With the Bruins picking five times on Wednesday, here’s a few quick reactions from Boston’s selections in Rounds 2-7 of the 2020 NHL Draft.
Round 2, No. 58 overall – Mason Lohrei, D
With their first pick of the 2020 NHL Draft, the Bruins opted for a defenseman in Lohrei that ... well, wasn't exactly on many watchlists — at least this high up in the draft. Lohrei, 19, is a big body on the blue line — currently measuring out at 6-foot-4 and 200 pounds — but he has flashed some serious playmaking potential in his young hockey career.
The left-shot D played this past season with the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL, where he recorded 37 points (8 goals, 29 assists) over 48 games played. He is expected to return to Green Bay for the 2020-21 season before moving on to Ohio State for the 2021-22 campaign.
All things considered, Lohrei's selection in the second round is certainly a surprise, as NHL Central Scouting tabbed him 132nd among North American skaters in their pre-draft rankings, while The Athletic tabbed him as going in the seventh round in their last mock draft. Lohrei, who was draft-eligible last season, acknowledged that he has flown under the radar so far in his career, only earning a spot on the Central Scouting's watch list during their final rankings ahead of the draft.
Steve Kournianos, who puts together fantastic scouting reports over at The Draft Analyst, offered some insight on Lohrei's game — noting that the defenseman has a high ceiling given his blend of size and ability to contribute on offense.
https://twitter.com/TheDraftAnalyst/status/1313895949434081281
"I’d consider myself a two-way defenseman, pretty skilled," Lohrei said. "I take a lot of pride in how I defend, how I defend the rush, how I defend in my own zone, shutting things down and making good breakout passes to the forwards. But then once that happens, then the fun stuff begins. I get to jump up in the play and get pucks back. Use my skill and then I see myself as – I can play in all situations. Five-on-five, power play, penalty kill, stuff like that. Start games, finish games. I think I’m just a pretty simple player overall. I like to try to control the game when I’m out there, and when I have the puck."
"When you talk to coaches about Kuntar, they say his teammates hate playing against him in practice - he plays such a hard and determined game," NHL Central Scouting's Greg Rajanen said. "Really good in the battle areas, and wins races to pucks with competitive speed."
"I’m a hard-working player. I love to compete," Kuntar added when asked to size up his own game. "A two-way power forward, I love to compete every night. I’d say someone I compare myself too is either Jamie Benn or Mathew Tkachuk.
Much like Lohrei, Kuntar might carry the label as a late bloomer in this pool of 2020 prospects, as the forward was eligible for the 2019 NHL Draft but was not selected. The 6-foot, 203-pound forward was placed No. 143 overall among North American skaters in the NHL Central Scouting's final ranking ahead of the 2020 Draft, while Craig Button tabbed him at No. 83 overall on his TSN draft board.
"Langenbrunner has a lot of raw ability and does everything well, "Rajanen said. "He elevated his game at the Minnesota High School Tournament - a solid, two-way defenseman that doesn't try to do too much. He plays the game the right way - a smart and positionally sound player."
Langenbrunner will need a few years to develop, but Kournianos noted in his latest scouting report that the young defenseman established himself as one of the top two-way blueliners in Minnesota during the 2019-20 season. Much like Lohrei, Langenbrunner should benefit from developing through the NCAA route, especially with added off-ice work allowing him to add on some good muscle before advancing to the NHL ranks down the road.
"Duran is a good-sized kid that thinks and processes the game well," NHL Central Scouting's Dave Gregory said. "He's dangerous on the attack and has a great release. He battles and moves well in tight spaces. Has a complete package of skills and a lot of upside."
Duran, who tallied 22 goals and 44 points over 27 games with Lawrence Academy in 2019-20, is expected to play for the Youngstown Phantoms (USHL) for the 2020-21 season before moving on to Providence College in 2021-22.
Round 7, No. 213 overall — TRADE