2010-2011 Total Bruins Draft Picks Refresher

Someone on another forum was asking about Boston's total picks in 2010 and 2011, so I thought I'd go ahead and post a refresher here.

It can't be stated enough that, even though 2011 isn't projected as a strong draft at present, that having the amount of picks that Boston currently possesses (and owning a pair from Toronto and Minnesota, neither of whom are expected to be powers next season), the Bruins have a chance to continue to stock a prospects stable that is pretty good right now.

Boston's obvious needs are on defense and the wing (and adding a top-end netminder wouldn't be a bad draft move either, but the B's shouldn't reach at that position); you'll see them address those needs this coming June, but with four more potential top-50 picks in 2011, they'll keep adding talent with a maximum total of 19 picks in the next two years if Dan Paille doesn't score 16 goals this year and no other trades involving picks are made (not likely to happen).

Bruins Assistant GM Don Sweeney put it to me this way when I spoke to him last week for my annual Bruins Top-10 Prospect Review for the New England Hockey Journal:

"The lifeline for our organization going forward will be drafting and player development."

Pay close attention to that remark. While GM Peter Chiarelli may be enticed to deal away a high pick or two in pursuit of a veteran player who can help get the Bruins more solidly into contention between now and the June draft, the organization isn't about to give away the store, especially since 2010 is shaping up as such a strong crop. I would expect any deals involving multiple picks to reflect a mix of 2010 and 2011 lottery selections.

Everyone in Boston, like Sweeney, understands that to win in this league, you've got to get your drafting and player development right, and while Boston has very good organizational depth at center, they really need to focus on premium talent on D and on the wings.

2010 Boston Bruins Draft Picks and Positions (as of 23 December)

Round 1
Toronto (4th overall)
Boston (16th overall)

Round 2
Toronto (34th overall)
Tampa Bay (37th overall)
Boston (46th overall)

Round 3
None- Traded to Buffalo for Daniel Paille

Round 4
Carolina (91st overall)*
Boston (106th overall)*

*Conditional based on Paille trade (Boston pick to Buffalo if Paille scores 16 goals. With three at present, he'd need to go on a major tear to meet this performance objective)

Round 5
Boston (136th)- approximate

Round 6
Boston (166th)- approximate

Round 7
Boston (196th)- approximate

2011 Boston Bruins Draft Picks

Round 1
Toronto
Boston

Round 2
Minnesota (Acquired for Chuck Kobasew)
Boston

Round 3
Boston

Round 4
Boston

Round 5
Boston

Round 6
Boston

Round 7
Boston

Whenever there is a trade involving any of the afore mentioned picks, I will update the blog to reflect the transaction and conditions.