The 2015 NHL Entry Draft is a point of contention for Boston Bruins fans, particularly when revisiting the team's selections. With three consecutive first-round picks, the Bruins had a golden opportunity to bolster their prospect pool. However, the results have been mixed, leading many to believe that the Bruins could have made better choices.
The 2015 Draft: An Overview
The 2015 NHL Entry Draft took place on June 26, 2015, at the BB&T Center in Paradise, Florida. Connor McDavid was the first overall pick, selected by the Edmonton Oilers. The Bruins entered the draft with three consecutive first-round picks (13th, 14th, and 15th overall). This was a result of trades that sent Milan Lucic to the Los Angeles Kings and Dougie Hamilton to the Calgary Flames.
The Bruins' First-Round Picks
With their three first-round picks, the Bruins selected:
- Jakub Zboril (13th overall): A defenseman from the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). While Zboril had a decent junior career, he struggled to establish himself as a consistent NHL player. He has appeared in 70 NHL games, recording 14 points.
- Jake DeBrusk (14th overall): A left winger who was a 40-goal scorer in junior. DeBrusk has been the most successful of the three, becoming a regular NHL player. Through the 2022-23 season, he has 114 goals and 106 assists in 372 games for the Bruins.
- Zachary Senyshyn (15th overall): A forward who also played in the OHL. Senyshyn struggled to find his footing in the NHL, playing only 16 career games with one goal and two assists.
Missed Opportunities
The Bruins' 2015 draft is often criticized because of the talent that was available immediately after their selections. Some of the players selected soon after Senyshyn who have become stars include:
- Mathew Barzal (16th overall): Barzal has been a phenomenal player for the New York Islanders, leading the team in scoring since 2017 and becoming a cornerstone of the franchise.
- Kyle Connor (17th overall): Connor, a left winger, was picked by the Winnipeg Jets and has become a consistent goal scorer in the NHL.
- Thomas Chabot (18th overall): Chabot has been a key defenseman for the Ottawa Senators, signing a long-term contract extension.
- Brock Boeser (23rd overall): Boeser has been a consistent offensive threat for the Vancouver Canucks.
Later Round Selections
The Bruins also had multiple picks in the later rounds of the 2015 draft. Some notable selections include:
- Brandon Carlo (37th overall): A defenseman who has become a mainstay on the Bruins' blue line.
- Daniel Vladar (75th overall): A goaltender who played a few games for the Bruins before being traded to the Calgary Flames.
However, the Bruins also missed out on some talented players in the later rounds, such as Sebastian Aho (35th overall), Roope Hintz (49th overall), Anthony Cirelli (72nd overall) and Andrew Mangiapane (166th overall).
Conclusion
While Jake DeBrusk has become a solid NHL player, the Bruins' 2015 draft is largely viewed as a missed opportunity. With three consecutive first-round picks in a deep draft, the Bruins could have added more high-end talent to their roster. The success of players like Barzal, Connor, and Chabot, who were drafted immediately after the Bruins' selections, further highlights the potential of what could have been.
