Boston Bruins Prospect Roundup: 2015 & 2016 Draft Update

When Don Sweeney took over as the general manager of the Boston Bruins, he made one thing clear; the prospect pool needed to be better. Fast forward a year and a half, and the Bruins look right on track. While prospects are never a sure thing, it looks as though the talent developing for the Bruins’ future could be as good a group as any.

While the Bruins may not have many bonafide defensive stars in their current NHL group, there are many Bruins prospects who project to potentially be top-four players. Some of those players are closer to debuting than others. In fact, Brandon Carlo is the perfect indication that prospects can develop quickly and immediately make an impact in the NHL. Even more interesting that Carlo’s ability to impress so quickly is the fact that he was a second round pick and so many teams passed on him.

More Than Meets the Eye

It’s easy to look at an NHL team and make assessments on a general manager based purely on the team’s production on the ice. What most people tend to leave out, however, comes in the form of prospect production. While Sweeney is still relatively new to the general manager position, he deserves the benefit of the doubt despite missing the playoffs last season and “failing” to acquire defensive help in the offseason outside of Carlo.

Why does he deserve the benefit of the doubt?

He’s earned that right because so many prospects that he’s drafted have impressed in the 2016-17 season and are looking like future Boston Bruins players. Whether they’re forwards, defensemen, or even goalies, Sweeney and his staff have done well so far at drafting and developing players, despite the sample size being so small. It’s also important to remember that producing at the NHL level is much different than producing in college, or in juniors, but still, it’s better for a prospect to produce at those levels than to simply burn out before getting their opportunity.

*All Statistics Compiled On Dec. 4, 2016.