Boston Bruins' Top 10 Prospects: Unlocking the Pipeline
The Boston Bruins are on a roll, and their once-barren prospect pool is finally filling up. With a strategic roster teardown and a well-stocked draft capital, the Bruins are poised to make a significant leap forward. As the team looks to build upon its current core, the focus now shifts to the young talent ready to make an impact in the NHL. Here's a deep dive into the top 10 prospects currently in Boston's system, each with their unique strengths and potential.
1. James Hagens, Forward
James Hagens, the seventh overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, is a playmaking forward with elite edge work and a pass-first approach. While he might start out on the wing, Hagens is at his best at center, consistently generating chances with the puck on his stick. His skill and upside are evident, and even with some expected growing pains as a rookie, Hagens is a tantalizing talent who will play a key role in Boston's reworked forward corps. In my opinion, Hagens has the potential to be a top-six fixture, and his development will be crucial to the Bruins' success in the upcoming season.
2. Dean Letourneau, Center
Dean Letourneau, a 6-foot-7 forward, was always going to be a long-term investment for the Bruins. After a dominant year at the prep level, Letourneau's trajectory took a hit when he accelerated a year ahead and arrived at Boston College. However, he rebounded strongly as a sophomore, scoring 22 goals and 39 total points in 36 games. Letourneau's silky mitts and sharp wrist shot, combined with his imposing frame and reach, make him a matchup nightmare in Hockey East. If he reaches his ceiling, Letourneau has the highest upside among Bruins prospects, and I believe he will be a key player in the team's future.
3. Will Zellers, Forward
Will Zellers, a shot-first, scoring winger with legitimate 25-goal upside, is one of the top prizes the Bruins acquired in their roster fire sale. The Minnesota native earned USHL Player of the Year honors after an impressive season with the Green Bay Gamblers. Zellers blends his heavy shot with a high motor and a creative approach in the offensive zone, and I believe he will carve out a regular role in Boston's middle-six in the next few years. His stock soared at the World Juniors, and I expect him to make a significant impact in the upcoming season.
4. Michael DiPietro, Goaltender
Michael DiPietro, a late bloomer, has little left to prove in the American Hockey League. The 27-year-old netminder was named the AHL's top goalie in each of his past two seasons with Providence, leading the league in wins, GAA, and save percentage. Don Sweeney, the Bruins' general manager, believes DiPietro has earned the opportunity to take the next step to the NHL. I agree, and I believe DiPietro will be a solid backup goaltender for the Bruins in the upcoming season.
5. Cooper Simpson, Forward
Cooper Simpson, a 19-year-old forward, dominated at Shakopee High School in Minnesota, scoring 49 goals and 83 points in 31 games. He ranked second in the USHL with 34 goals and 74 total points over 60 games in the 2025-26 season. Simpson has a blistering shot and the hands and anticipation to capitalize on rush chances and find soft spots in coverage. I expect Simpson to continue his impressive performance and make a significant impact in the upcoming season.
6. Dans Locmelis, Forward
Dans Locmelis, a Swiss Army Knife, has been productive at every stop of his young career. He has drawn high marks for his refined, 200-foot profile and ability to chip in on the scoresheet. Locmelis could be in line for some NHL reps at some point in 2026-27, and I believe he will continue to develop and build his game moving forward. If he continues to marinate and improve, Locmelis could develop into a trusty third-line forward.
7. Frederic Brunet, Defenseman
Frederic Brunet, a mobile D-man, has been knocking on the door for an NHL opportunity. He has scored 17 goals and 61 points over the last two seasons in Providence. Brunet is a playmaking defenseman with good size at 6-foot-3, and I believe he will make a push for the NHL later on this fall. If he has a strong training camp and preseason, Brunet could be an appealing candidate to pair with Charlie McAvoy.
8. Elliott Groenewold, Defenseman
Elliott Groenewold, a hard-nosed defender, took another major step forward as a sophomore last season, earning ECAC Best Defensive Defenseman and All-Conference First Team honors. The Vermont native led all of college hockey with a plus-39 rating, while also chipping in with seven goals and 20 points in 40 games. Groenewold is not expected to be an offensive conduit at the next level, but he could make a push for pro reps in short order as a dependable, left-shot option on the blue line.
9. Chris Pelosi, Forward
Chris Pelosi, a productive two-way forward, has been a standout for Quinnipiac in the collegiate ranks. Drafted in the third round of the 2023 NHL Draft, Pelosi followed up a strong end to his freshman campaign with an 18-goal, 34-point performance in the 2025-26 season. He generates chances by hounding pucks, forcing turnovers, and cashing in on miscues, while he’s also developed into a reliable special-teams option. If he continues to generate offense in the collegiate ranks, Pelosi projects to be a dependable bottom-six forward in the pro game.
10. Nils Bartholdsson, Forward
Nils Bartholdsson, a smaller forward, was a menace in Sweden’s U-20 league with Rogle BK last year, tallying 23 goals and 19 assists in 32 regular-season games. Despite his smaller stature, Bartholdsson was a top scorer among under-18 skaters in the J20 Nationell. There will be concerns about how he can handle physicality at higher levels of competition, but Bartholdsson boasts a lethal shot and a williness to drive into Grade-A ice. He models his game after undersized scoring winger Viktor Arvidsson, and I believe he will continue to develop and improve in the upcoming season.
In my opinion, the Boston Bruins have a strong pipeline of young talent, and these top 10 prospects are just the tip of the iceberg. With a mix of skilled forwards, defensemen, and goaltenders, the Bruins are poised to make a significant impact in the NHL in the upcoming season and beyond.
