The Next Wave: Where the Bruins Pipeline Stands
Here's the thing about a prospect pipeline: you never notice it until it pays you back. The Bruins went years with a system people loved to call thin, and then James Hagens (10 GP, 7 P so far) showed up and reminded everybody why you keep an eye on the kids. He's in Boston now, which means the rest of this group has a new standard to chase.
So where does it stand? Honestly, deeper than its reputation. There are 28 names worth tracking, with 15 of them in college and 8 playing in Europe or Russia. There's size down the middle, a couple of skilled wingers who can flat-out score, and a goalie worth dreaming on. Nobody here is a sure thing, and that's the fun part.
Below are the five I'd watch closest this season, then everyone else, broken down by where they're playing. The numbers update on their own; the opinions are all mine.
- Hot hand: Nils Bartholdsson owns the week. Three points Saturday, another goal Sunday, and he's at 12 points in his U20 run while bouncing up to Rogle's men's team between games.
- Hot hand: Liam Pettersson's three-point Sunday (two goals, one helper) was his best night yet, and his junior point streak is now five.
- Hot hand: Cullen McCrate scored twice Sunday for Brantford, including the winner on an end-to-end rush. Not bad for a defenseman.
- Honors: Will Zellers picked up NCHC Forward of the Week, and Elliott Groenewold got a spot on the U.S. college team heading to the Spengler Cup.
- Injury watch: Will Moore is out long-term at BC, per his coach. Cole Chandler sat out two more Cape Breton games hurt. Cooper Simpson missed North Dakota's Saturday game with no reason given.
- Providence: Split with Hershey: a 5-3 loss Saturday, then a 6-1 romp Sunday behind Mikey Eyssimont's hat trick (his second in four games) and 27 saves from Jiri Patera.
Dean Letourneau
Start with the obvious: there aren't many 6-foot-7 centers who can actually handle the puck, and that's why Boston spent a first-rounder on him. The rookie-year growing pains at the Heights are behind him, and what you see now is a big body learning when to slow a play down and when to bulldoze through it. If the hands keep catching up to the frame, this is a third-line center with real upside, maybe more. Patience is the whole deal here, and so far it's paying off.
This week (Oct 12-18): empty-netter and 5 SOG in a 4-0 win Thursday · 2 A, 9 SOG, 9/10 draws, 21:36 Saturday · first steps look quicker.
Boston College (NCAA) · 3 GP · 2 G · 2 A · 4 PTS · Drafted 2024, round 1, No. 25
Will Zellers
Zellers is the guy you watch for pure fun. He's not big, he doesn't need to be, and he finds soft ice in the offensive zone like he's got a map nobody else was handed. Getting him as a third-rounder looks like a steal more every month. The question was never whether he can score; it's whether he can do it against grown men. North Dakota is a good proving ground for exactly that.
This week (Oct 12-18): NCHC Forward of the Week · no points but 7 SOG in two North Dakota shutout wins.
University of North Dakota (NCAA) · 4 GP · 2 G · 4 A · 6 PTS · Drafted 2024, round 3, No. 76
Dans Locmelis
Locmelis is the closest to Boston of anyone on this list, and it shows in how he plays: responsible, smart on the walls, the kind of center coaches trust late in games. He's not going to light up the scoresheet every night in Providence, and that's fine. He's the type who sneaks onto an NHL roster because he does twenty little things right, and one injury up front could make him a phone call away.
This week (Oct 12-18): two assists in Saturday's loss to Hershey.
Providence Bruins (AHL) · 7 GP · 0 G · 3 A · 3 PTS · Drafted 2022, round 4, No. 119
Nils Bartholdsson
Here's the fun one from the 2026 class. Bartholdsson is tearing up Swedish junior hockey right now, and the production is loud enough that you can't ignore it, even at 5-foot-10. A third-round pick scoring like this is how a prospect climbs a list in a hurry. Next step is proving it in the men's league, but for now, enjoy the highlight reel.
This week (Oct 12-18): deflected in Rogle's only goal (8 shots) in a CHL loss Tuesday · 2 G, 1 A Saturday in a 7-4 U20 win · 1 G Sunday in a 9-2 rout · dressed but sat twice with the men's team.
Rogle BK (U20 Nationell) · 5 GP · 7 G · 5 A · 12 PTS · Drafted 2026, round 3, No. 88
Yuri Ivanov
Every pipeline needs a goalie to dream on, and Ivanov is ours. He's tall, he's raw, and the record in Russia doesn't tell you much because his team in front of him is giving up a ton. Look at the save percentage instead, it says he's holding his own. Goalies take forever, so think of this as a four- or five-year project. The tools are the reason he went in round two.
This week (Oct 12-18): 23/24 plus a shootout loss Tuesday · pulled after 4 goals Thursday · 38 saves on 41 Sunday with 16 shots in support.
Spartak (MHL) · 10 GP · 2-7-0 · .912 SV% · Drafted 2026, round 2, No. 56The closest ones. These guys are already pros, and an injury or two in Boston is all it takes.
