Ranking the Top 20 Bruins prospects (20-11): No shortage of Hockey East representation in Boston's cupboard

The NHL Draft and Bruins development camp are firmly in the rearview mirror as the offseason trudges on and the league drifts into relative quiet. Still, around Boston, the B's still have to take care of contracts for Jeremy Swayman and Trent Frederic in addition to the much-anticipated decisions that loom over Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci. 

With that, it's time to get into our Top 20 ranking of the Bruins' prospect pool, starting with 20-11 as well as some honorable mentions. I'm also considering Jakub Lauko a "graduate" because of his NHL experience last season as well as the expectation that he carves out a full-time role with the big club next season. 

Although still one of the weaker cupboards across the board, ranked No. 30 by The Athletic and Elite Prospects as well as No. 29 by Dobber Prospects, Boston has been able to find prospects with decent upside and potential in the middle and later rounds of recent drafts. 

Let's take a look at the start of the Top 20 rankings:

Honorable mentions: Ryan Walsh, Chris Pelosi, Jackson Edward, Cole Spicer, Reilly Walsh

I was impressed with Ryan Walsh and Pelosi, two of Boston's picks in 2023, at development camp. Walsh, coming off a productive over-age year inn the USHL, has a strong shot and competes hard. Interested to see how he handles the transition to Cornell and if he can keep pace as he advances. Pelosi, like Walsh, has a good motor and an impressive shot. I'd expect better production as an 18-year-old with a full USHL season this year. 

Reilly Walsh, meanwhile, has plenty of offensive upside and mobility on the backend, at least at the AHL level. The Harvard product is already 24, though. 

Edward's offensive upside is definitely limited, but he is a hard, physical defender. The 2022 seventh round pick plays above his 6-foot-2, 194-pound frame and wasn't afraid to get into it in some battles with Fabian Lysell during 3-on-3s once Lysell was fully cleared. Had 110 penalty minutes in the OHL. 

Spicer, a 2022 fourth rounder, was really intriguing heading into his freshman year at Minnesota Duluth last season but only had six points (3g, 3a) in a lower role in the lineup. Perhaps he gets more opportunity as a sophomore. 

20. Jonathan Myrenberg - RD

Age: 20
Height/Weight: 6-3, 193 
Drafted: 2021 Round 5 (140th overall; Vancouver)
2022-23 Stats: Sweden (HockeyAllsvenskan), 49 games – 4 goals, 8 assists 
2023-24 Team: Linköping HC (SHL)

Myrenberg was part of the return in the Jack Studnicka trade with Vancouver at the start of last season. He wasn't as productive in HockeyAllsvenskan last season as he had been at the Swedish J20 level in 2021-22, but there is still decent upside there with his two-way game. He skates well, and I thought he was one of the more steady defenders at development camp. 

He'll play a full season in the SHL, Sweden's top professional league, next season. It will be an important year for the 20-year-old before he ideally makes the jump to North America. Even if the Bruins also got Michael DiPietro in the trade with the Canucks, Myrenberg appeared to be the prize of the deal at the time. He was one of Vancouver's better prospects on the blue line. 

19. Oskar Jellvik - LW

Age: 20
Height/Weight: 5-10, 181
Drafted: 2021 Round 5 (149th overall)
2022-23 Stats: NCAA (Hockey East), 34 games – 4 goals, 13 assists
2023-24 Team: Boston College (NCAA - Hockey East)

Jellvik is a crafty playmaker. Noticed him quite a bit during the 3-on-3 and 5-on-5 portions of the Friday scrimmages at development camp. Undersized, the Swede is shifty but definitely a pass-first player. He sees the ice well and isn't afraid to go to the high-danger areas, even with his smaller frame. Made a couple of mesmerizing passes and plays during camp. Playing with Andre Gasseau and Trevor Kuntar this season at Boston College, Jellvik could have had a more productive year if not for a 10-game stretch that saw him put up one point to start the second semester in 2023. 

He has the chance to play a big role with the Eagles and their loaded incoming freshman class this year. Even with the forward group becoming even more crowded in Chestnut Hill, I'd still expect Jellvik to have top-six and special teams opportunities, and he should have an uptick in production. Like a lot of other prospects in the system, like Matthew Poitras and Fabian Lysell, the Bruins would probably want to see Jellvik use his shot more. 

18. Philip Svedebäck - G

Age: 21
Height/Weight: 6-4, 209
Drafted: 2021 Round 4 (117th overall)
2022-23 Stats: NCAA (Hockey East), 34 games – 14-11-7, .909 save percentage, 2.18 GAA, 1 shutout
2023-24 Team: Providence College (NCAA - Hockey East)

After a solid season in the USHL, Svedebäck showed more promise as the starter in his freshman year at Providence College. He came on strong at the start of the year, earning Hockey East Goaltender of the Week honors just his second week in college. After the strong first impression, Svedebäck plateaued a little bit, as did the rest of the Friars. Still, that's not totally unexpected for a freshman thrown right into the fire. He ended the season on a high note, allowing two or fewer goals in six straight games to close out the year before PC bowed out to Boston University in the Hockey East semifinals. 

