NHL 2025 DRAFT - Bruins pick 7th III

[Jim]

Whoa cowboy

If Brady Martin is drafted by the Bruins I expect him to be much better then Sam Bennett if we don’t count the last 3 weeks a complete anomaly

Bennett averaged 26 points his first 6 seasons

He cracked 50 points this season (51) first time

He plays with likely first ballot HOF Matt Tkachuk

He had a 15 goalless steak of no goals and 1 assist this season

He didn’t even bring back a first when Calgary dealt him available to 30 teams

I drafted him in the SIM 10 years ago and wanted to strangle him - I considered him a bust and traded him after 3 years

Brady Martin better be better than the first 7 years of Sam Bennett

That’s a very accurate level-set on the Martin/Bennett topic. The mania going on right now over Bennett, the talk of $10 million per season, it’s out of control.

No doubt he’s playing out of his mind and is a major part of his team’s success. No doubt. But don’t for one second think he’s as valuable to Florida as a guy like Tkachuk or Barkov. And in the end, that’s what we’re looking for….not Sam Bennett.

So yeah, if Martin doesn’t project to be superior, you pick another guy.

 

[DaaaaB's]

Had he played in the OHL instead of college that same year, likely he scores 40-50 goals and 50 or so assists

People need to clam down.

Now if he goes 0 - 3 again this year I’d start to get concerned, year 3, 1-4 goals , less than 10 assists, be assured he’ll be no more than a bottom line pivot


Jury is very much still out

This is so ridiculous lol. Just hilarious that you think a guy who put up 3 points in NCAA would've had 90-100 points in the OHL. There's difference between the two leagues isn't even close to being that wide.

 

[DKH]

They also can't waste the pick, I have more faith in Martin being a guy that plays 800+ NHL games, I do not feel that way about Hagens. If Hagens had continued to develop this year I would feel differently, but he has not and is no longer a consensus top 5 pick. This also is not a deep draft, it has been considered a weak draft class for a while. If I thought there was a high end, top line player at 7 of course I take him over Martin, I do not see that player being there, I definitely do not see Hagens as that player. Frondell or Eklund is there I take them over Martin.

Yup the hockey Gods are giving the Bruins a sign

Eklund is being served up on a platter to replace Brad Marchand

I can see similar career minus Brad’s on-ice Tomfoolery

 

[KnightofBoston]

not sure he`d put up those heady numbers in his 1st year of Junior had he gone that route, think he might have put up 20-20- 40 type numbers which would have been perfectly respectful

How much of a step up from his league is it to OHL?

 

[DaaaaB's]

How much of a step up from his league is it to OHL?

Massive step up with a couple leagues in between.

 

[ODAAT]

How much of a step up from his league is it to OHL?

huge, college he`s up against young men 22-24 yrs old, OHL or CHL in general, 16-20 yrs old

 

[KnightofBoston]

huge, college he`s up against young men 22-24 yrs old, OHL or CHL in general, 16-20 yrs old

Sorry i meant where he was before college to OHL, as in if he played in the same league as green tree each year instead of going from where he was to BC

 

[KnightofBoston]

I highly doubt Letourneau would have put up 20 goals his first year if he played in the OHL. You are sadly underestimating the strength and skill level of the league. Conner McDavid possibly the best player on the planet scored 25 goals and 41 assist his first year in the OHL. That is high for any first year player.

I was imaging what he would have put up if he went to OHL after his 24 season instead of going to BX

 

[ODAAT]

 

[bobber]

I doubt hes the next sam Bennett. Those are big shoes to fill.

Not many are or will be the next Sam Bennett. Still Brady Martin has stood out on the Soo Greyhounds as a leader. Even as a rookie he fit in right off the bat. I believe he played for the Jr.B Elmira Sugar Kings for a part or a whole season and was one of the best players there also. The Soo is in a rebuild of sorts this past season and he still stood out. Most impactful player on the team. Who knows what direction the Bruins scouts and their fearless leader will take? I imagine they will take the best player available off their list. Or at least the one they think is best.

 

[False Start]

Yup the hockey Gods are giving the Bruins a sign

Eklund is being served up on a platter to replace Brad Marchand

I can see similar career minus Brad’s on-ice Tomfoolery

I see a lot of Bratt and Aho in playing style,

 

[yazmybaby]

How much of a step up from his league is it to OHL?

Its a significant step.
Dean played against High School kids Under 18 AAA players.
To compare, Ron Francis played in the same league albeit many years ago and scored 149 points in 45 games ( Dean scored 127 points in 56 games).
Francis went on to score 69 points in 64 OHL games the following season and was drafted #4 overall.
He went from scoring 3 points per game to one point per game.
I would hope Dean can score at least .5 pts PPG this season.

 

[DKH]

I see a lot of Bratt and Aho in playing style,

Yeh a Bratt who’s more physical is where I’m landing

 

[Dr Quincy]

Letourneau would have racked up points in the USHL or OHL IMO, I wouldn't stress about it

Would he? I mean, I'm sure he'd put up some numbers, but I don't think he'd be near the top of the OHL in pts or anything. Put it this way: If Greentree was on BC would he have scored a goal?

 

[Dr Quincy]

Different line mates, more ice time.

Why do you think he was played more by the coach? I don't think this is really the defense of Letourneau that you think it is.

The best defense is: Letourneau is a long term project and is going to be behind many 1st and even 2nd rd picks right now, but in 3 or so years he may be better.

