{"id":89983,"date":"2025-07-25T00:23:15","date_gmt":"2025-07-25T00:23:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/89983\/"},"modified":"2025-07-25T00:23:15","modified_gmt":"2025-07-25T00:23:15","slug":"ranking-bruins-prospects-10-1-hagens-headlines-stronger-pipeline","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/89983\/","title":{"rendered":"Ranking Bruins prospects 10-1: Hagens headlines stronger pipeline"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBruins\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\tThe addition of a blue-chip talent like James Hagens is a welcome sight for the Bruins in 2025.<\/p>\n

\"James
\n\tA potential top-line center in James Hagens is a welcome sight for the Bruins. Ken McGagh for The Boston Globe\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBy Conor Ryan<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJuly 24, 2025 | 6:14 PM\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

12 minutes to read<\/p>\n

The Boston Bruins\u2019 once-dormant prospect pipeline is starting to show signs of life.\u00a0<\/p>\n

With Boston selling off several NHL assets at the trade deadline in March for future returns \u2014 coupled with a promising draft haul in 2025 \u2014 the Bruins\u2019 pool of young talent is the deepest it\u2019s been in quite some time.<\/p>\n

Now that 2025 Development Camp has wrapped, here\u2019s our annual ranking of the top 20 prospects in the Bruins\u2019 system.<\/p>\n

To narrow down on some of the candidates in this ranking, we\u2019re excluding prospects who have already logged at least 15 games with the Bruins, like Matthew Poitras and Michael Callahan.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re also excluding free-agent signings this offseason who could be poised for a greater role in 2025-26, like AHL standouts Matej Blumel and Alex Steeves.<\/p>\n

After rolling through No. 20-11 on Wednesday<\/a>, here\u2019s our top-10 list of the top Bruins\u2019 youngsters to keep tabs on.<\/p>\n

10. Chris Pelosi, F<\/p>\n

One of the more unheralded prospects in the system, Pelosi was arguably one of the top underclassmen in all of college hockey down the stretch in 2024-25.<\/p>\n

After a slow start with the Bobcats, Pelosi recorded 19 points (11 goals, eight assists) over his final 23 games, closing out the 2024-25 campaign with 24 total points.<\/p>\n

A 2023 third-round pick, Pelosi also made a strong case for himself at the USA Hockey\u2019s training camp for the 2025 World Championships, ending as one of the final cuts for a team that eventually won back-to-back Gold Medals.<\/p>\n

Pelosi was largely considered a high-floor prospect with pro potential given his physical play and steady two-way game.<\/p>\n

But, if he can prove that his second-half surge was no fluke, Pelosi could eventually project as more of a two-way regular in a middle-six role.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cHe put on a solid 10 pounds last year,\u201d Bruins amateur and college scout Parker MacKay said of Pelosi earlier this summer. \u201cQuinnipiac did a great job last year.\u00a0 I think he respects both ends of the ice, and you can see that out there. He\u2019s taking pucks to hard areas, and he also values his defending, and that\u2019s certainly the pieces of his game that we value.\u201d<\/p>\n

9. Frederic Brunet, D<\/p>\n

With Boston placing a premium on centers and high-skilled forwards in the last few drafts, it should come as little surprise that Boston\u2019s crop of blue-line prospects have been whittled down a bit over the last few years.<\/p>\n

But, an offensive-minded D-man in Brunet is a player worth monitoring moving forward, especially after earning a cup of coffee with Boston in the team\u2019s regular-season finale in April.<\/p>\n

Brunet has some size at 6-foot-3, but his calling card is his playmaking capabilities. \u00a0<\/p>\n

The 21-year-old defenseman seemingly put it all together this past season with Providence, playing heavy minutes while also scoring five goals and 25 points over 69 games.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He\u2019s not as offensively focused as a D-man like Mason Lohrei, but Brunet is at his best when moving the puck with authority.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Brunet needs a bit more seasoning at the AHL level, but the Quebec product is likely going to be the first blueliner called up when the injury bug inevitably starts stinging Boston\u2019s roster in the coming months.<\/p>\n

8. Georgii Merkulov, F<\/p>\n

This feels like make-or-break time for the 24-year-old Merkulov.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Signed as a college free agent in April 2022 after just one season at Ohio State, Merkulov has long held court as a productive player in the AHL ranks.<\/p>\n

