’s willing to shoot from anywhere. The more you watch Eklund, the more you see the confidence in his game.

 

[BMC]

Really good to hear, back issues are no joke

Luckily for McQueen it sounds like a standard growth spurt injury rather than it being more like yours.

Thanks!

 

[yazmybaby]

Eklund growing on me. He sounds like he has a little Marchand in him, with his never quit and restlessness effort he puts out.



Eklund is coming off his first full season of playing pro men’s hockey with Djurgardens – a team he helped get up to the top division in Sweden for 2025-26. Eklund was the only draft eligible prospect in the Allsvenskan to register 30 points, and he was one of two, including teammate Anton Frondell, to register more than seven. Eklund’s output is the third best by a draft-eligible prospect in league history, behind Elias Pettersson (41 points in 2016-17) and Alexander Wennberg (32 in 2012-13).

Playing against men is one thing, but thriving is another. It was a big adjustment for Eklund, but he took it all in stride.

“Playing against pro players, there are a lot of obstructions and you need to think more and play bigger compared to the U-18 level,” Eklund said earlier in the season. “You just kind of go with the flow.”

Eklund moves quickly and doesn’t waste any movement, making him difficult to move away from the crease. While it was a small sample size, Eklund was a standout at the World Junior Summer Showcase last year – the event that kicked off his draft season – because nobody knew how to handle him in the slot. He was engaged in every physical battle and rarely lost.

Eklund is a projected top 10 pick, with some scouts wondering if he could go as high as No. 5. He’s not your prototypical sub-six-foot winger – his competitive nature allows him to beat just about anyone. He’s a right-shot forward who loves to expose goalies on the left wing, but he’s willing to shoot from anywhere. The more you watch Eklund, the more you see the confidence in his game.

I have been advocating for Eklund for weeks now. He is the real deal and is NHL ready now.
With Misa and Schaefer off the board and I can see Frondell and Martone as for sure picks before 7, I hope he falls to us.

 

[Uwe McFivehole]

I have been advocating for Eklund for weeks now. He is the real deal and is NHL ready now.
With Misa and Schaefer off the board and I can see Frondell and Martone as for sure picks before 7, I hope he falls to us.

Eklund is still slight in stature, and it took his brother a couple years to marinate after his draft before becoming a full time NHLer. So there’s no way Victor is NHL ready now. Is there? Why do you think so? It’s promising. I figured there’d be a wait if the Bruins pick him.

 

[PlayMakers]

Any word or updates from the combine?

 

[JoeIsAStud]

Any word or updates from the combine?

Looks like mostly interviews today. Medicals are Wednesday, and testing is Thursday and Friday. Not sure if the measuring height/weight is part of the medical or if that happens separate, it's not on the calendar from the NHL

2025 NHL Scouting Combine is underway | Montréal Canadiens

Week-long evaluation process via interviews and fitness testing begins today

www.nhl.com

 

[ON3M4N]

Eklund is still slight in stature, and it took his brother a couple years to marinate after his draft before becoming a full time NHLer. So there’s no way Victor is NHL ready now. Is there? Why do you think so? It’s promising. I figured there’d be a wait if the Bruins pick him.

I don't know the history enough of SJ & Eklund, but how much of his marinating was because SJS felt he wasn't NHL ready? Just looking at it from a 40,000ft view, Eklund played 9 games in the NHL the year after he was drafted. He was then sent back to play in the SHL to finish the season. He wasn't terrible in those 9 NHL games with 4pts. The following season he starts in the AHL and then came up towards the end of the year. In those two seasons he had 17GP / 2G / 5A, which would have put him at a 82 game pace for roughly what he did in his first full season with SJS.

If the SJS felt like he wasn't ready for NHL play, I don't see why they would haven even given him a few looks in his first two seasons. Is it possible that he could have gone straight to the NHL and been ok? possibly. Maybe SJ felt based on where the franchise was that it'd be better for his development to go back and play in the SHL and then get his feet wet in the AHL as he adjusted to NA Hockey.

Don't forget, his ELC also slide those first two years. For the SJS that meant they could keep him on his ELC through the 2025-2026 season.

 

[KnightofBoston]

If the bruins take Eklund I fully expect Lysell to take second line right wing next season and then eventually Eklund will replace him. Good problem to have


RM down in Providence btw said Lysell’s skill set translates better to NHL. I had that view when watching his final stretch here vs my live views in Springfield and Hartford shortly after so good to hear Mougenel has the same perspective. Check out his interview with hockey hub

 

[22Brad Park]

McQueen would be such an Armstrong pick.

He would go top 5 without a doubt if no back injury.Kid is big and can shoot a puck into the back of the net.Sweeney might take a shot on him ,you never know.

 

[Absurdity]

He would go top 5 without a doubt if no back injury.Kid is big and can shoot a puck into the back of the net.Sweeney might take a shot on him ,you never know.

It will be interesting to see what happens at #4, and if Armstrong even keeps the pick. I think Utah has a deep enough prospect pool and young roster that they could be fine with drafting McQueen.

 

[Saxon Eric]

 

[Kegs]

If by some miracle the bruins get this guy I’ll do two backflips.