INSIDE HOCKEY

One could go on and on questioning what the Peter Chiarelli run Bruins could do on draft day tomorrow. Are they going to trade Kessel? Will they package Marc Savard to get a top pick? Will they trade a lesser contract such as Chuck Kobasew for a second or third round pick? If you have read enough rumors over the years, you should be aware that the only sure thing when it comes to rumors of draft day dealings, is that you never know what will happen.

Therefore, in this draft preview, I am not going to try and guess who the Bruins might move up to get but instead, based on Chiarelli’s preferences (big bodied forwards) and organizational needs (wingers and puck moving defense) give you four players that should be around at pick #25 that could also be players of interest to Chiarelli and co. However, it would be impossible not to mention a guy who may require the Bruins to move up a bit, but could be the perfect fit: Chris Kreider.

Chris Kreider (Forward)

Kreider, a Massachusetts native, is a left-handed shot who, at 6’2 205 all ready has NHL size. Moreover, he is attending Boston College in the fall and thus could be much stronger by the time he enters the professional ranks. Kreider is incredibly skilled and has breakaway speed.

However, many teams are starting to notice Kreider’s potential and his draft stock is rising. That said, I see Kreider going before the 25th pick rolls around. Chiarelli however has already mentioned there is a player he would consider trading up for, and that guy very well may be Kreider.

Ethan Werek (Forward)

Despite being a little undersized at 6’0, Werek is the exact type of center Chiarelli covets. He plays both ends of the ice well and uses his hockey intelligence to the max. Moreover, he does the little things on the ice (such as crashing the net) well and fits the “tough to play against” mold well. That said, the Bruins are loaded at center, and unless they believe Werek’s success can translate to the wing, Chiarelli might skip over him.

Calvin de Haan (Defense)

de Haan is one of those coveted, undersized puck moving defenseman that are beginning to find permanent roles in the NHL. He is very similar to current Bruins prospect, Matt Hunwick, as he is undersized but skates extremely well. Similar to Hunwick, de Haan is a project player who is going to have to adjust to playing players that have NHL size. Therefore, if the Bruins are looking for more immediate help, de Haan may not be their guy.

David Rundblad (Defense, Sweden)

Rundblad has been on quite a rise in draft rankings. He has NHL size at 6’2, but is also a smooth-skating, puck-moving defenseman Rundblad’s offensive abilities are terrific right now, but could use some work in the defensive zone. However, the Bruins system works to keep it simple and would be a great place for Rundblad to develop better defensive play. I would expect, based on the Bruin’s lack of puck movers with good size, that if Rundblad is around at 25, he would be the pick. That said, based on the struggles the Bruins are enduring in trying to bring Swedish prospect Carl Soderberg over to North America, they may shy away from Europeans with their first round choice.

Jordan Caron (Forward, Rimouski Oceanic)

Caron, at 6’2, 200 pounds, plays with the reckless abandon that the Bruins love. Moreover, he has the NHL size Chiarelli covets. Chiarelli continually mentions his desire to get bigger up front. Well, not only is Caron big, he plays even bigger with his desire to crash the net and bang body. Moreover, Caron has soft hands and has put up numbers not unlike those of Milan Lucic in his time in the juniors.