The Boston Bruins made some strategic moves in the fourth round of the NHL Entry Draft, armed with picks 104, 111, and 122, and they certainly made them count.
First up at pick 104, the Bruins tapped into the Russian talent pool by selecting winger Matvei Kotkov. At just 17, Kotkov has already shown resilience and skill, overcoming an early-season injury in the MHL to post impressive numbers.
After returning to the ice, he notched 14 goals and 31 points over 34 games. But it was during the playoffs where he truly shined, racking up 9 goals and 15 points in 18 games, leading his team to the Kharlamov Cup victory, and earning the Playoff MVP title.
Kotkov may be on the smaller side, but his shot is something to behold.
As the clock ticked down for pick 111, the Bruins made a savvy trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins, sending the pick in exchange for pick 170 and a 2027 fourth-round pick that originally belonged to the Winnipeg Jets. This move effectively filled a gap in their draft lineup, giving them a sixth-round pick at 170, which they didn't have initially.
With pick 122, Boston went for Swedish flair, selecting Oscar Olsson from the Swedish Junior League. Olsson put up 14 goals and 30 points over 32 games, and added five goals in 12 playoff games, showcasing his knack for finding the back of the net.
The addition of Kotkov and Olsson bolsters the Bruins' depth on the wings, adding promising talent to their prospect pool. And the day isn't over for Boston yet; they still have picks 157, 170, and 216 to look forward to in the draft. The Bruins are clearly playing the long game, setting themselves up with a mix of immediate talent and future potential.
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Jack Edwards Is Finding His Voice Again In A Way Bruins Fans Never Expected
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The technology has already shown up in a meaningful public moment, too, giving Edwards a way to deliver remarks without relying entirely on his own changing speech. For Bruins fans who grew up with his calls, it is a striking reminder that even after the broadcast booth, Edwards is still trying to keep a familiar voice in the conversation, and he is doing it in a way that leaves plenty of curiosity about what comes next. [Read more 🡒]