10 prospects the Bruins could target with the No. 25 pick in the 2024 NHL Draft (2024)

Bruins

For just the fourth time since 2017, the Bruins will officially be on the clock in the first round of the NHL Draft.

By Conor Ryan

June 26, 2024

For just the fourth time since 2017, the Bruins will officially be on the clock in the first round of the NHL Draft.

Boston re-acquired its own 2024 first-round pick (No. 25 overall) on Monday, plucking it from the Senators in what stands as the top return for dealing Linus Ullmark to a fellow Atlantic Division opponent.

Boston’s 2024 first-rounder has changed hands a couple of times already. It was first acquired by the Red Wings in the trade involving Tyler Bertuzzi in March 2023, but Detroit shipped it to the Senators as part of the Alex DeBrincat deal four months later.

With Boston back in the first round, Don Sweeney and the rest of his staff will have the chance to add an intriguing prospect to their pipeline — especially down the middle.

Here are a few appealing players that the Bruins could target at No. 25 overall:

Jett Luchanko, C, OHL (Guelph)

The Bruins have had some success as of late targeting playmaking pivots from the Guelph Storm, with Matt Poitras developing into a blue-chip prospect after Boston took him in the second round of the 2022 NHL Draft.

Once Poitras left Guelph to join the Bruins, Luchanko stepped into a top-line role with the Storm and thrived — scoring 20 goals and posting 74 points over 68 games against OHL competition. Much like Poitras, Luchanko isn’t the biggest body at 5-foot-11, but he operates with plenty of pace that allows him to put defenses on their heels and retrieve pucks in Grade-A ice.

Cole Beaudoin, C, OHL (Barrie)

If the Bruins prioritize a pivot prospect with a safe floor as a potential middle-six contributor, Beaudoin might be their best bet. The 18-year-old left-shot center already boasts a pro-ready frame at 6-foot-2 and 209 — using his size to win puck battles, create havoc down low, and pressure opposing puck carriers.

Beaudoin, named the Eastern Conference’s hardest worker, top penalty killer, and second-best defensive forward in the OHL’s year-end coaches’ poll, scored 28 goals and 62 points in 67 games with the Colts last season. He may not have top-six upside like a few other centers on this list, but Beaudoin could develop into a dependable two-way stalwart in short order.

Dean Letourneau, C, St. Andrew’s College

If the Bruins are looking to swing for the fences for a potential boom-or-bust prospect, Letourneau could be the ideal target. There’s a clear reason why Letourneau has generated plenty of interest: He’s a 6-foot-7 center who has received high marks for his skating ability and playmaking capabilities.

Letourneau, who lit up the stat sheet (61 goals, 127 points in 56 games) while playing prep competition at St. Andrew’s College in Canada, is also committed to Boston College for the fall. Letourneau, who told NHL.com that he models his game after Sabres star Tage Thompson, has a very high ceiling.

But there are questions about how Letourneau will adjust to higher level of competition in the NCAA ranks and beyond, while he has been knocked at times for some passivity in his play. Still, his size and offensive potential might be too good to pass up if he’s available at No. 25.

Michael Hage C, Chicago Steel (USHL)

It remains to be seen if Hage will still be available when the Bruins get on the clock at No. 25, considering the 6-foot-1 center has drawn rave reviews for his dynamic skating and playmaking capabilities. The 18-year-old pivot was a force for the Steel last season, scoring 33 goals and recording 75 points over 54 games.

While the Michigan commit will likely need some time to round out his two-way game in the coming years, Hage is the type of high-end offensive talent down the middle that the Bruins are lacking within the organization.

Sacha Boisvert, C, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)

Much like Beaudoin, Boisvert projects as a prospect whose floor as a capable NHLer is easy to map out given his size (6-foot-2, 183 pounds) and well-rounded game. His sharp wrist shot was put to good use in Muskegon (36 tallies over 61 games), but the University of North Dakota commit has also received high marks for his hockey IQ and two-way game.

Teddy Stiga, LW, U.S. NTDP

Stiga may not be a center at the next level, but his connections to the Bruins are fairly evident. He’s a Sudbury native and Boston College commit who could be a potential target late in the first round for a team looking for a high-motor forward.

While Stiga scored 36 goals in 61 games last season with the NTDP, it’s the 5-foot-10 forward’s ability to anticipate plays in the offensive zone and knack for making things happen with his skating that makes him an appealing option for a team in need for more scoring punch up front.

Liam Greentree, LW, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)

If the Bruins are looking for more size and scoring touch in their prospect pool, Greentree could be a target in the first round. The 6-foot-2, 207-pound forward led Windsor with 36 goals and 90 points last season — finishing 12th in the OHL in scoring. He’ll need to work on his skating to thrive at the next level, but the offensive skills are evident — especially when driving to the net and cycling the puck.

Emil Hemming, RW, TPS (Liiga)

Another power forward, Hemming possesses a heavy shot that — when coupled with his 6-foot-2, 205-pound frame — makes him a worthwhile investment for a team looking to add some size to their forward corps. Beyond adhering to a heavy game in the Finnish Liiga, Hemming’s defensive skills and high motor make him a skater who could develop into a two-way talent at the next level, rather than a one-dimensional goal-scorer.

Stian Solberg, D, Vålerenga (Norway)

At first glance, the blue line seems to be the least of Boston’s worries as far as draft needs. But if the Bruins are honed in on taking the “best player available”, a potential top-four fixture like Solberg might be too good to pass up.

The left-shot D more than held his own against older competition in Norway last season, and also thrived in World Championships. A 6-foot-2 blueliner noted for his fluid skating, Solberg’s mean streak has also been brought up in multiple scouting reports. If the Bruins are trying to find a steady, physical left-shot to eventually pair with Charlie McAvoy, Solberg could be their guy.

E.J. Emery, D, U.S. NTDP

He may not boast a high offensive ceiling, but Emery is a 6-foot-3, right-shot D who is projected to thrive as a mobile puck carrier and shutdown presence on the blue line in the coming years.

He’s far from flashy, but Emery is rarely caught flat-footed, steers skaters away from Grade-A and is tough to play against. Boston currently has McAvoy, Brandon Carlo, and Andrew Peeke on the right side of its defense, but Emery could be a worthwhile investment.