Riley Duran is a 24-year-old center from the 2020 draft class, taken in the 6th round. The points haven't come yet, so the real work is in the details. He's one call-up away from Boston.
Providence Bruins (AHL) · 7 GP · 1 G · 1 A · 2 PTS · Drafted 2020, round 6, No. 182The biggest group in the system, spread across Hockey East, the NCHC and beyond. College hockey lets them grow up before signing.
The Bruins grabbed Cooper Simpson in the 3rd round in 2025, and he's now a 19-year-old left wing playing at University of North Dakota. It's a quieter start on the scoresheet, and it's more about learning the system than counting goals. Another year or two of college hockey wouldn't hurt.
This week (Oct 12-18): 4 SOG Friday · did not dress Saturday.
University of North Dakota (NCAA) · 3 GP · 0 G · 1 A · 1 PTS · Drafted 2025, round 3, No. 79Christopher Pelosi, a center, is 21 years old, now skating for Quinnipiac University. He's putting up points at a pace you notice even from a box score. College gives him time to fill out before he turns pro.
This week (Oct 12-18): 2 A (one on the winner) and 4 SOG in a 6-3 win over Penn State.
Quinnipiac University (NCAA) · 5 GP · 2 G · 3 A · 5 PTS · Drafted 2023, round 3, No. 92Remember Elliott Groenewold? Boston picked him in the 4th round back in 2024. He's over a point a game, which is the kind of start that gets people talking. Another year or two of college hockey wouldn't hurt.
This week (Oct 12-18): named to the U.S. Spengler Cup college team · even, 1 SOG Friday.
Quinnipiac University (NCAA) · 5 GP · 0 G · 5 A · 5 PTS · Drafted 2024, round 4, No. 110Cole Spicer gives the system another center, 22 years old and on the books since the 2022 draft. The production is decent, and the arrow is pointing up. College gives him time to fill out before he turns pro.
This week (Oct 12-18): scored 19 seconds in and set up the PP winner Friday (5 SOG, 11/17 draws) · 3 SOG, 9/14 draws Saturday · Western Michigan 3-0.
Western Michigan (NCAA) · 4 GP · 1 G · 1 A · 2 PTS · Drafted 2022, round 4, No. 117Philip Svedeback is a 24-year-old goalie from the 2021 draft class, taken in the 4th round. Goalies are a slow build, and this is one of those slow builds. Another year or two of college hockey wouldn't hurt.
Providence College (NCAA) · 18 GP · 8-6-2 · .918 SV% · Drafted 2021, round 4, No. 117The Bruins grabbed Beckett Hendrickson in the 4th round in 2023, and he's now a 21-year-old center playing at University of Minnesota. He's chipping in steady offense without forcing it. College gives him time to fill out before he turns pro.
This week (Oct 12-18): had the assist on Minnesota's lone goal in a 7-1 loss · 14:12 in a 2-2 tie.
University of Minnesota (NCAA) · 4 GP · 1 G · 1 A · 2 PTS · Drafted 2023, round 4, No. 124Mason Langenbrunner, a defenseman, is 24 years old, now skating for Harvard Univ.. It's a quieter start on the scoresheet, and it's more about learning the system than counting goals. Another year or two of college hockey wouldn't hurt.
Harvard Univ. (NCAA) · 32 GP · 2 G · 8 A · 10 PTS · Drafted 2020, round 5, No. 151Remember Jonathan Morello? Boston picked him in the 5th round back in 2024. Box score aside, this is a development year, plain and simple. College gives him time to fill out before he turns pro.
This week (Oct 12-18): still hunting his first point; 6/15 on draws in a split with Vermont.
Boston University (NCAA) · 4 GP · 0 G · 0 A · 0 PTS · Drafted 2024, round 5, No. 154Roberto Henriquez gives the system another goalie, 19 years old and on the books since the 2026 draft. Goalies are a slow build, and this is one of those slow builds. Another year or two of college hockey wouldn't hurt.
This week (Oct 12-18): first college start Saturday, 15 saves on 20 shots in a 5-3 loss.
Boston College (NCAA) · 1 GP · 0-1-0 · .800 SV% · Drafted 2026, round 6, No. 170Ryan Walsh is a 23-year-old center from the 2023 draft class, taken in the 6th round. His season is barely started, so check back in a few weeks. College gives him time to fill out before he turns pro.
This week (Oct 12-18): Cornell opens Oct. 30.
Cornell University (NCAA) · No games logged yet this season · Drafted 2023, round 6, No. 188The Bruins grabbed Casper Nassen in the 7th round in 2023, and he's now a 22-year-old right wing playing at Lake Superior State. He's putting up points at a pace you notice even from a box score. Another year or two of college hockey wouldn't hurt.
This week (Oct 12-18): no points, minus-4 across a split with Alaska-Anchorage.