In 201 career games with the Providence Bruins, Merkulov has scored 70 goals and 179 points \u2014 serving as one of Ryan Mougenel\u2019s most effective top-six talents over the last few years.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Even though the Russian forward isn\u2019t the most imposing figure at 5-foot-11 and 183 pounds, Merkulov has regularly shredded AHL defenses by way of a sharp one-time shot and soft hands.\u00a0<\/p>\n

There\u2019s no doubting that Merkulov is already a standout AHL talent. The question now is whether or not his skillset can properly translate to the NHL level.<\/p>\n

Even if Merkulov\u2019s shot and sharp hockey IQ would seemingly allow him to chip in offensively at hockey\u2019s highest level, he\u2019s only recorded a single point through 10 games with the Bruins across two seasons. <\/p>\n

Despite the clear talent with the puck on his stick, Merkulov\u2019s speed and processing ability has often been a touch behind at an NHL pace \u2014 leading to several quality looks, but little in terms of tangible results.<\/p>\n

Merkulov re-upped in Boston on a one-year contract this offseason. But if he doesn\u2019t make the team out of camp, he\u2019ll have to clear waivers before getting sent back down to Providence.\u00a0<\/p>\n

7. Dean Letourneau, F<\/p>\n

On paper, a prospect like Letourneau checks off all of the boxes of the type of talent the Bruins should covet.\u00a0<\/p>\n

A center? Check.<\/p>\n

A 6-foot-7 frame? Check.<\/p>\n

Add in the video-game-like stats he compiled against prep competition at St. Andrew\u2019s College in 2023-24 (61 goals and 127 points across 56 games), and it should come as little surprise that a Bruins team desperate for high-end talent down the middle rolled the dice on Letourneau with the No. 25 pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.<\/p>\n

But, after initially drawing comparisons to a fellow 6-foot-7 scoring center in Tage Thompson, Letourneau validated his standing as a \u201cproject\u201d by struggling mightily in his first season at Boston College. The then 18-year-old forward didn\u2019t score a goal over 36 games with the Eagles in 2024-25 and finished with just three assists.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In hindsight, the decision to accelerate Letourneau from the prep level to Hockey East competition in one season was a misstep, as the young forward could have benefited from a year in the USHL before making the jump to college.\u00a0<\/p>\n

But, despite his lackluster production, Letourneau has said and done all the right things this offseason as he tries to put together a bounce-back season.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cHe honestly handled it really well,\u201d Bruins player development coordinator Adam McQuaid said of Letourneau during Development Camp. \u201cThere were days of disappointment where he felt like he could and wanted to impact more. We were preaching smaller details like protecting pucks and being physical, and he started to get a little bit of time on the penalty kill. He got much better with his stick \u2014 just little details.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe took all that in stride but was still like, \u2018I wanna do more, I wanna impact more. I believe I can do more.\u2019 Those are all positive things. At the end of the year, he was like, \u2018I\u2019m going back to BC. I\u2019m going to compete for a spot.\u2019 Nothing\u2019s going to be given to you. He knows that, and it says a lot about him.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

The 2025-26 season will be critical for Letourneau if he wants to reassert himself as a top prospect in Boston\u2019s system. He has strong puck skills for a player at his size, but he needs to utilize that 6-foot-7 frame a lot more if he wants that natural talent to take over in Grade-A ice.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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This video gives you an idea of what Dean Letourneau can be. Uses his reach to win a puck battle, soft hands to maneuver through a defender, and makes a high-danger pass that finds its way to the back of the net #NHLBruins<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/URVOQhV1wb<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Bruins Breakdown (@TCalauttis) July 3, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

6. William Moore, C<\/p>\n

Yet another Boston College forward, Moore stands as a potential middle-six regular at the next level if his steady two-way game continues to mature.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The No. 51 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, Moore ranked second on the U.S. National Team Development Program U-18 Team with 59 points (27 goals, 32 assists) in 64 games this past season.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Moore was projected to be a potential late first round or early second-round selection in this draft, with the consolidated rankings compiled by Elite Prospects<\/a> listing the forward as the No. 34 pick in this draft class.<\/p>\n

