After not possessing a first-round pick in the NHL Draft for the previous two years, the Boston Bruins have risen in the draft rankings following their recent trade with the Ottawa Senators. They traded former Vezina-winning goaltender Linus Ullmark to their division opponent in return for Joonas Korpisalo, Mark Kastelic, and the 25th choice in this weekend’s 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
Given the value Boston obtained, the first-round pick appears to be the most significant and outstanding component. Prior to the transaction, the Bruins possessed only three picks in the forthcoming draft, the first coming in the fourth round. Some consider this year’s draft class to be weaker than typical, so it’s understandable that general manager (GM) Don Sweeney wanted to move into the first round and make a selection sooner.
Almost definitely, whoever they choose will need another year or two to mature before being ready for the NHL. The team’s last two choices in the first round came in the second half of the round and were Johnny Beecher (2019) and Fabian Lysell (2021). Beecher made his NHL debut this season, while Lysell is yet to make his, however it is worth noting that he has had some injury concerns.
So, who are some prospective options the Bruins might pursue with pick number 25? So, here are a few names that could still be on the board.
Emil Hemming
The Bruins need scoring help, and Emil Hemming might add some offensive flair to the prospect pool. Coming from Finland, he is considered as the sixth best skater in Europe by the NHL, and most draft estimates place him in the 20s, making him a viable option for Boston in terms of scoring.
Hemming is a right winger who stands over six feet tall. He spent the 2023-24 season with TPS in the Liiga, playing 13 games for the U20 squad and 40 games in the top league, giving him more experience playing against grown men than youngsters. He scored seven goals and 11 points in 40 games, although it’s worth noting that he faced tougher competition than some other prospects his age.
He’s been considered to have a good two-way game and understands how to use his stature to his advantage. His finest attribute is his shooting. He needs to improve his defensive game and consistency, but there is a lot to like about Hemming if he is still available at the age of 25.
Stian Solberg
This offseason, the Bruins must fix their defensive issues. It is not as critical as acquiring a center, but it is still necessary, and while any prospect selected in this draft will not be an immediate solution, they do require some restocking of their defense pipeline, with Mason Lohrei expected to make the transition to a full-time NHL role next season. I originally felt they should address defense with their fourth-round pick, but if they want a higher-end potential for the blue line, Stian Solberg is a name to watch.
The Norwegian stands 6-foot-2 and fits well with the Bruins’ preference for big defensemen (Lohrei, Brandon Carlo, and Hampus Lindholm are all 6-foot-4 or taller). His stock has risen since his outstanding performance at the World Juniors, and, like Hemming, he spent this season competing against grown men in Norway’s top division. He had 15 points in 42 games and represented Norway at the World Championship in May, scoring two goals and three points in seven games.
Solberg is known for his powerful physical style, making him a classic “old school” defenseman. He remains calm under pressure and excels in transitional situations, which the Bruins struggled with at times this season. He is also a left-handed defenseman, which leaves Boston with multiple questions on that side, aside from Lohrei and Lindholm. If he is still available at pick 25, he is surely someone the front office should consider adding to their prospect pool.
Michael Hage
The Bruins have been highly keen on finding center prospects in recent drafts. Three of their five draft picks in 2023 were for centers. It paid off this season, as Matthew Poitras, a second-round pick in the 2022 Draft, made his debut and had a solid rookie season before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery in February. Given how many centers they’ve taken in Rounds 2–4 in recent rounds, I didn’t believe center would be a top priority for them this year.
But now that the Bruins have a first-round pick, they may be able to add a center prospect who will be NHL-ready sooner than other prospects in the pipeline. Given the team’s lack of center depth, they may be keen to select one with the 25th pick, and Michael Hage is one of the players that may still be available at that time. Several rankings have him going off the board between 24 and 28, which is ideal for Boston.
Hage is attracting attention from teams throughout the NHL. After missing much of 2022-23 due to a shoulder injury, he developed into an important player for the Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League (USHL). Scouting reports highlight his superb skating and playmaking talents, and he has improved his defensive game over the last season. In 54 games, he scored 33 goals and 75 points and was chosen to the USHL’s first all-star team. He is committed to the University of Michigan, which has produced elite talent in recent seasons.
Hage could be remembered as the steal of this draft class in years to come. Could he have been ranked higher if he hadn’t been limited to 13 games in 2022-23? He is an intriguing prospect and would be a valuable addition to the Bruins’ pipeline if he is still available at pick 25.
Jett Luchanko
If Hage is no longer on the board, Jett Luchanko is another center who could be available at pick 25 for the Bruins. He has seen his draft value climb in recent months after a good second half of the season with the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He ended in the top 30 in OHL scoring with 74 points in 68 games.
Luchanko has been hailed for being a really intelligent player who is willing to compete for the puck while putting up impressive numbers. In addition to his scoring abilities, he has already established a strong defensive game, and everyone knows how important great two-way centers are in Boston. While he has a lot of outstanding traits, he has fallen under the radar, which might work in the Bruins’ favor given that he is still available late in the first round.
At the end of the day, it’s difficult to forecast exactly who will be available when the Bruins choose at 25. To express the obvious, if there is still a player who is plainly the best available, the front office must select him. More than prioritizing a position with this choice, the team simply requires the greatest available players.
I don’t think the Bruins’ prospect pool is as weak as people think. They have some players that are still growing but have the potential to become real NHL players. However, they might still benefit from some more well-known talents who are more polished and may be ready to make the jump to the NHL sooner.
It is undoubtedly exciting to see the Bruins return to the first round for the first time since 2021. The NHL Draft is always a highlight of the NHL season. Check out The Hockey Writers Draft Guide to prepare for the big day.
