Zach Senyshyn has surprised nearly everyone with his breakout season. Photo credit: Jeffrey Ougler, Sault Star.
When the Bruins made their picks in the 2015 Draft, I wasn't happy with them. I though that their three (three!) first round picks would be better served on players like Kyle Connor or Evgeny Svechnikov, both of whom are having very good seasons. But good performances from Zach Senyshyn and Jeremy Lauzon in their respective junior leagues have been pleasant surprises, so I thought that I'd look back on each player the Bruins drafted last year and see how they've done so far.
Round 1, 13th overall: Jakub Zboril, Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)
A big defenceman hailing from the Czech Republic, Zboril has only scored four goals in 35 games, which is definitely a big departure from his 13 goals in 44 games last year, but his shooting percentage is six points down this season, and that probably isn't sustainable. But Zboril has a good role on his team as a quality defensive defenceman who can start a scoring chance on the other side of the rink.
Round 1, 14th overall: Jake DeBrusk, Red Deer Rebels (WHL)
Traded from the Swift Current Broncos to the Red Deer Rebels in the midst of an 11-game stretch where he didn't have any multiple-point games, DeBrusk has had a disappointing season. Despite his change of scenery, DeBrusk hasn't really improved his performance from when he was with Swift Current. The Rebels are 35-19-1, but I don't think much of that record can be attributed to DeBrusk.
Round 1, 15th overall: Zachary Senyshyn, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
Don Sweeney surprised many Bruins fans (not the first time that sentence has been uttered, by the way) by picking Zach Senyshyn, projected to go in the second or even the third round. But so far, his blazing fast skating and his shot that "explodes off his stick" according to McKeen's hockey have earned him 33 goals in 52 games - though just 16 assists shows that he might need some work on his playmaking - first on his team by a wide margin and tied for 7th in the entire league.
Round 2, 37th overall: Brandon Carlo, Tri-City Americans (WHL)
Carlo, along with Zboril was among the first Bruins picks that were actually signed to a contract. At 6'5'', he's got size, as well as speed and what scouts call "hockey IQ". 19 points in 36 games aren't exactly superstar numbers, but it isn't horrible. Plus, his 17 assists nearly equal his 19 assists from last season in 27 less games.
Round 2, 45th overall: Jakob Forsbacka-Karlsson, Boston University (NCAA)
"JFK", a rearguard hailing from Stockholm playing for Boston University, ranked 9th in America by the latest USCHO.com poll. Forsbacka-Karlsson's 16 assists are tied for 12th among freshmen, so he's definitely making a mark. Watch for him to become a notable prospect in a few years.
Round 2, 52nd overall: Jeremy Lauzon, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL)
The last of six Bruins picks in the top two rounds of the draft, Lauzon is scoring at a point-per-game pace during his first season after the draft. Despite playing 34 games so far during the season compared to 60 games from his last season, he's already a point over last year's total. Though he's scored just five goals, his 32 assists are in the top ten among QMJHL D-men.
Round 3, 75th overall: Daniel Vladar, Chicago Steel (USHL)
Vladar was one of the top goalies coming into the 2015 Draft, but common wisdom ("don't draft a goalie in the first round") and common sense prevented him from occupying a higher draft slot. But in the third round, the Bruins (already deep in net) picked Vladar, a big but raw Czech goalie praised for his athleticism. Vladar has been splitting time with Michigan State commit John Lethmenon and has posted a .922 save percentage in 19 games.
Round 4, 105th overall: Jesse Gabrielle, Prince George Cougars (WHL)
Another Bruins pick who found himself on the move this season; Gabrielle's style of play has been compared to Brad Marchand. His 35 goals and 67 points are impressive given his 57 games, but his 86 penalty minutes also show that Brad Marchand comparisons may be accurate. Like Marchand, Gabrielle leads his team in goals.
Round 6, 165th overall: Cameron Hughes, University of Wisconsin (NCAA)
At 5'10'', Hughes is considered undersized, especially for a hockey player. He struggled on a Wisconsin Badgers team that went 4-25-5, tied with the American International School and Princeton for the fewest wins in college hockey. Still, in what has been a common thread with the Bruins' 2015 Draft, the Bruins liked his skating and passing ability enough to take him in the sixth round.
Round 7, 195th overall: Jack Becker, Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL)
Drafted from Minnesota's famed high school circuit, Becker dominated his high school peers with 47 points in 23 games before transferring to the USHL's Sioux Falls Stampede. There's been a bit of an adjustment period (which probably comes from playing players as old as 21), and he's scored just five goals in 40 games. But he's definitely an intriguing prospect to watch when he makes the jump from the USHL to college puck next season.