A lot of that high draft standing rests in his versatile skillset, as the 6-foot-3 forward can play the body, win faceoffs, and has a strong defensive foundation to his game drawn from his sharp hockey IQ.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The primary question for Moore is whether or not his offensive talents can continue to evolve as he braces himself for tougher competition in the years ahead. <\/p>\n

If Moore\u2019s scoring capacities plateau, he could project as a Swiss Army Knife on a third line in the years ahead. But, if he can stuff the stat sheet at Chesnut Hill and become a 50-point NHLer, he has the makings of a very useful 2C at the pro level.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Something that stands out about Will Moore is his tendency to make plays off the forecheck. Moore, No. 14 in white, wins the race and puck off the forecheck. First pass attempt didn\u2019t work out, but he got it back, skated out and fed a high-danger pass into the crease. #NHLBruins<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/NfntcUb66y<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Bruins Network (@BruinsNetwork) July 7, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

5. Will Zellers, F<\/p>\n

One of the top prizes secured by Boston via their trade-deadline fire sale in March, Zellers has been a welcome addition to the Bruins\u2019 pipeline as a potential middle-six scoring winger.<\/p>\n

The 2024 third-round pick (originally selected by Colorado) had a standout season with the Green Bay Gamblers in the USHL, earning USHL Player of the Year honors after scoring 44 goals and 71 points across 52 games with the Green Bay Gamblers.<\/p>\n

Zellers is not the most imposing presence on the ice at 5-foot-10 and 175 pounds. But, as evidenced by his play at Development Camp, Zellers is a smart offensive winger who generates scoring chances by operating in high-danger ice, finding soft areas and changing the angle of his shots rather than just peppering the net.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Minnesota native \u2014 who said he models his game after a fellow undersized scoring winger in Jake Gunetzel \u2014 is set to continue his hockey career at the University of North Dakota in 2025-26. If Zellers can continue to light the lamp with regularity as a freshman at Grand Forks, his stock is going to soar within Boston\u2019s system.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can tell right away that he\u2019s just fitting right into the group,\u201d McQuaid said of Zellers during Development Camp. \u201cJust on the ice \u2014 his natural instinct for scoring? He doesn\u2019t need many opportunities, and he capitalizes on them. I think he\u2019s driven that way.\u201d<\/p>\n

4. Dans Locmelis, C<\/p>\n

No Bruins prospect has seen their stock rise as much as Locmelis over the last few months.<\/p>\n

A 2022 fourth-round pick by the Bruins, Locmelis initially projected as a potential two-way, fourth-line player if he carved out a role in the NHL ranks.<\/p>\n

But after scoring 14 points over 30 games as a freshman at UMass in 2023-24, the Latvian-born forward broke through with 33 points (eight goals, 25 assists) over 40 games with the Minutemen this past season.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He then signed his entry-level deal with the Bruins, joining the Providence Bruins in the spring and recording a whopping 12 points (three goals, nine assists) over just six games with the P-Bruins.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Beyond that surge in offensive production at the AHL level, Locmelis closed out his busy year representing Latvia at the IIHF World Championships \u2014 where he scored four goals and six points over seven games.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Locmelis\u2019 play against proven NHLers during Worlds apparently caught the eye of Team Canada captain Sidney Crosby, who complimented the 21-year-old forward\u2019s game during the international tournament.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

A cerebral centerman whose game seemingly thrives at the higher pace found at the pro level, Locmelis could be in line for a featured role with Providence full-time in 2025-26. But, it also wouldn\u2019t come as a shock if the former UMass product makes a push for NHL reps at this some point this season.<\/p>\n

3. Fabian Lysell, RW<\/p>\n

When Lysell is on his game, it\u2019s easy to see why the Bruins selected him 21st overall in the 2021 NHL Draft,\u00a0and why the Swedish winger is still routinely mentioned as a potential contributor for Boston ahead of every training camp.<\/p>\n

Lysell\u2019s skating ability is elite, with the winger at his best when he\u2019s aggressively driving to the net or using that 0-to-60 accelerate to win foot races and set up his teammates in the offensive zone. <\/p>\n

He still has plenty of work to do defensively, but when Lysell is assertive and operating with plenty of confidence, things happen offensively when he has the puck on his stick.<\/p>\n