 

[Dr Quincy]

“WHY DOES SWEENEY ALWAYS DRAFT SMALL GUYS”

*drafts 6’5” skilled center who put up 60 goals and over 100 points in a league comparable to OHL*

“WHY IS SWEENEY ALWAYS REACHING!!!”

That isn't remotely true.

The OHL probably has more players taken in the 1st rd than any other feeder league in the world.

Tell me the last time before Letourneau that a guy was drafted out of that league in the 1st?

I

 

[LJReborn]

Would he? I mean, I'm sure he'd put up some numbers, but I don't think he'd be near the top of the OHL in pts or anything. Put it this way: If Greentree was on BC would he have scored a goal?

Greentree had 60 games of OHL experience when he was drafted, Letourneau played at St Andrew's. Not excusing him not scoring, but nobody would be overly concerned IMO if he played CHL or USHL instead of a top college hockey program with ages ranging from 17-23/24 and not all players 20 and under (Windsor roster)

 

[bobber]

19Its a significant step.
Dean played against High School kids Under 18 AAA players.
To compare, Ron Francis played in the same league albeit many years ago and scored 149 points in 45 games ( Dean scored 127 points in 56 games).
Francis went on to score 69 points in 64 OHL games the following season and was drafted #4 overall.
He went from scoring 3 points per game to one point per game.
I would hope Dean can score at least .5 pts PPG this season.

Another measuring stick is Team Canada. Mostly made up of 18-19 year olds. Mostly all from the CHL. They play exhibition games once in a while against Canadian University players that are up to 24 years old that probably played in the past in the CHL. Some NHL drafted. Team Canada beats these players in competition even though they are younger.

 

[DominicT]

That isn't remotely true.

The OHL probably has more players taken in the 1st rd than any other feeder league in the world.

Tell me the last time before Letourneau that a guy was drafted out of that league in the 1st?

I

First round out of that league? Probably never. Best comp I know of is Warren Foegele (not as a player but situation). Had 58 goals and 107 points and was drafted 67th by LA in 2024.

Foegele also made the jump straight to the NCAA. Had 5 goals and 11 assists in 34 games. The following season he had zero goals and 1 assist in 5 games and decided the best thing for him was to go back to the OHL and he joined the Kingston Frontenacs.

Most players spend one year at St Andrew's and then make the jump to the OHL for their draft year. Letourneau decided to stay the extra year. Why? You'd have to ask him.

 

[What The Puck]

For some reason people are only seeing "leader, thumper, gritty" and not seeing the tangible things like skating questions and not great hockey sense.

Oh, we see it. Plenty of people are sounding the alarm not to take another "big physical guy" with your seventh overall first round pick.

Haven't heard any other "dinner reservation" announcements besides Martin.

 

[Kegs]

Leterneau reminds me of Joe Colborne. I’ll leave it at that

A better skating, taller version with softer hands.

“WHY DOES SWEENEY ALWAYS DRAFT SMALL GUYS”

*drafts 6’5” skilled center who put up 60 goals and over 100 points in a league comparable to OHL*

“WHY IS SWEENEY ALWAYS REACHING!!!”

to be fair it’s just different ppls opinions that conflict with each other.

 

[BronxBruin]

And why are we talking about Dean Letourneau in the 2025 draft thread? I could have sworn there was a whole thread dedicated to talking about him.

 

[KnightofBoston]

A better skating, taller version with softer hands

to be fair it’s just different ppls opinions that conflict with each other.

That’s actually a pretty good point, but I’ve been on this board a long time and there’s plenty of cases where people’s own opinions conflicting with other opinions they share later


Personally, I would have taken Greentree, but…Dean put up serious numbers in his league and has the natural size and skills that would attract any GM

It’s not like he’s a guy that’s just big and gets by because he’s big, but the same old story of “skating needs work, doesn’t have great offensive IQ, not the softest hands”

He’s got all of that.

I’ll enjoy seeing how he does this year in his second season. If it works out for him he’ll be more ready for the NHL than a guy coming straight out of the OHL

 

[KnightofBoston]

That isn't remotely true.

The OHL probably has more players taken in the 1st rd than any other feeder league in the world.

Tell me the last time before Letourneau that a guy was drafted out of that league in the 1st?

I

I had questions about that, I educated myself and realized OHL goes up to 20 where as where Dean came from only goes up to 18

So, certainly a skill and strength gap but I’m sure there is overlap and some comparisons can be made

Like I said in my other post if I was in the drivers seat I pick greentree, but it’s not crazy to take a guy with dean’s toolbox. Probably not wisest when you need centers now, but it seems like Sweeney really feels he can build that position in free agency and through trades

 

[Kegs]

That’s actually a pretty good point, but I’ve been on this board a long time and there’s plenty of cases where people’s own opinions conflicting with other opinions they share later


Personally, I would have taken Greentree, but…Dean put up serious numbers in his league and has the natural size and skills that would attract any GM

It’s not like he’s a guy that’s just big and gets by because he’s big, but the same old story of “skating needs work, doesn’t have great offensive IQ, not the softest hands”

He’s got all of that.

I’ll enjoy seeing how he does this year in his second season. If it works out for him he’ll be more ready for the NHL than a guy coming straight out of the OHL

Bruins need centres. Remember Savard, Bergeron, krecji up the middle? That team was a wagon.