There's no rushing Svedebäck, at all, considering how stable the B's goalie pipeline already is with Linus Ullmark, Jeremy Swayman, Brandon Bussi and even Kyle Keyser. Still, his frame and athletic ability make him a fun prospect to watch. Interested to see how he does with another year of technical development during his sophomore campaign at Providence. 

17. Ryan Mast - RD

Age: 20
Height/Weight: 6-5, 215
Drafted: 2021 Round 6 (181st overall)
2022-23 Stats: OHL, 51 games – 8 goals, 22 assists
2023-24 Team: Providence Bruins (AHL)

Mast is really intriguing, considering how well he can skate and move with his size, which lends to his impressive ability to defend in transition. He was a productive blue-liner in the OHL, while still being reliable in his own end. He's not as physical as you'd expect for someone with his size, but the frame and reach, coupled with the mobility and offensive instincts, helped him have a good showing at development camp. 

Likely headed for the AHL with Providence this season, he'll have to regularly show he deserves a spot in the lineup. I wonder how much offensive upside there is at the professional level after back-to-back 22-assist, 30-point seasons in junior. 

16. Beckett Hendrickson - C/LW

Age: 18
Height/Weight: 6-2, 174
Drafted: 2023 Round 4 (124th overall)
2022-23 Stats: USHL, 21 games – 7 goals, 9 assists; NTDP, 52 games – 13 goals, 21 assists
2023-24 Team: Sioux Falls (USHL)

Hendrickson perhaps has the highest upside of any player Boston took in the 2023 draft. He could have gone in the third round, or maybe even snuck into the latter half of the second. His production in a lower role with a loaded team with the U.S. development program is encouraging, too.  

The youngster is a highly-intelligent player who can make plays and get the puck to the high-danger areas. After seeing him in camp against some of his stronger peers, he definitely needs to add weight and muscle. This upcoming season in the USHL should help him along in terms of physicality. He'll play in Sioux Falls alongside Pelosi. 

From Elite Prospects pre-draft guide:

Hendrickson exhibits a combination of passing skill and lane creation in all three zones. He hooks pucks around sticks, slips them under, and sauces them over sticks with no wind-up, even off the backhand. But he doesn’t just take open lanes; he creates them with multiple layers of deception. He slows down and angles away from his eventual target, baiting the defender. The second they pivot or reach, he passes.

15. Ty Gallagher - RD

Age: 20
Height/Weight: 6-0, 187
Drafted: 2021 Round 7 (217th overall)
2022-23 Stats: NCAA (Hockey East), 40 games – 3 goals, 18 assists
2023-24 Team: Boston University (NCAA - Hockey East)

Gallagher has been impressive for a seventh round pick, even going back to his freshman year at BU. He's consistently played a top-four role for the Terriers with a partner, Dom Fensore (Carolina), who can act as a bit of a fourth forward at times. Although his goal output dipped a little as a sophomore, he upped his overall points total by five. He may never be the same type of scoring threat he was with the USNTDP, but he sees the offensive side well enough to make an impact. 

I've never noticed Gallagher for the wrong reasons. He just seems steady all around. He skates well and can jumpstart a breakout or move the puck himself in transition just fine. Has the ability to quarterback a power play and play penalty kill. He should take on an even bigger role on and off the ice as a junior at BU this season. 

From my development camp takeaways:

On Gallagher... he was one of the smaller members of the defense group this week, but once again had a good showing. ... Might not 'Wow' you with anything, but still does a lot of things well. ... Defends and competes hard, has good offensive senses and a good shot. 

14. Trevor Kuntar - C

Age: 22
Height/Weight: 6-0, 195
Drafted: 2020 Round 3 (89th overall)
2022-23 Stats: NCAA (Hockey East), 34 games – 13 goals, 16 assists
2023-24 Team: Providence Bruins

Kuntar had his best collegiate season last year before signing his entry-level contract. He shoots the puck a ton, and rightfully so, given how lethal it can be. The left-hander has the ability to score from practically anywhere on the ice, whether in transition or standing still, and it showed with his 13 goals this season for BC. He doesn't have Andre Gasseau's size, but his tenacity make him thought to handle in the dirty areas of the ice.

Once a prolific scorer in the USHL, Kuntar will likely need a full year, at least, in Providence before he might make an impact in the NHL. With his physicality and shot, he could someday carve out a role as an energetic bottom-sixer. Would have liked to have seen him on the ice at development camp, but he's recovering from shoulder surgery. 

13. Andre Gasseau - C/RW

Age: 20
Height/Weight: 6-4, 215
Drafted: 2021 Round 7 (213th overall)
2022-23 Stats: NCAA (Hockey East), 36 games – 10 goals, 19 assists
2023-24 Team: Boston College

From one Eagle to yet another, Gasseau is one of the more exciting prospects in the system with his size and offensive prowess. The power forward stepped right into a top-six role with BC this season and excelled, finishing third among in points Eagles skaters. His production and consistency showed strong improvement as 2022-23 progressed, too. 

