NHL Mock Draft roundup: Expert predictions for Bruins’ second-round pick originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
The 2022 NHL Draft is an important one for the Boston Bruins, even though they don’t own a first-round pick.
Boston’s prospect pool ranks among the worst in the league. It needs a huge infusion of depth and high-end talent at every position.
2022 NHL Draft: Analyzing Bruins’ biggest needs with their six picks
The position that needs the most work is center. Patrice Bergeron is the only legit top-six center in the entire organization. No other center at the NHL level, the AHL level or throughout the system projects to be a first- or second-line caliber center. The Bruins also haven’t drafted many centers with high picks in recent years, with John Beecher (30th overall, 2019) being the only one taken with a first- or second-round selection since 2018.
The Bruins’ draft will start in the second round with the No. 54 overall pick. Their next pick is at No. 91 overall (third round), which was acquired from the Calgary Flames in the Daniel Vladar trade last year. Boston doesn’t have its own third-rounder because it was included in the Mike Reilly deal before the 2021 trade deadline.
Here’s a roundup of expert predictions for the Bruins’ second-round pick. Unsurprisingly, many of these mock drafts have the Bruins targeting multiple centers.
Corey Pronman, The Athletic: Calle Odelius, D, Djurgarden Jr. (Sweden-Jr.)
Brandon Share Cohen, The Hockey Writers: Hunter Haight, C, Barrie Colts (OHL)
Tankathon: Aleksanteri Kaskimäki, C, HIFK U-20 (Finland)
MyNHLDraft.com: Matyas Sapovaliv, C, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
