NHL 2025 DRAFT - Bruins pick 7th II

[Number8]

If that's how the first 6 picks go.....I'm torn between O'Brien and Eklund

O'Brien fills a need for a good young center. He's got everything you want with a project frame, 200ft game, high IQ and leadership qualities. Feels like a mix stylistically of Krejci & Bergeron based on what I've read. Good young centers are hard to find and its tough to pass on one.

Eklund could end up being one of the most dynamic players in the draft when all is said and done. Doesn't have size, but he's got that dog in him. As he matures and add strength, he'll only become even more dangerous. I went back and looked and when drafted Pastrnak was 6'0/168lb. Pastrnak now is sitting at 6'0/200lb. Eklund isn't much smaller than Pastrnak when he was drafted and sits at 5'11/161lb. With the right training program, there is no reason he couldn't get up over 190lbs.

Never know how these kids flesh out.

I remember seeing Pasta at the airport in his rookie year. He was going to the IIHF U18. Talked with him a bit. Super nice kid, big surprise. Anyway, he was a stick. I actually couldn’t believe he played at such a competitive level. Thin as a rail.

To see him now?? Yikes. Big boy!

 

[Bruinator]

There is no way Hagens & Desnoyers are getting to Boston

Stranger things have happened.

 

[Bruinator]

Yes I have thoughts on it.

You might have to look it up because I am going by memory, but the year before, only 25 of his 65 points came on the pp.

Brantford this year had the second most pp time in the OHL. O'Brien was in the first unit and they would spend 1:30 to 1:40 of the pp on the ice, sometimes the entire 2 minutes.

I'm not allowed to share some stats i have but I can tell you O'Brien had the 5th highest pp toi ib the OHL. And if I know it, Bob Wetick and the Bruins know it.

Obviously, when you are getting that much pp time, and add in pk time, your not getting the 5 on 5 time some of the other players are getting.

Seems like exactly what they need in a centre

 

[Guelph Bruin]

So.. Pasta's window is for the next 5 years....I'm torn....do we trade the pick for immediate help in Pasta's window? Or keep the pick who likely won't play with Pasta until another 3 years and not be prime help until Pasta is out of his prime? I still say trade the pick, Pasta is special and deserves it.

 

[DominicT]

Seems like exactly what they need in a centre

Hope you are doing well!!

 

[PlayMakers]

Yes I have thoughts on it.

You might have to look it up because I am going by memory, but the year before, only 25 of his 65 points came on the pp.

Brantford this year had the second most pp time in the OHL. O'Brien was in the first unit and they would spend 1:30 to 1:40 of the pp on the ice, sometimes the entire 2 minutes.

I'm not allowed to share some stats i have but I can tell you O'Brien had the 5th highest pp toi ib the OHL. And if I know it, Bob Wetick and the Bruins know it.

Obviously, when you are getting that much pp time, and add in pk time, your not getting the 5 on 5 time some of the other players are getting.

Thanks, that's great info.

 

[The don godfather]

So.. Pasta's window is for the next 5 years....I'm torn....do we trade the pick for immediate help in Pasta's window? Or keep the pick who likely won't play with Pasta until another 3 years and not be prime help until Pasta is out of his prime? I still say trade the pick, Pasta is special and deserves it.

Trade it for ep40.

 

[Jim]

So.. Pasta's window is for the next 5 years....I'm torn....do we trade the pick for immediate help in Pasta's window? Or keep the pick who likely won't play with Pasta until another 3 years and not be prime help until Pasta is out of his prime? I still say trade the pick, Pasta is special and deserves it.

He’s had two runs at it. So has McAvoy. What exactly do they deserve again?

Keep the pick, worry about finding the next core, and hope the transition between the two leads to some playoff success in a few years.

 

[Guelph Bruin]

He’s had two runs at it. So has McAvoy. What exactly do they deserve again?

Keep the pick, worry about finding the next core, and hope the transition between the two leads to some playoff success in a few years.

I'm not against it, but if that's the plan then in 2-3 years you'll likely need to sell high on Pasta and/or CM to add to the "next core" as you say. Slow burn rebuild instead of retool.

 

[Guelph Bruin]

He’s had two runs at it. So has McAvoy. What exactly do they deserve again?

Keep the pick, worry about finding the next core, and hope the transition between the two leads to some playoff success in a few years.

Just to add, drafting unknowns is a lottery ticket as most have eluded to ...so bird in hand via trade ...for proven NHL talent ...yup it's a risk you have to weigh..might miss out on a gem but stats say you're 50/50 at best...

 

[mar2kbos]

Reading my eliteprospects draft guide that just came out today. Much like we all know, after 1-2 the rest are all over the place. It may come down to team preference than best available player.

So after 1-2..
best rounded players would be the likes of Desnoyer, Hagens
Best goal scoring potential Frondell
Best utility top line forechecker Eklund
Best it’s always playoffs mentality Martin
Best playmaker O’brien
Best power forward Martone
Best risk/reward McQueen (best PF too)
Best might surprise player Bear
Best all around D Smith
Best Stevens impression Aitcheson (some of hits hurt watching and I have seen Martins)

 

[bruinsfan1968]

Just to add, drafting unknowns is a lottery ticket as most have eluded to ...so bird in hand via trade ...for proven NHL talent ...yup it's a risk you have to weigh..might miss out on a gem but stats say you're 50/50 at best...

