Barring a trade to acquire a higher draft pick, The Boston Bruins head into the 2023 NHL Entry Draft without a first or second-round pick. The Bruins used their first-round pick in a trade with Washington for defenseman Dmitry Orlov and forward Garnet Hathaway. Then they traded their second-round pick in part of a package to Detroit for forward Tyler Bertuzzi before last season’s trade deadline. After a disappointing first-round loss to the Florida Panthers that ended a historic season, all three of those players are unrestricted free agents. The Bruins are left with their first selection on day two of the draft when they will pick 92nd overall in the third round.
Related Page: 2023 NHL Draft Hub
With a prospect pool that is thin but improving and an aging core that could see Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci retire and Brad Marchand potentially play his final two seasons with the club, the Bruins will need to continue to develop young talent to fill gaps in the roster in the years to come. Forwards Fabian Lysell, Georgii Merkulov, defenseman Mason Lohrei could be ready as early as this season, and young goaltender Brandon Bussi. Bottom-six forwards John Beecher and Marc Mclaughlin could see time as well. But without picks in the first two rounds this year and with zero picks until the fourth round (first-rounder top-ten protected) in 2024, the Bruins will have to either make their mark on the college free-agent scene or trade back into these drafts. Either way, General Manager Don Sweeney will need to show some creativity.
So what could the 92nd pick in the draft bring? Let’s look at the history. The Bruins have chosen 92nd just one time in their 99-year existence. In 2019, Boston selected Minnesota-Duluth forward Quinn Olson at pick 92. Olson played four seasons at Duluth and totaled 75 points. The Bruins did not sign Olson, who attended their development camps in the past.
How about the 92nd pick in NHL history? There have to be some diamonds in the rough that went on to illustrious careers. Well, since 1983, the players chosen 92nd overall have played a total of 1,946 career NHL career games. The only notable player is New York Islanders’ 2009 draft pick Casey Cizikas who has played 745 regular season games with 97 goals and 222 points. In 75 postseason games, the Toronto native has registered 18 points.
The next most “notable” 92nd pick is Minnesota North Stars’ 1990 draft pick Enrico Ciccone. Ciccone was a true enforcer, playing 374 games with seven different teams and totaling 28 points with 1,469 penalty minutes. That type of player doesn’t exist anymore.
Regarding the Bruins third round success in franchise history, there is room for optimism. Trevor Kuntar (2020) was chosen in the third round and played most recently for Boston College. After recovering from elbow surgery, the gritty winger projects to play for the Providence Bruins in the American Hockey League this season. If he is not included in a trade, Jakub Lauko (2018) will surely see time with the Bruins this season. Goaltender Daniel Vladar (2015) is currently on the Calgary Flames roster and was traded by the Bruins for a third-round pick. In 2012, the Bruins drafted defenseman Matt Grzelcyk out of Boston University in the third round. The smooth-skating blue liner has played 382 career regular season games with Boston and has totaled 124 points. And then there is the Bruins’ best third-round pick of all. In 2006, Boston selected forward Brad Marchand, who has recently become one of the top Bruins players with 862 points in 947 games and an eye-popping plus-290 career rating.
The Bruins will be able to select the next great Bruin on June 29, but fans should not get their hopes up. For every Brad Marchand, there are 20 Peter Cehlariks.
