The Boston Bruins are navigating unfamiliar territory this offseason. After finishing tied for last place in the Eastern Conference with the Philadelphia Flyers, they secured the seventh overall pick in Monday night’s NHL Draft Lottery. The New York Islanders shocked many by winning the top pick, leaving the Bruins with the lowest spot they could have landed. It’s just another reminder of the disappointing season they’ve had, even off the ice.
Drafting this high is not something Boston is accustomed to, and their track record with the draft has been questionable at best over the years. Despite this, they have an opportunity to make a significant impact in next month’s NHL Draft, and they can’t afford to miss with one of their most pressing needs.
The Boston Bruins must find a future center in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft
The Bruins have a chance to change their draft narrative with the seventh overall pick. They need to find a future center who can contribute right away. While free agency has been an option to address this need in the past, it hasn’t always panned out.
Currently, Matthew Poitras is a young center who is ready for the NHL, but injuries and roster issues have prevented him from playing a full season. Beyond him, the Bruins have questions about their young centers, and John Beecher is a restricted free agent (RFA) this summer, so it will be interesting to see how the team handles his contract situation.
It’s been four years since the Bruins selected Fabian Lysell at the 21st pick in the first round, and he still hasn’t found a solid role with the team. It wasn’t until last December that he made his NHL debut. Meanwhile, Wyatt Johnson, who was picked just two spots after Lysell, has excelled with the Dallas Stars. It’s easy to imagine how different things might be if the Bruins had picked him instead.
All of the Bruins’ past draft mistakes could be forgiven if Don Sweeney and his scouting team hit on this pick and select an impactful center. There’s no need to draft for another position or trade the pick—just focus on identifying the right player available at seventh overall. Failing to do so would be another missed opportunity for the Bruins this June.