Lysell has problems maintaining that aggressiveness and confidence night in and night out. He had some encouraging spurts over his 12 games with Boston in 2024-25, but still went through some extended lulls en route to just one goal and three points over that stretch.<\/p>\n

On a Bruins forward corps severely lacking in terms of high-end talent, Lysell should have every opportunity to try and win a middle-six spot on the 2025-26 roster out of camp.\u00a0<\/p>\n

But after a lackluster camp last fall, Lysell needs prove that some of the flashes he showcased in April can become a regular sight whenever he hops over the boards.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The case can be made that the Bruins haven\u2019t given Lysell an extended run over the last few seasons. But, the onus also falls on Lysell to prove to Boston that his days in the AHL are over.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

2. Fraser Minten, C<\/p>\n

Minten doesn\u2019t have the offensive upside of a Matt Poitras, nor does he wield the same high-end skill found in Lysell\u2019s game. <\/p>\n

But, as the Bruins try to plug in younger players who can settle into established roles moving forward, a smart, two-way centerman like Minten has all the makings of a long-term fixture at 3C for Boston.<\/p>\n

A former Toronto second-round pick who was plucked up by Boston in the Brandon Carlo trade, Minten is a jack-of-all trades pivot who has drawn high marks for his defensive acumen, hockey smarts, faceoff work, and off-ice intangibles. <\/p>\n

In some respects, Minten mimics a player like Charlie Coyle, whose realistic offensive output during most seasons usually hovered around 40 points.<\/p>\n

But, if kept in place as a third-line pivot, Coyle (and Minten, by extension) offered tons of value to his team by playing heavy minutes in all situations, winning key draws, and doing the little things to help his team win as a reliable lineup fixture.<\/p>\n

If the 2025-26 season ends up being a bridge year for the Bruins, one welcome silver lining would be if Minten can leapfrog the several other players currently fighting for bottom-six reps and solidify his spot as Boston\u2019s 3C of the future. <\/p>\n

1. James Hagens, C<\/p>\n

The new crown jewel of Boston\u2019s prospect pipeline, Hagens represents what the Bruins have been searching for over the past decade: a potential top-line center. <\/p>\n

Long regarded as the No. 1 prospect in the 2025 NHL Draft class, Hagens dropped all the way to No. 7 on draft night due to concerns over his smaller frame (5-foot-11, 190 pounds) and what was considered an \u201cunderwhelming\u201d freshman season at Boston College where he was a point-per-game talent (37 points in 37 games) as a 17-going-on-18-year-old skater.<\/p>\n

\n

The #NHLBruins<\/a> select James Hagens with the 7th overall pick <\/p>\n

Hagens is smaller in stature (5\u201910\u201d) but is heavy for his size (185Lbs)<\/p>\n

One of the most skilled players in the draft scoring 37 points in 37 Games this season at BC<\/p>\n

He tallied 102 points in 58 games w USU18 in 2024 pic.twitter.com\/EQQtHrLYMP<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Michael Sullivan (@_MikeSullivan) June 28, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

There are some warts in Hagens game that will have to be ironed out, most likely as a sophomore with the Eagles.<\/p>\n

But Hagens\u2019 skill and competitiveness is easy to glean \u2014 be it through watching game tape or following along with him during Development Camp. <\/p>\n

He might have some growing pains at the pro level when it comes to fighting for inside ice, but Hagens\u2019 elite edge work and puck skills make him the type of player who will consistently generate chances with the puck on his stick.<\/p>\n

Hagens may not be a legitimate franchise player like Jack Hughes, but he boasts plenty of similarities to other smaller, playmaking talents like Logan Cooley and Clayton Keller \u2014 both of whom are top-line fixtures on their respective teams. <\/p>\n

After several years, the Bruins finally have a true blue-chip talent marinating in their organization. <\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s been that way his whole life \u2014 in terms of what he\u2019s done,\u201d Don Sweeney said of Hagens\u2019 reputation as an impact player. \u201cSo we just hope the natural progression is you\u2019ll be able to do at the NHL level.\u00a0 \u201cAgain, it\u2019s a tough league.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou find that out when you get in. You realize that you\u2019re in a much deeper pool of players and he\u2019ll have his own challenges. But I think he\u2019s driven to be that top player and wants to be a difference maker.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s our full rankings:<\/p>\n