Trading picks hasn't worked, or haven't you noticed that?

 

[Shroud of Orrin]

Trade it for ep40.

Or Rossi?

 

[The don godfather]

Or Rossi?

For rossi I need Minnesota 2nd round pick attached with it.

 

[Shroud of Orrin]

For rossi I need Minnesota 2nd round pick attached with it.

Not me. I’d do it straight up with a smile. He may get called out as soft by the populists but he’s tough. Works very hard. I believe will age very well like Pavelski…

 

[The don godfather]

Not me. I’d do it straight up with a smile. He may get called out as soft by the populists but he’s tough. Works very hard. I believe will age very well like Pavelski…

I rather get the sure thing then crapshoot draft. If donny cant he better hit the pick or else we in some serious deep doo doo.

 

[badbrewin]

I rather get the sure thing then crapshoot draft. If donny cant he better hit the pick or else we in some serious deep doo doo.

"And with the 7th overall pick, the Boston Bruins are proud to select from the Moldovian senior league, Bob Zboril"

 

[BiteThisBurrows]

Utah won't fall for Geekie. I chuckle when I see what people would give up a contract for him. In fact Geekie has no legitimacy to demand anything above 5 million per year on a long term contract. Before being put on Pastrnak's tail and riding with his wave in December he was a third line/fringe 2nd line RW/C who had scored two goals at his 20th game of the season. Geekie is 30 goal player only because he was put on the same line with a superstar. They let DeBrusk go and then sign the lesser player for a higher contract than Jake? Would be stupid but I guess with the front office everything is possible but it really wouldn't make sense.

I'm not sure, but I do think it's a difficult contract. Do I think he is a near guaranteed annual 30 goal scorer? Unlikely. Will he want that sort of money? Possibly. Hence I'd be okay with making him Utah's problem if we could get a deal for #4 worked out.

I know it's a weak draft, but imagine how fast you can do a rebuild with #4 and #7 same draft.

 

[quietbruinfan]

I'm not sure, but I do think it's a difficult contract. Do I think he is a near guaranteed annual 30 goal scorer? Unlikely. Will he want that sort of money? Possibly. Hence I'd be okay with making him Utah's problem if we could get a deal for #4 worked out.

I know it's a weak draft, but imagine how fast you can do a rebuild with #4 and #7 same draft.

I think it is extraordinarily unlikely he hits 30 again. He might get in the low 20s, but once the team gets better, others get chances and his shooting percentage returns to normal, I just can't see more than 25.

 

[pucksindeep92]

I'm not sure, but I do think it's a difficult contract. Do I think he is a near guaranteed annual 30 goal scorer? Unlikely. Will he want that sort of money? Possibly. Hence I'd be okay with making him Utah's problem if we could get a deal for #4 worked out.

I know it's a weak draft, but imagine how fast you can do a rebuild with #4 and #7 same draft.

If Geekie really can net you a 4th, I’ll get my dog shaped pet bath van ready, cue up Mockingbird, make Neely buy my lunch after he spits in it, and drive Geekie to the Rockies myself with a pit stop to see our friend Mary Samsonite along the way.

Finish it off by giving Bill Armstrong a baby blue suit and a bowl cut.

 

[BiteThisBurrows]

If Geekie really can net you a 4th, I’ll get my dog shaped pet bath van ready, cue up Mockingbird, make Neely buy my lunch after he spits in it, and drive Geekie to the Rockies myself with a pit stop to see our friend Mary Samsonite along the way.

Finish it off by giving Bill Armstrong a baby blue suit and a bowl cut.

That's funny but no, it would be Geekie plus ? Geekie would just be the main piece.

 

[KnightofBoston]

So.. Pasta's window is for the next 5 years....I'm torn....do we trade the pick for immediate help in Pasta's window? Or keep the pick who likely won't play with Pasta until another 3 years and not be prime help until Pasta is out of his prime? I still say trade the pick, Pasta is special and deserves it.

His window is until he’s 33? Idk, Marchand might say otherwise. Sure there are plenty of others.

But, generally the plan is for Sweeney to continue working ways to improve the team in all areas, meaning they have a side plan to make it a complete team around pasta and get diamonds that score 80-90 points here and there. It shouldn’t be all about pasta in other words

 

[Colt.45Orr]

Islanders - Schaefer
Sharks - Misa
Chicago - Martone
Utah - Desnoyers
Nashville - Hagens
Flyers - Frondell
Bruins - ????
One of
O’Brien
Eklund
Martin
McQueen

Martin.

He's been pegged as just a hitter when he's got sleeper skill.

 

[HustleB]

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.

Good analysis though I’d like to know why you think McQueen can potentially drive a first line where these other guys can’t. The reason I prefer Eklund or O’Brien is that I hear that same type of upside from my limited reading. But they have that upside without the back injury risk. Each of these players also had a better year than McQueen this year. So I hear you but take me a little further on what you see in McQueen that we might not see.

 

[HustleB]

His east west game is what I like the best. Guys his size don’t generally have that kind of east west maneuvers. He has high end offensive upside no question in my mine. Too bad about his health. I probably still wouldn’t take him with the 7. I won’t be mad if they do though.

I want: Brady Martin, Eklund, OBrien, Frondell, Desnoyers or Hagens.

Is that list in order? I like your list but I might flip the order of preference.