NHL Mock Draft Roundup: How Experts Project Bruins Pick Post-Lottery

The Bruins earned an unfortunate draft in the NHL draft lottery, but it’s still their highest pick since 2011.

Boston has the seventh-overall selection in this year’s draft. It was the lowest-possible pick it could have received in the lottery, but general manager Don Sweeney still expressed optimism for how he and his team could use the pick.

Multiple NHL experts were mixed on how the Bruins would use their first-round pick. Here is how they saw it following Monday’s draft lottery.

Fluto Shinzawa, The Athletic: C Jake O’Brien (Brantford, OHL)
Cory Woodroof, For The Win: C Roger McQueen (Brandon Wheat Kings, WHL)
James Dator, SB Nation: C Roger McQueen
Sam Cosentino, Sportsnet: D Jackson Smith (Tri-City Americans, WHL)
Steve Ellis, Daily Faceoff: C Brady Martin (Soo Greyhounds OHL)
Chris Martin, Flo Hockey: C Roger McQueen
Adam Kimelman, NHL.com: RW Porter Martone (Brampton, OHL)
Mike G. Morreale, NHL.com: RW Porter Martone

It’s important to note that things obviously will change throughout the pre-draft process, and opinions of experts will be unique based on how they see the top-six picks. However, McQueen was a popular pick following the draft lottery due to his skill set matching how the Bruins want to play.

“The Bruins need more offense, and McQueen has a high ceiling. He could technically go higher than this in the top 10, and he could fall altogether,” Woodroof wrote. “However, Boston takes him here and hopes he can pad the scoresheet for years to come. We know the fans at TD Garden would love to see a guy like McQueen in a Boston uniform.”

“Roger McQueen is a monster,” Dator wrote. “The 6’5 center lets his presence be known on the ice and gives me major Joe Thornton vibes in the middle. That might seem like incredibly high praise, but the potential is there. McQueen could become a vert special player.”

NHL.com came to a consensus with the Martone pick. They praised his decision-making with the puck and his high hockey IQ. They believe the right-shot forward can be “a powerful, game-breaking forward” down the line for Boston.

How do you want to see the Bruins use the No. 7 pick? Sound off in the comments.