They may not have had a first-round pick, but that didn’t stop the Boston Bruins from picking up some significant potential stars in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. General manager Don Sweeney made no trades throughout the weekend and stood pat at each draft position.
Here’s a quick analysis of each draft pick.
AXEL ANDERSSON: SECOND ROUND (NO. 57)
Shoots: Right
Position: Defenseman
Height/Weight: 6 feet, 181 lbs
Hometown: Järna, Sweden
Scouting Report: Andersson is a smooth-skating defenseman who joins the rush really well. His pro shot, great puck skills and great hands make for a prospect who the Bruins hope will someday make a big impact on the offensive end of the ice. He’s able to control the tempo of a game with his playmaking abilities and confidence with the puck on his stick.
His downside comes with his reads. There are times when he doesn’t read the opposing cycle in his own end correctly, as well as reads in the offensive zone. But to counter that, his catch-up speed is top notch.
This is the newest #NHLBruins draft choice: Axel Andersson dangles and scores for the beauty #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/Y1nw9tlChM
— Boston Bruins on CLNS (@BruinsCLNS) June 23, 2018
JAKUB LAUKO: THIRD ROUND (NO. 77)
Shoots: Left
Position: Center/Left wing
Height/Weight: 6 feet, 179 lbs
Hometown: Praha, Czech Republic
Scouting Report: Lauko has a great attitude and plays hungry. Many expected him to go much higher in the draft but he fell to the Bruins at number 77. His elite straight-line speed and hard shot set him apart from other forwards in the draft. According to scouts, he’s guaranteed at least one breakaway per game. Overall, he’s a dynamic force and is solid in his own zone.
Look for him to be one of the steals of the draft.
With the 77th pick in #NHLDraft, #NHLBruins select forward Jakub Lauko. Look at this beauty pic.twitter.com/fE7vGwVSrb
— Boston Bruins on CLNS (@BruinsCLNS) June 23, 2018
CURTIS HALL: FOURTH ROUND (NO. 119)
Shoots: Left
Position: C/LW
Height/Weight: 6-foot-3, 201 lbs
Hometown: Princeton, NJ
Scouting Report: Hall is a strong and powerful force on the ice. He’s widely-regarded as a two-way center and has solid speed for his size. He’s able to initiate odd-man rushes well and has good puck skills for the way he plays. He’s more known as a finisher than a playmaker. He’s good to put on the ice in penalty kills and late in games because of his instincts, size and speed.
And judging off of the video below, he’s got some serious lettuce growing.
Curtis Hall would like to say hello. #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/BtsQDSbcit
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) June 23, 2018
DUSTYN McFAUL: SIXTH ROUND (NO. 181)
Shoots: Left
Position: Defense
Height/Weight: 6-foot-2, 185 lbs
Hometown: Waterdown, Ontario
Scouting Report: At only 17-years-old, McFaul still has a lot of developing to do. He played with the Pickering Panthers of the OJHL for the 2017-18 campaign. For 2018-19, he’ll be playing for Clarkson University. He’s known as a mobile defenseman who uses their stick well and has a long reach.
#WelcomeToBoston, Dustyn! pic.twitter.com/XyipjMUVaT
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) June 23, 2018
PAVEL SHEN: SEVENTH ROUND (NO. 212)
Shoots: Left
Position: Forward
Height/Weight: 6-foot-1, 183 lbs
Hometown: Ufa, Russia
Scouting Report: Central Scouting had Shen ranked 22nd among all European skaters, so it was a big surprise when he fell to number 212. He’s very skilled and is known to not shy away from the dirty areas. He’s confident with the puck and has a high hockey IQ in offensive zone.
#WelcomeToBoston, Pavel! pic.twitter.com/7hsMCjJtpX
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) June 23, 2018
