Watch ‘Intriguing’ Potential Bruins Draft Target Score Jaw-Dropping Goal

While the Bruins are still technically in the playoff hunt, the unfortunate reality for the Black and Gold is the time for looking into the future has arrived.

The Bruins leaned into that as much as they sensibly could at the NHL trade deadline by unloading veterans like Brad Marchand, Charlie Coyle and Brandon Carlo. Shipping off that sort of talent and experience typically precedes a dropoff, and Boston has been no different. The Bruins have lost six straight after an ugly 7-2 loss to the Kings on Sunday night. The B’s were outscored 15-4 in the first three games of a pivotal road trip.

If Boston can’t find a magical elixir for a 10-game turnaround to get into the playoffs, its attention will turn to the NHL draft. As it stands right now, the Bruins are slotted into the eighth pick, a spot that gives them a 6% chance of landing the No. 1 pick in the lottery. The Bruins also have played more games than five of the seven teams in front of them, so if they don’t get right, their pick could move up the board with improved chances to earn the top selection.

If that didn’t happen, though, and the Bruins were locked into the No. 8 spot, they’d still have a chance to land a very good player. According to those who follow prospects closely, this is a top-heavy draft, so if there’s a year to be in the lottery, this is a good one.

Which brings us to Roger McQueen. Despite having an awesome name that would make him an immediate fan favorite, particularly for fans of a certain age (kachow!), McQueen has legitimate talent. The 6-foot-5, 193-pound center is having another fine season for the Brandon Wheat Kings in the WHL. McQueen has 10 goals and 10 assists in 17 games, and that includes a highlight-reel goal you have to see to believe from this weekend.

Jaw-dropping finish aside, it’s encouraging for teams up top to see a prospect like McQueen producing at that level after an injury cost him time earlier in the season.

If Tankathon.com’s mock draft is to be believed, McQueen should at least be getting familiar with the idea of trading in his Brandon black and gold for Boston black and gold. Tankathon has the Bruins drafting him with the eighth pick,

NeutralZone.com labeled McQueen a “highly intriguing prospect” for the 2025 draft. He’s apparently not afraid to use his size, and he’s more than willing to go to the front of the net where his physical frame is also a major weapon. According to that one scouting report, he needs to improve his skating ability, but that is the sort of thing that can easily be fixed in a hurry in a professional environment.

NHL mock drafts are slightly more difficult to come by than, say, an NFL mock, so you really have to dive in to find more information. An NHL.com mock draft from earlier this season had McQueen going No. 6 with both NHL.com contributors — Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale — mocking McQueen to that spot.

Kimelman called McQueen “the most intriguing player in this draft” (there’s that word again), who “checks every ox a team would want in a potential franchise center.”

Again, until the math says otherwise, the Bruins will focus on trying to get into the playoffs. If they can’t, seeing that sort of play from a top prospect like McQueen offers a reminder of the sort of player you can get at the top of the draft. You just have to make sure you make the most of your chances when you’re up there.

The NHL draft lottery is May 7 with the first round of the draft coming June 27 in Los Angeles.