While no draft class can instantly fix a franchise, the 2025 NHL Draft presents the Boston Bruins with an opportunity to hit reset and inject the organization with high-upside talent
Years of pushing for deep playoff runs have depleted their prospect pool, but with smart picks and a commitment to development, Boston can start climbing back up the NHL ladder.
A successful draft—starting with a foundational player like Brady Martin—could one day be seen as the turning point in the Bruins’ rebuild. The future may not arrive overnight, but if Boston nails these picks, it won’t take long to arrive.
The Bruins’ 2025 draft class won’t grab headlines, but it’s a smart, calculated crop with a lot of long-term potential.
Without a first-round pick, Boston chose to prioritize upside, versatility, and players who may need more time to develop but could become key contributors in the future.
Bryce Pickford and Brandon Gorzynski are the headliners — both could realistically push for NHL roles within the next 3–4 years.
Meanwhile, players like Schafer and Beckman are lottery tickets with intriguing ceilings, and the later picks of Amidovski and Laberge help fill organizational needs and add depth.
If even two or three of these six picks become full-time NHLers, this draft class will be considered a quiet success.
Development will be key, but for now, the Bruins have laid the groundwork for a more robust future pipeline.
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Boston Bruins Aim to Bounce Back with Smart Draft Strategy
After a disappointing NHL season that saw the Boston Bruins fall far short of expectations, the franchise has made it clear: mediocrity isn’t acceptable.1
A proud, historic franchise with one of the most passionate fanbases in hockey, Boston is ready to retool and rise again.
Their journey toward competitiveness begins at the 2025 NHL Draft, which will take place June 27–28 in Los Angeles.
With seven total selections—including two in the second round—the Bruins have multiple chances to reshape their future. One great draft could kickstart a new chapter in Boston hockey.
Here’s a full 2025 Boston Bruins mock draft, including detailed insights into each projected pick.
Round 1, Pick 7: Brady Martin, C, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
With their first-round pick, the Bruins look to solve a long-term problem down the middle by drafting Brady Martin.
The 6-foot-1 center had a standout year in the OHL, registering 33 goals and 39 assists in 57 games for the Soo Greyhounds. His blend of skating, IQ, and shooting touch makes him a top-10 worthy prospect.
Martin’s playstyle is a near-perfect fit for Boston’s gritty, two-way identity. He’s responsible in the defensive zone and excels at faceoffs, an area the Bruins have historically prioritized.
If Boston misses out on James Hagens or opts not to trade down, Martin is a sound and exciting choice.
Round 2, Pick 39: Luke McNamara, RW, Tri-City Americans
With their first pick in the second round, Boston adds offensive firepower on the wing. Luke McNamara has one of the most deceptive shots in this year’s class and is lethal on the power play. He notched 27 goals and 45 points in 60 WHL games last season.
McNamara has some rawness to his game, particularly with his puck handling under pressure, but his upside is undeniable.
With proper development, he could eventually slot into a second-line winger role, bringing scoring depth to a Bruins roster that struggled to find consistent production outside its top six.
Round 3, Pick 71: Bennett George, G, U.S. National Team Development Program (USNTDP)
The Bruins haven’t selected a goaltender in the top three rounds in years, but 2025 may be the time to change that.
Bennett George, a top goalie in the USNTDP pipeline, is an intriguing pick with this selection. At 6’3”, he has the size NHL scouts crave and pairs it with sharp reflexes and efficient crease movement.
George is committed to Boston College, where he’ll face elite competition and have ample time to refine his game.
With Linus Ullmark approaching free agency and Jeremy Swayman holding down the starter’s role, George could develop into the perfect long-term backup or even future starter.
Round 4, Pick 103: Josh Wu, C/W, Vancouver Giants
Boston goes back to the CHL to snag one of the more underrated dual-threat forwards in this class. Josh Wu isn’t a household name, but he produced quietly impressive numbers in the WHL: 21 goals, 31 assists, and strong defensive metrics.
What separates Wu is his versatility. He plays both center and wing, kills penalties, and plays with a relentless motor—classic Bruins DNA. He’s a project player, but in the fourth round, Boston would be getting a hardworking, coachable forward who could one day carve out a middle-six role.
Round 5, Pick 135: Leo Hägg, D, Sweden U20
Looking to add international flair and size to their prospect pool, the Bruins turn to Sweden for this pick. Leo Hägg is a 6-foot-4 blueliner with a mean streak.
He doesn’t offer much offense, but he clears the crease, blocks shots, and brings an edge every time he steps on the ice.
In a development system known for producing quality defensemen, Hägg’s ceiling isn’t flashy, but his floor is attractive.
With physical defensemen becoming rarer in today’s NHL, he could become a valuable depth option who thrives in defensive-zone starts or penalty-killing situations.
Round 6, Pick 167: Connor O’Dell, LW, Maine Black Bears
Late-round picks are all about high-risk, high-reward swings, and Connor O’Dell fits that mold. An explosive skater with raw offensive tools, O’Dell had a breakout freshman season at the University of Maine, tallying 14 goals in 34 games.
He’ll need to tighten up his defensive habits and add some weight to his frame, but the offensive instincts are there.
The Bruins have had success developing college players over longer timelines—just ask Charlie McAvoy—and O’Dell could follow a similar path.
Boston Bruins: Organizational Depth Meets Immediate Needs
Boston’s projected 2025 class hits several key organizational needs. Center depth, mobile defensemen, goaltending insurance, and scoring wings all get addressed in this draft.2
While not every player will pan out, the talent-to-upside ratio is strong throughout the seven picks.
