“No, that’s not 100%,” Sweeney said about retaining the first-round pick, according to team-provided video. “Ideally, we’ve provided a shock to the scouting staff in a good way. We’re happy to get back in the first round, see the players, the board, and decide whether or not we move back.”
While moving up in the draft is unlikely, the Bruins are open to trading down if the right deal presents itself. Boston hasn’t had a first-round pick since 2021, when they selected Fabian Lysell with the 21st overall pick.
“Unlikely for us to move up, but you never rule it out because there might be a player our guys are excited about. Getting back to the top part of the draft was important for us,” Sweeney told reporters.
The pick acquired in the Ullmark trade was originally sent to the Detroit Red Wings as part of the package for Tyler Bertuzzi in the 2022-23 season. Detroit then traded the pick to Ottawa as part of the Alex DeBrincat deal last offseason.
Despite starting the year without a draft pick before the fourth round, the Bruins’ scouting staff has been prepared to select a player early in the draft.
“(The scouting staff) works hard regardless,” Sweeney said. “Sometimes you don’t feel like you’ve given them enough reward for the amount of work they do and the ground they cover despite not necessarily seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.”
Boston is not targeting any specific position heading into the draft but is open to filling a positional need if it aligns with their strategy.
“We’re going to try and find the best player we possibly can,” Sweeney said. “There’s always an eye towards positional needs if it presents itself, but it’s a dangerous prospect to go into the draft thinking you’re just targeting a particular position.”
With the late addition of an early pick, the Bruins hope to continue their recent success in the draft, which has produced players like Lysell and John Beecher.
Leave a Reply