Bruins Draft Review

Here is my draft review for the Bruins.

1st round (16th overall)- A pick they could have traded for a proven forward, they selected C Joe Colborne.  Colborne has been compared to as Joe Thornton, and by many scouts is considered a miss or hit prospect.  Colborne is expected to return to his team this season and won't be competing for a job until the 2010 or 2011 season.  Colborne was not the fan favorite pick, many hoping they would go for defense.  My opinion is, with the lack of scoring on the team and the log jam at prospects who could crack the big club, the Bruins took a chance on a guy in 3-5 years could be a world-class talent.  

2nd round (47th overall)- The Bruins chose another center, Maxime Sauve.  Sauve is a long term project who could become a solid center.  Sauve is a smooth skater and has good stick work.  

3rd round (77th overall)- The Bruins selected G Michael Hutchinson.  A goalie for the future.  With Rask, Sigalet as the only two youngsters in the system, the Bruins added another one.  Hutchinson played well for the Barrie Colts of the OHL and stepped up his game in the playoffs, with a .941 save percentage.  

4th round (97th overall)- The Bruins traded their 4th and 5th round pick to Columbus to draft C Jamie Arniel.  I am telling you, in 6 years Arniel will be a fan favorite.  This guy is a Bruin.  He was ranked highly by the Bruins, which is why they traded up to get him.  

6th round (173rd overall)- The Bruins selected C Nicholas Tremblay.  He is offensively gifted, scoring 110 points, 51 goals and 59 assists in 51 games in the QJAHL.  Again, he is another long term prospect.

7th round (197th overall)- The Bruins selected C Mark Goggin.  He is a high school kid going to Dartmouth.  He is a long term project, and it remains to be seen what his skills really are.

Overall, the Bruins did not draft one defenseman, but don't be worried, they have plenty of young defensemen in Lashoff, Stuart, McQuaid, Wideman, and Alberts.  No need to draft them this year.  And for all the centers, many of these guys will end up wingers.  Many prospects come out as centers, but eventually switch positions.  The Bruins have a lot of long term projects in this draft, no one who immediately can help the team, but they also got Blake Wheeler, who was a 5th overall choice a few years back. My overall draft grade is a B for the Bruins.