Lake Superior State (NCAA) · 4 GP · 1 G · 3 A · 4 PTS · Drafted 2023, round 7, No. 214Kristian Kostadinski, a defenseman, is 21 years old, now skating for Boston College. The points haven't come yet, so the real work is in the details. College gives him time to fill out before he turns pro.
This week (Oct 12-18): plus-2 Thursday · 22:45 in Saturday's loss, no points.
Boston College (NCAA) · 3 GP · 0 G · 0 A · 0 PTS · Drafted 2023, round 7, No. 220Will Moore is a forward Boston brought in as a free agent, now at Boston College. There isn't much to judge yet, and that's okay this early. Another year or two of college hockey wouldn't hurt.
This week (Oct 12-18): injured; expected to miss significant time.
Boston College (NCAA) · No games logged yet this season · Drafted free-agent signingBig minutes, long bus rides and a lot of games. This is where raw kids turn into pros.
Cole Chandler gives the system another center, 19 years old and on the books since the 2025 draft. He's contributing, not dominating, and for his age that's fine. Junior is the right place to build the game before the pro jump.
This week (Oct 12-18): missed both Cape Breton games injured.
Cape Breton (QMJHL) · 8 GP · 1 G · 5 A · 6 PTS · Drafted 2025, round 5, No. 133Jacob Vandeven is a 18-year-old defenseman from the 2026 draft class, taken in the 5th round. The points haven't come yet, so the real work is in the details. He'll get big minutes in junior, which is exactly what he needs.
This week (Oct 12-18): plus-6 over three London wins, no points · plus-15 on the year, tied for the OHL lead.
London Knights (OHL) · 10 GP · 0 G · 0 A · 0 PTS · Drafted 2026, round 5, No. 157The Bruins grabbed Cullen McCrate in the 7th round in 2026, and he's now a 19-year-old defenseman playing at Brantford Bulldogs. The scoring is real so far, and he's driving play instead of riding along. Junior is the right place to build the game before the pro jump.
This week (Oct 12-18): secondary assist in a 1-0 win Friday · 2 G (game-winner plus an empty-netter), plus-2 Sunday.
Brantford Bulldogs (OHL) · 9 GP · 3 G · 6 A · 9 PTS · Drafted 2026, round 7, No. 216Playing against grown men in Europe and Russia, a tougher test than it sounds.
Liam Pettersson, a defenseman, is 19 years old, now skating for Djurgardens IF. Box score aside, this is a development year, plain and simple. Holding a spot in a men's league at his age says something.
This week (Oct 12-18): scratched-in-uniform with the SHL club Thursday · 1 A Saturday · 2 G, 1 A, 4 SOG Sunday (first goals of the year, one on the PP) · 5-game U20 point streak.
Djurgardens IF (SHL) · 9 GP · 0 G · 1 A · 1 PTS · Drafted 2025, round 2, No. 61Remember Oskar Jellvik? Boston picked him in the 5th round back in 2021. The points haven't come yet, so the real work is in the details. Playing against men overseas is good prep for the grind of North American pro hockey.
Rögle BK (SHL) · 10 GP · 0 G · 1 A · 1 PTS · Drafted 2021, round 5, No. 149The youngest European picks, still in junior but already worth tracking.
Vashek Blanar gives the system another defenseman, 19 years old and on the books since the 2025 draft. The production is decent, and the arrow is pointing up. A jump to senior hockey in Europe is the next box to check.
This week (Oct 12-18): pointless in three HV71 losses, but 9 SOG over the last two · 3-game point streak snapped · still a point per game.
HV71 (U20 Nationell) · 7 GP · 3 G · 3 A · 6 PTS · Drafted 2025, round 4, No. 100Matvei Kotkov is a 18-year-old right wing from the 2026 draft class, taken in the 4th round. Box score aside, this is a development year, plain and simple. He's still in junior hockey overseas, and the men's league is the next test.
This week (Oct 12-18): opened the scoring Thursday in a 5-2 loss · blanked in 11:35 Saturday.
Loko Yaroslav (MHL) · 17 GP · 3 G · 1 A · 4 PTS · stats with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, KHL · Drafted 2026, round 4, No. 104The Bruins grabbed Oscar Olsson in the 4th round in 2026, and he's now a 18-year-old left wing playing at Orebro HK. He's over a point a game, which is the kind of start that gets people talking. A jump to senior hockey in Europe is the next box to check.
This week (Oct 12-18): didn't play in either Orebro game.
Orebro HK (U20 Nationell) · 12 GP · 7 G · 5 A · 12 PTS · Drafted 2026, round 4, No. 122Kirill Yemelyanov, a center, is 19 years old, now skating for Loko Yaroslav. It's a quieter start on the scoresheet, and it's more about learning the system than counting goals. He's still in junior hockey overseas, and the men's league is the next test.
This week (Oct 12-18): his backcheck set up a goal Thursday · one shift Saturday, most of it killing a penalty.
Loko Yaroslav (MHL) · 4 GP · 0 G · 1 A · 1 PTS · Drafted 2025, round 6, No. 165