BOSTON, Ma – Picking at number 14 of this year’s NHL Entry Draft is the Boston Bruins. After two years of late season collapses, the Bruins have a lot on their list to sure up. The Bruins allowed 230 goals last season, which was 19th in the league. The Bruins have some big questions entering this off-season, one of which is their goaltending situation. They have a back log of solid goaltending prospects that may still need some time to develop. After breaking his larynx this season, all eyes will be on Malcolm Subban. The Bruins are hoping he will make the jump to the big club in a backup role.
Then there are questions about the amount of offensive prospects that dominate the Bruins system. Frank Vatrano, Seth Griffith, and Noel Acciari all made the jump to the big club, and all had success during the end of the year. But the Bruins offensive talent runs deep in their organization, along with veterans like Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron.
But the biggest question in the Bruins organization come with the depth of their young defensive talent. They have a stock of solid offensive players that could project to help the Bruins in the upcoming years. But they lack a raising young talented defenseman in their farm system.
At last year’s draft the Bruins took Jakub Zboril at number 13, who is a highly touted defensive prospect who played with the Saint Johns Sea Dogs in the QMJHL. This season Zboril had six goals and 20 points in 50 games and was part of the Czech Republic’s world juniors team. While the 19-year-old may still be a few years off from the NHL, he represents one of the best up and coming talents in the Bruins organization.
Tommy Cross, Ben Youds, and Colin Miller have all shown tremendous potential to make the jump the Bruins main roster. But with many of the Bruins defenseman returning next season, it looks like they may have to wait before they make an impact. Then there’s aging defenseman Zdeno Chara, who has slowed down over the last few seasons and is still looking for someone to pass the torch to.
“The quality of the draft is good. I saw some really, really impressive kids over the course of the last four days. With two (Bruins) picks in the first round and (another) in the second round, we’re going to get good players.” General manager Don Sweeney said after taking in the NHL Scouting Combine.
The Bruins sit right in the middle of the first round and will want to get a young puck moving defenseman at 14. Their best option seems to be Dante Fabbro of the Penticton Vees in the BCHL, who projects between middle and end of the first round. He is also committed to Boston University and will join them next season.
The Bruins love NCAA players and one who is right in their backyard will be hard of them to pass up. Fabbro is solid puck moving defenseman who could bring a good amount of offense when he eventually makes it to the pros.
“With the 14th pick in the NHL Entry Draft, the Boston Bruins are proud to select Dante Fabbro of the Pentiction Vees of the BCHL.”
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