#boston-bruins-prospects

#boston-bruins-prospects

Ultimately, if the Bruins are middling and aren't staring at a potential playoff run, Boston likely wouldn't have to worry about burning Hagens' first year of team control. An 18/19-year-old player can avoid burning the first year of his entry-level deal by playing 10 or fewer games in his first pro season - allowing that contract to slide forward a year. So, if the Bruins are closing out the year without a playoff berth and Hagens is ready to go pro in late March/early April, Boston could give him 8-10 games to dip his toe in the water without worrying about his contract.

By most standards, Bruins' prospect Loke Johansson enjoyed a very good first season in North American hockey. Playing for Moncton in the QMJHL, the 6-foot-3, 214-pound Swedish-born defenseman had 4-18-22 totals and was a plus-46 while playing with the Wildcats, who won the Q championship while being led by last June's fourth overall pick Caleb Desnoyers. But, to be sure, it took a period of adjustment when he first arrived on the continent.