Brady Martin could be the franchise centerman the Bruins need for the post-Bergeron era. Players like McNamara and Wu add much-needed forward depth.
And defenders like Jelinek and Hägg give Boston flexibility when building their next generation blue line.
Trade Watch: Bruins May Not Stay at No. 7
One wildcard to keep an eye on is whether Boston trades the No. 7 overall pick. Multiple reports suggest GM Don Sweeney is open to moving down if it means acquiring additional assets or an NHL-ready forward.
With several teams trying to move up for a shot at elite talent like Hagens or Macklin Celebrini, Boston could capitalize on that demand.
If they do move down, expect the Bruins to still target a center or offensive-minded defenseman in the 10–15 range.
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Boston Bruins 2025 NHL Draft Review
A Strategic Blend of Skill and Upside
The Boston Bruins approached the 2025 NHL Draft with a clear strategy: identify potential long-term contributors who may need time to develop but bring a mix of offensive upside, positional diversity, and promising traits.3
While the team didn’t own a first-round pick, they entered Day 2 with six selections from Rounds 2 through 6 and focused on building a future pipeline of players who can potentially grow into NHL roles.
Let’s break down each selection with detailed analysis and insights into what these prospects could mean for the Bruins moving forward.
The preseason slate 🗓️
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— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) June 24, 2025
A Modern Two-Way Defenseman with NHL Potential
With their first pick in the second round, the Bruins selected Bryce Pickford, a dynamic right-shot defenseman from the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers.
Standing 6 feet tall, Pickford put up impressive numbers for a blueliner: 20 goals and 27 assists for 47 points in just 48 games.
Pickford projects as an offensive-minded defenseman with excellent mobility and puck-handling skills. His ability to jump into the rush, quarterback a power play, and make crisp outlet passes fits the mold of the modern NHL defenseman.
Despite his offensive pedigree, scouts note his defensive play remains a work in progress, particularly against stronger forwards in the corners and net-front battles.
Boston’s development staff will likely emphasize his defensive positioning and physical maturity over the next couple of seasons. If he makes the expected leap, Pickford could be challenging for NHL minutes by 2027.
Boston Bruins: Center Depth with Long-Term Growth Potential
With their second pick in Round 2, Boston turned to the middle of the ice, selecting Brandon Gorzynski, a center from the Calgary Hitmen.
Gorzynski is known for his skating and offensive instincts, and this past season he saw a noticeable jump in production. He’s still raw, but his work ethic, combined with an improving shot and growing confidence, make him a solid long-term project.
At 6-foot-1 and around 180 pounds, Gorzynski has room to fill out his frame. His faceoff skills, defensive play, and physicality will be focal points in his development, especially if he’s to one day carve out a bottom-six NHL role.
With two more WHL seasons ahead of him, the Bruins are betting on his continued upward trajectory.
Low Production, High Potential: A European Wildcard
In the third round, the Bruins went international, selecting German winger Maxim Schafer from Eisbaren Berlin of the DEL. Schafer’s stats – just 1 goal and 2 assists in 31 games – don’t jump off the page.
However, it’s important to understand that teenagers in top-tier European leagues are rarely given significant ice time, making his true potential difficult to gauge based on box scores alone.
Schafer brings size (6-foot-2) and a north-south power-forward style of play. He’s still figuring out how to use his frame to his advantage, but scouts are intrigued by his raw tools: decent speed for his size, a hard shot, and flashes of strong puck protection.
This pick is a classic “boom or bust” gamble that could pay off if Schafer develops with more playing time, possibly through a move to a junior or AHL program that gives him top-line minutes.
Boston Bruins: Goaltending Investment for the Future
In Round 4, the Bruins took their lone goalie of the draft: Lucas Beckman out of the QMJHL. Goaltenders are notoriously difficult to project, and Beckman is no exception.
His numbers are solid – a 2.65 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage across 31 wins – but the jump from junior hockey to the NHL for goalies typically takes years.
Beckman’s calm presence in the crease, strong lateral movement, and rebound control make him an intriguing project.
He’ll need to add strength, improve puck tracking, and continue refining his post-integration techniques. Expect Beckman to stay in the QMJHL another season before moving to the AHL or an NCAA program.
While not a high-profile goalie prospect, Beckman has the foundation of a potential NHL backup or more — if his development remains steady.
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Lirim Amidovski, RW, North Bay Battalion
Boston selected Lirim Amidovski in the fifth round, a right winger from the OHL’s North Bay Battalion. Amidovski had a modest 32-point campaign (19 goals, 13 assists) in 67 games but showed signs of growth in the second half of the season.
Amidovski is a high-motor forward with good straight-line speed and a willingness to drive the net. His play without the puck, especially on the forecheck, has improved significantly, making him a candidate for a future energy-line role.
Offensively, Amidovski will need to become more consistent and creative if he’s to take the next step. Still, in the fifth round, he represents a decent swing for the Bruins — especially if he can develop into a hard-working bottom-six winger with special teams value.
Noah Laberge, D, Acadie-Bathurst Titan
With their final pick, the Bruins selected Noah Laberge, a 6-foot defenseman out of the QMJHL’s Acadie-Bathurst Titan.
Laberge had flashes of offensive production but is still better known for his poise and defensive fundamentals.
He’s a smooth skater with above-average hockey IQ, and while he doesn’t dominate in any one area, he doesn’t have glaring weaknesses either.
Laberge’s ability to make clean zone exits, his calm demeanor under pressure, and his developing physical play give him a chance to become a reliable depth defenseman.
This is the kind of pick that quietly builds organizational depth — especially if Laberge continues to round out his game over the next few years.
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