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Welcome to the September 2024 edition of the DobberProspects 32-in-32 Series. This month, we are diving into the depth of each organization, looking at their recent graduates, risers, fallers and top-20 prospects. 

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The Boston Bruins enter the 2024–25 season with a mix of uncertainty and optimism. Following a 26-point decline compared to the previous season, paired with an early playoff exit in the second round, the Bruins are determined to prove they are a contending team and can make it further in the playoffs than just the first round. Last season was the start of a transitioning roster, and with the departure of Bergeron and Krejci, young players like Matthew Poitras and Mason Lohrei proved they deserve a spot on the team. This year, more young prospects are going to try to impress, such as Fabian Lysell and Georgii Merkulov. The veteran core of Pastrnak, Marchand, and McAvoy continues to provide high-level performance and leadership for these new young guns. The additions of Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov should help the team quite a lot, as defense and center depth were what seemed like the missing pieces last year. 

One issue resides in Swayman’s contract situation. It is already late August, and it seems both parties are not getting much closer, as Swayman is looking for around $10 million, while the Bruins only have $8.6 million left of cap space. Although Swayman is determined to stay in Boston, he seems even more determined to not settle until they offer a number closer to his demand. 

Graduating Players

Graduating to the NHL 

Fabian Lysell, RW:

This year is the defining year for Lysell, with the departure of a few wingers, and after two seasons of marinating in the AHL, he scored 15 goals and 50 points in 56 games in the 2023-2024 season. He seems ready to take the next step but needs to show his talents during training camp and the preseason games to secure a top-nine and, hopefully, a top-six role, as he will be competing against NHL-experienced Morgan Geekie and Trent Frederic. It is exciting to imagine him getting a chance, maybe on the second line or even on the third, with potentially another young prospect, Matthew Poitras.

Georgii Merkulov, C/RW

After another good year playing for Providence, fifth in scoring in the AHL with 65 points in 67 games, Merkulov seems to have shown his worth in the AHL and will be looking to impress during camp to settle a spot as a center on the fourth line. The Bruins are not just looking for him to help put the puck in the net; they also want him to prove he can play solidly on the defensive side of the ice. 

Graduating from CHL/College/Europe to the AHL

Jackson Edward, D:

Edward was a seventh-round pick in the 2022 NHL entry draft, but he has developed quite nicely and will find a spot as a bottom-pairing defenseman in Providence for the upcoming season. There is only one word needed to describe Edward: Violent. He hits hard, plays a tough game, and seems to be ready to take the next step and play against the pros.

Risers

Oskar Jellvik, LW/C:

Jellvik got a massive increase in scoring last season, from 17 points in 34 games in 2022-2023 to 42 points in 41 games in 2023-2024. He seemed much more comfortable with the puck, however this increase in production is not just Jellvik’s progression, but he also spent the whole season on Cutter Gauthier’s line, a prolific goal-scorer who was second in scoring in the NCAA. It will be interesting to see if Jellvik can keep up his production to a certain level even with the departure of Gauthier. That said, his stock did rise quite a bit since his draft year.

Dans Locmelis, C:

Locmelis had a slow start in the NCAA this year, but after leading the Latvian U20 team in the WJC with 5 points in 5 games, he showed great leadership skills and that he can be a difference-maker. He will be looking to prove he can score more in the NCAA, as he already has pro habits and a good defensive game, he just needs to produce a little more. 

Frederic Brunet, D:

Brunet split the 2022-2023 season as a defenseman and a center, however in his first year playing pro in the AHL, he amounted to 12 points in 48 games playing defense. He played a lot of minutes, maybe even too many, but he handled it well, and he will most likely get a jump in production next season and could even possibly be a call-up option for Boston. 

Fallers

Brandon Bussi, G:

After a good 2022-2023 season with a .924 save percentage and a 2.40 GAA, we saw a decrease last year, as he went a .913 save percentage and a 2.67 GAA and although it is a decent jump, his numbers are still not too bad, and we could still see him in the NHL in the upcoming season.

Organizational Depth Chart

(Combination of NHL readiness and upside)

(4 players per position) 

Left Wing

John Beecher

Oskar Jellvik

Beckett Hendrickson

Brett Harrison 

Center 

Dean Letourneau 

John Farinacci

Dans Locmelis

Christopher Pelosi

Right Wing

Fabian Lysell 

Georgii Merkulov

Defense 

Frederic Brunet

Jackson Edward

Elliot Groenewold 

Jonathan Myrenberg

Goalie

Brandon Bussi

Michael DiPietro

Philip Svedebäck

Top 20 Fantasy Prospects 

This section is intended to paint a picture of the Boston Bruins prospects whose current trajectory projects them to make the most positive fantasy impact at the time that they reach the NHL. Arrival date and NHL certainty have been taken into consideration. However, a player’s potential upside is the most important factor in determining this list. 

1. Dean Letourneau 
2. Fabian Lysell 
3. Georgii Merkulov
4. Oskar Jellvik 
5. John Farinacci 
6. Beckett Hendrickson
7. Frederic Brunet
8. Dans Locmelis
9. Brett Harrison 
10. Brandon Bussi
11. Riley Duran
12. Philip Svedeback 
13. Jackson Edward
14. Elliot Groenewald
15. Christopher Pelosi
16. Trevor Kuntar
17. Andre Gasseau
18. Jonathan Myrenberg
19. Luke Toporowski 
20. Jonathan Morello

Kind regards,

Anthony Vincens