This Boston Bruins prospect could be this year's big surprise for the Original Six club.
The Boston Bruins had a successful bridge year in 2023-24. Instead of dropping off after losing several key players last offseason, including legends Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci, they maintained their spot as one of the top teams in the NHL. A significant reason for this was their youth movement.
The Bruins had several rookies step up and make an impact, as Mason Lohrei, Matthew Poitras, Johnny Beecher, and Justin Brazeau all cemented themselves as NHL talents. This youth trend has the potential to carry over to 2024-25 for the Bruins as well.
One specific prospect Bruins fans should keep an eye on at training camp is forward Riley Duran. Back in July, at the Bruins' development camp, GM Don Sweeney notably mentioned Duran as a candidate for the NHL roster.
"I think we’ve made some hard decisions with players. I think this year Poitras and Beecher were good examples of that. That they played well enough, they earned their opportunity, and I would say to Georgii Merkulov or Fabian or Riley Duran or keep going down the list, just pin your ears back, train your ass of this summer, and come with the intent that there’ll be an opportunity here. If you’re the best player, then we find a way to get you in the lineup."
Duran, 22, completed his collegiate career this past season, posting nine goals and 16 points in 35 games with Providence College. In addition, he also finished the year with the Providence Bruins after signing his entry-level deal in March, recording two goals and four points in 11 games.
While Duran's offense may not necessarily stand out, his steady defensive play and immense tenacity could help him secure a spot in the Bruins' bottom six next season. The Bruins have made it clear that they want to possess a tougher lineup, and the Woburn, Massachusetts native has the potential to help with that goal.
There are some spots to fight for in the Bruins' bottom six, and it will be interesting to see if Duran can earn himself an NHL job. Clearly, Sweeney liked what he saw from the 6-foot-1 forward earlier this summer, so the prospect of him making the club cannot be ruled out. This is especially so when noting that he can play both down the middle and on the wing.
