Top prospects for Boston Bruins

NHL.com is providing in-depth prospect analysis for each of its 32 teams from Aug. 8-Sept. 8. Today, the top five prospects for the Boston Bruins, according to NHL.com.

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1. Fabian Lysell, F

How acquired:Selected with No. 21 pick in 2021 NHL Draft
2021-22 season: Vancouver (WHL): 53 GP, 22-40-62
Lysell offers a lot of what the Bruins are lacking in their NHL team, which may herald an arrival as soon as this season. The 19-year-old has speed, skating ability and scoring potential.
Lysell (5-foot-10, 173 pounds) made great strides last season with Vancouver in the Western Hockey League and was a big factor in its history-making run in the playoffs last season, when it upset top-seeded Everett in the first round. He finished the playoffs with 21 points (four goals, 17 assists) in 12 games.
"We're very happy with the way he progressed as the year went on," Bruins director of player development Jamie Langenbrunner said. "He grew and grew and then his playoff run, the most important time of the year, he was playing his best hockey. He really put that team on his back. He's a great kid. He's going to be a good player."
Projected NHL arrival:This season

2. Jack Studnicka, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 53 pick in 2017 NHL Draft
2021-22 season:Boston (NHL): 15 GP, 0-3-3; Providence (AHL): 41 GP, 10-25-35
This is truly a make-or-break season for the 23-year-old, who has seemingly been on the cusp for years.
Studnicka (6-2, 186) has played 37 NHL games but has yet to stick, with seven points (one goal, six assists). The Bruins are hoping that Studnicka can fulfill his promise and, on July 23, signed him to a two-year contract. The deal is two-way for this season and one-way in 2023-24.
"His game's maturing. It's rounding out," Providence coach Ryan Mougenel said. "He's got to watch the puck go in the net. He's got to get touches. He's got to play with confidence. He's done everything we've ever asked him to do. We asked him to get bigger, we asked him to get stronger. He's done those things. Now it's his time."
Projected NHL arrival:This season

3. Mason Lohrei, D

How acquired:Selected with No. 58 pick in 2020 NHL Draft
2021-22 season:Ohio State (NCAA): 31 GP, 4-25-29
The 21-year-old impressed at Ohio State last season and will be returning there for 2022-23. His poise with the puck is particularly notable, especially for a defenseman of his size (6-4, 195).
"I think he took a big step this year on the defensive side of his game," Bruins player development coordinator Adam McQuaid said. "He wants to work at that. He knows he has to work at that. Stick details have really improved.
"A really interesting combination to have that size with that offensive ability and the commitment to want to continue to get better defensively. There's a lot of hope for him. An exciting prospect for us."
Projected NHL arrival: Next season

4. John Beecher, F

How acquired:Selected with No. 30 pick in 2019 NHL Draft
2021-22 season:Providence (AHL): 9 GP, 3-2-5; University of Michigan (NCAA): 34 GP, 6-9-15
Beecher (6-3, 210) has dipped in the Bruins prospect rankings, partially because of injuries and partially because with some uber-talented offensive players at Michigan, the forward has fallen down the depth chart.
"Kind of put in more of a defensive situation and the encouraging part of that was his details got a lot better," McQuaid said. "He got better on draws. He was good defensively. He killed penalties. … He's a big guy that can skate, and when he's physical he can be a force."
Projected NHL arrival:Next season

5. Georgii Merkulov, F

How acquired: Signed as undrafted free agent April 9
2021-22 season:Providence (AHL): 8 GP, 1-4-5; Ohio State (NCAA): 36 GP, 20-14-34
Merkulov (5-11, 181) had a very good showing offensively in his freshman season at Ohio State, then signed a three-year, entry-level contact with the Bruins. The 21-year-old has shown a high skill level, but needs improvement defensively.
"Super skilled. Pretty competitive," McQuaid said. "We had him in Providence at the end of the year. Fairly seamless transition. Obviously still working on details in [the defensive] part of his game for sure, but the skill level is there. Things that you can't teach."
Projected NHL arrival:Next season