With that accomplishment, the club’s last two first-round picks have graduated from prospect status and opened up some new spots on the top 10 list. Players up with the NHL club will be excluded from consideration here, but there is still plenty of talent in the system to pick from this season.
So with training camp now complete and the season ready to start, how do the Bruins’ top prospects stack up?
- 1
Preseason Rank: No. 2
Current Team: Providence (AHL)
Joe Colborne, CColborne’s first taste of NHL action was memorable for all the wrong reasons for the Bruins’ 2008 first-round pick, as he suffered a nasty facial injury from an errant stick in the first rookie game against the Islanders. He was forced to wear a full cage for much of camp and struggled getting comfortable with it. He didn’t have a point in two preseason games, but did come on late in camp and was one of the final cuts up front. He’ll log plenty of minutes in Providence and could be in line for a recall if he plays well there.
- 2
Preseason Rank: No. 7
Current Team: Peterborough (OHL)
Ryan Spooner, CSpooner was the most pleasant surprise in camp, displaying elite speed and smarts well beyond his years. He drew high praise from coach Claude Julien and outlasted all of the other junior eligible prospects except Seguin. Spooner scored both goals, including the game-winner in overtime, against the Islanders in the second rookie game at the Garden and picked up an assist in his first preseason game against Montreal. After his demotion, he continued to pile up points with 3-3-6 totals in his first three games with Peterborough.
- 3
Preseason Rank: No. 5
Current Team: London (OHL)
Jared Knight, C/RWLike Spooner, the speedy Knight built off a strong showing at this summer’s development camp with a solid first pro training camp. He didn’t have a point but was a plus-1 in his lone preseason game, and got stronger as that game went on and his nerves settled. Knight also didn’t pout when sent back to juniors. In fact, he took a cab from Detroit to London when he missed his connection after his flight from Boston was delayed. He made it to his game five minutes into the first period, and ended up scoring the only goal in the shootout to lift the London Knights to a 3-2 win. Overall, he has 2-1-3 totals in his first four games.
- 4
Preseason Rank: Unranked
Current Team: Providence (AHL)
Matt Bartkowski, DA first-year pro out of Ohio State, Bartkowski impressed the Bruins’ staff with his heady play and puck-moving skills throughout camp. After leading the club with four points (all assists) in four preseason games while posting a plus-3 rating, he made the trip to Europe with the big club, but was the final cut and will report to Providence when the Bruins return from Prague. It might not be a long stay in Providence though, as Bartkowski looks like he might not need much seasoning in the AHL to be ready to help Boston. His biggest barrier may be Boston’s existing depth on the blue line, but he’s in line for the first recall if injuries strike.
- 5
Preseason Rank: Unranked
Current Team: Providence (AHL)
Steve Kampfer, DKampfer, a first-year pro from the University of Michigan, continued his college rivalry with OSU’s Bartkowski, as the two matched each other stride for stride throughout camp battling for a spot on the Boston blue line. Kampfer was the final cut on defense before the team left for Europe, but definitely raised his stock with a strong camp. He had a goal but was a minus-1 in three preseason games.
- 6
Preseason Rank: No. 9
Current Team: Providence (AHL)
Max Sauve, C/LWSauve was last year’s Spooner, a somewhat less-heralded youngster who emerged as one of the most pleasant surprises with a strong camp. He wasn’t bad this time around, but didn’t have quite the same wow factor as he didn’t have a point and was minus-1 in two preseason games before being sent down. He’ll have a chance to continue his development with his first full year in Providence and remains one of Boston’s best forward prospects.
- 7
Preseason Rank: No. 6
Current Team: Prince Albert (WHL)
Ryan Button, DButton was another player who didn’t necessarily struggle in camp, but he didn’t show the same progress this year that he displayed in his first camp last year. His goal coming into camp was to get into a preseason game before going back to the Dub, but he once again didn’t get that chance. He still has plenty of time to develop as the 19-year-old returns for his fourth and likely final year of junior. He didn’t have a point in his first six games with the Raiders, but was a plus-3.
- 8
Preseason Rank: No. 8
Current Team: Providence (AHL)
Zach Hamill, CWith Marc Savard sidelined, this was Hamill’s best chance yet to stick with the big club, but he once again failed to earn a spot in Boston. Hamill has improved each season since turning pro in 2008, but the progress has been slower than the Bruins envisioned when they drafted him with the eighth overall pick in 2007. He had one assist and was a plus-1 in two preseason games before being cut late in camp.
- 9
Preseason Rank: No. 4
Current Team: Providence (AHL)
Yury Alexandrov, DAlexandrov has been hailed as the potential puck-moving defenseman the Bruins lack and with his professional experience in the KHL, he was expected to possibly push for a job in Boston in his first camp with the club. Those hopes were tempered when he showed up in less-than-stellar shape for development camp, and while he showed flashes in the main camp, it’s now obvious there’s still plenty of work the slender Russian needs to do before being NHL ready. He played in just one preseason game with no points and will get plenty of ice time in Providence, but Bartkowski and Kampfer have clearly passed him at this point.
- 10
Preseason Rank: Unranked
Current Team: Providence (AHL)
Jamie Arniel, RWAfter an inconsistent first season in Providence, Arniel showed plenty of progress in camp this year and should be on the Bruins’ radar for a possible call-up if he continues to make strides in Providence and injuries strike on the big club. He didn’t have a point in two preseason games, but didn’t look out of place playing against NHLers either.