IN CONCLUSION
The Bruins draft class is puzzling and it's impossible to tell whether Don Sweeney's gambles in the first round will pay off. But if there's one thing to say about these prospects, it's that they all could have amazing upside. This is a pretty bang-or-bust group.
Round 1, 13th overall: Jakub Zboril, Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)
A big defenceman hailing from the Czech Republic, Zboril has only scored four goals in 35 games, which is definitely a big departure from his 13 goals in 44 games last year, but his shooting percentage is six points down this season, and that probably isn't sustainable. But Zboril has a good role on his team as a quality defensive defenceman who can start a scoring chance on the other side of the rink.
Round 1, 14th overall: Jake DeBrusk, Red Deer Rebels (WHL)
Traded from the Swift Current Broncos to the Red Deer Rebels in the midst of an 11-game stretch where he didn't have any multiple-point games, DeBrusk has had a disappointing season. Despite his change of scenery, DeBrusk hasn't really improved his performance from when he was with Swift Current. The Rebels are 35-19-1, but I don't think much of that record can be attributed to DeBrusk.
Round 1, 15th overall: Zachary Senyshyn, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
Don Sweeney surprised many Bruins fans (not the first time that sentence has been uttered, by the way) by picking Zach Senyshyn, projected to go in the second or even the third round. But so far, his blazing fast skating and his shot that "explodes off his stick" according to McKeen's hockey have earned him 33 goals in 52 games - though just 16 assists shows that he might need some work on his playmaking - first on his team by a wide margin and tied for 7th in the entire league.
Round 2, 37th overall: Brandon Carlo, Tri-City Americans (WHL)
Carlo, along with Zboril was among the first Bruins picks that were actually signed to a contract. At 6'5'', he's got size, as well as speed and what scouts call "hockey IQ". 19 points in 36 games aren't exactly superstar numbers, but it isn't horrible. Plus, his 17 assists nearly equal his 19 assists from last season in 27 less games.
Round 2, 45th overall: Jakob Forsbacka-Karlsson, Boston University (NCAA)
"JFK", a rearguard hailing from Stockholm playing for Boston University, ranked 9th in America by the latest USCHO.com poll. Forsbacka-Karlsson's 16 assists are tied for 12th among freshmen, so he's definitely making a mark. Watch for him to become a notable prospect in a few years.
Round 2, 52nd overall: Jeremy Lauzon, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL)
The last of six Bruins picks in the top two rounds of the draft, Lauzon is scoring at a point-per-game pace during his first season after the draft. Despite playing 34 games so far during the season compared to 60 games from his last season, he's already a point over last year's total. Though he's scored just five goals, his 32 assists are in the top ten among QMJHL D-men.
Round 3, 75th overall: Daniel Vladar, Chicago Steel (USHL)
Vladar was one of the top goalies coming into the 2015 Draft, but common wisdom ("don't draft a goalie in the first round") and common sense prevented him from occupying a higher draft slot. But in the third round, the Bruins (already deep in net) picked Vladar, a big but raw Czech goalie praised for his athleticism. Vladar has been splitting time with Michigan State commit John Lethmenon and has posted a .922 save percentage in 19 games.
Round 4, 105th overall: Jesse Gabrielle, Prince George Cougars (WHL)
Another Bruins pick who found himself on the move this season; Gabrielle's style of play has been compared to Brad Marchand. His 35 goals and 67 points are impressive given his 57 games, but his 86 penalty minutes also show that Brad Marchand comparisons may be accurate. Like Marchand, Gabrielle leads his team in goals.
Round 6, 165th overall: Cameron Hughes, University of Wisconsin (NCAA)
At 5'10'', Hughes is considered undersized, especially for a hockey player. He struggled on a Wisconsin Badgers team that went 4-25-5, tied with the American International School and Princeton for the fewest wins in college hockey. Still, in what has been a common thread with the Bruins' 2015 Draft, the Bruins liked his skating and passing ability enough to take him in the sixth round.
Round 7, 195th overall: Jack Becker, Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL)
Drafted from Minnesota's famed high school circuit, Becker dominated his high school peers with 47 points in 23 games before transferring to the USHL's Sioux Falls Stampede. There's been a bit of an adjustment period (which probably comes from playing players as old as 21), and he's scored just five goals in 40 games. But he's definitely an intriguing prospect to watch when he makes the jump from the USHL to college puck next season.
IN CONCLUSION
The Bruins draft class is puzzling and it's impossible to tell whether Don Sweeney's gambles in the first round will pay off. But if there's one thing to say about these prospects, it's that they all could have amazing upside. This is a pretty bang-or-bust group.