As the 2024-25 season approaches, the Boston Bruins have created competition for a few roster spots. Second-line right-wing and fourth-line forwards are needed, and several players will compete to crack the lineup on opening night. Training camp will also showcase several prospects in the Bruins’ system as the organization looks to replenish a recently depleted prospect pool. The Bruins Benders Podcast has ranked the top 30 Bruins’ prospects, and here is the countdown, beginning with the bottom ten rated from 25 to 21.
25 – Casper Nassen – Forward – Miami of Ohio (NCAA)
Nassen was a seventh-round draft pick in 2023 and wielded a heavy shot that helped him score 16 goals last season with Frolunda of the J20 Nationell in the Swedish League. The 6-foot-4, 205-pound winger will play at the University of Miami (OH) this season, his first taste of North American hockey.
24 – Elliott Groenewold – Defenseman – Quinnipiac University (NCAA)
Groenewold was drafted in the fourth round of the 2024 NHL Draft. The aggressive defenseman has some offensive ability, which was on display at the Bruins’ development camp this summer. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound blue liner played for the Dubuque Fighting Saints in the USHL last season and contributed 16 points in 57 games.
23 – Ryan Bischel – Goaltender – Providence Bruins (AHL)
Bischel was signed by Boston at the end of his fifth season at Notre Dame. The Hobey Baker nominee posted a 2.58 goals against average and a .924 save percentage last season. The 25-year-old netminder will fight for time in Providence with Brandon Bussi and Michael DiPietro and could see some action at Maine with the Mariners of the ECHL.
22 – Kristian Kostadinski – Defenseman – Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL)
Kostadinski is a big, physical defenseman who served as captain with Frolunda of the J20 Nationell in Sweden. The 6-foot-6, 220-pound blue liner scored three goals with 15 assists in 46 games and was a seventh-round pick in 2023 by the Bruins. The 19-year-old will join Dubuque this season and is an intriguing prospect for Boston.
21 – Alec Regula – Defenseman – Providence Bruins (AHL)
Regula came to Boston from Chicago in a trade for Taylor Hall and Nick Foligno. The 24-year-old has NHL experience and posted an impressive +36 rating last season with Providence. The 6-foot-4, 207-pound blue liner was a third-round draft pick of the Detroit Red Wings in 2018 and could be someone who fills injury needs in Boston this season.
The Bruins have dipped into the college free-agent pool recently as they have been without high-level draft picks. There are a few intriguing players towards the bottom of their prospect group as the 2024-25 hockey season begins. Prospects 16-20 article is coming soon! Tune into the Bruins Benders Podcast on the Inside The Rink Youtube Channel!