The behemoth is a ton to handle on the ice, especially in 1-on-1 battles, and he can be a miserable one-man wrecking crew along the boards and below the dots. His quick, heavy shot and ability to handle the puck in tight, even with his size, make him a scoring threat, especially in the slot and around the net. He does need to improve his skating, but like Jellvik, Gasseau should continue to impress as a sophomore, especially with the incoming crop of talent at BC. 

“They were putting him in those [top-six] minutes, he grabbed it and forced them to keep him there," Jamie Langenbrunner said of Gasseau during camp. "He’s shown the ability to make little plays with top-end players and continue to push that. The kids they got coming into BC, they’re going to have a lot of high-end guys, if he can complement that with his skill set, it’s good for us and for him.”

12. Riley Duran - C

Age: 21
Height/Weight: 6-2, 190
Drafted: 2020 Round 6 (182nd overall)
2022-23 Stats: NCAA (Hockey East), 29 games – 8 goals, 12 assists
2023-24 Team: Providence College

Duran has the type of floor where you can definitely see him carving out a long career as an effective bottom-six player if he cracks the NHL. He competes incredibly hard and his physicality and shot stand out. The Woburn native and Malden Catholic product dealt with some injuries during the season with the Friars, but still managed to finish fourth on the team in scoring, putting up 20 points in nine fewer games than it took for him to tally 19 as a freshman. His strength helped him stand out in battle drills and scrimmage situations during development camp.

As a junior this season, he should be in line to take on even more responsibility for Nate Leaman. Wouldn't be surprised to see him pack more of an offensive punch in 2023-24, especially if he can stay healthy. His defensive reliability, high motor and physical play make him a candidate to possibly turn pro following another season at the NCAA level.

11. Dans Locmelis - C

Age: 19
Height/Weight: 5-10, 175
Drafted: 2022 Round 4 (119th overall)
2022-23 Stats: Sweden (J20 Nationell), 44 games – 25 goals, 34 assists
2023-24 Team: UMass (NCAA - Hockey East)

Locmelis is another guy that could have a ton of upside, especially after the breakout season and monster numbers he had in his second season in the Swedish J20 league. The Latvian is slippery and has displayed great patience and shooting ability with the puck. Unafraid to get to Grade-A ice, even with his smaller frame. 

His experience at the World Championship for Latvia, where the had a three-point (two-goal) run in nine games with Latvia in their march to bronze in a milestone event for the nation, can only help.

He'll be a freshman at UMass this season and should have the opportunity to play meaningful minutes, but he'll definitely have to earn it under Greg Carvel. A few years with a collegiate-level training regimen and on-ice style will help him acclimate to a more physical North American game. Boston is excited to have him closer to home.

"He can shoot the puck. He's shifty, gets inside and plays in the interior, which on the big ice surface [in Europe] is a little easier," Danielle Marmer said. "That's what the adjustment is going to be for him when he gets to the college game."

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Bruins sign Walsh, Regula, DiPietro to two-way deals

Boston announced Monday that restricted free agents Reilly Walsh, Alec Regula and Michael DiPietro one-year, two-way contracts each with a $775,000 NHL cap hit. 

DiPietro came over from Vancouver with Myrenberg in the Studnicka trade last season. A former third round pick, the 24-year-old spent most of last season in the ECHL with the Maine Mariners, putting up a .918 save percentage and a 2.61 GAA in 29 appearances.

Regula, 22, came over from Chicago in the Taylor Hall and Nick Foligno deal. The former third rounder appeared in four NHL games in 2022-23. In 51 AHL games, the right-shot defenseman had five goals and 16 assists.

Boston acquired Walsh, also a right-handed defenseman, from the Devils in a swap that included Shane Bowers. Also a former third round pick, the 24-year-old  had nine goals and 32 assists in 71 AHL games in 2022-23.

Quickie thoughts...

• This leaves RFAs Jeremy Swayman and Trent Frederic as the remaining business left on Boston's docket this offseason. CapFriendly estimates the Bruins have approximately $5.4 million in cap space to play with.
• DiPietro is simply organizational depth. Brandon Bussi and Kyle Keyser appear to be the club favorites to hold the main tandem in Providence this season, although DiPietro should find himself in plenty of action, whether in the ECHL or AHL. Too bad to see how much his development has stunted over the past few years. Once one of the more decent goalie prospects out there. Still, goalies will forever be weird. Maybe it eventually clicks for him to become a late-bloomer.
• Regula shores up the depth chart on the right side. Like Ian Mitchell, I thought he could have been in line to compete for Connor Clifton's vacancy before Boston signed Kevin Shattenkirk. We'll likely see him as depth or an injury replacement in the NHL this season.
• Count Walsh among the same boat as Mitchell and Regula, although Walsh likely has the most offensive upside of the three. I'd tend to think he has the most upside in general, given how productive he's been in the AHL, but that doesn't always translate. I'd also suspect to see him as a call-up in some sort of capacity this season.