Mailbag: Draft, Free Agency, and Development Camp

To be featured in a future mailbag, submit questions on X @briandefelice_, @ThePuckUps, or email at info@puckups.com

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Thanks for the question, Mike.

Brock Boeser signing with Boston is a real possibility in my mind.

According to AFP Analytics, Boeser is projected to sign for 6 years, $8.4M.

Boeser, 28, has accumulated 204G, 230A, 434PTS in 545GP - 0.78 points per game.

For reference - former Bruin Jake DeBrusk, also 28, has 166G, 148A, 314PTS in 547GP.

DeBrusk was a solid top six, and at times top line contributor for Boston prior to signing with Vancouver last summer.

But as you can see by their delta in production in nearly the same amount of games played, and at the same age, Boeser would not only finally be a replacement for the void left by DeBrusk, but he'd actually be a significant upgrade.

Of course, upgrades come at a cost.

DeBrusk only has a cap hit of $5.5M, and Boeser's will be north of $8M.

That said, Boeser is still in the prime of his career and for the most part would continue to be so over the course of a prospective 6 year contract.

Boeser hails from Minnesota and is longtime friends with current Bruins forward, and Minnesota native, Casey Mittelstadt. Perhaps playing alongside each other on Boston's 2nd line could be a selling point for Boeser.

As far as the odds of Boston actually signing Boeser?

I'll give it a 35% chance.

There's only so many impact top six UFA forwards remaining.

Boeser, Mitch Marner, and Nikolaj Ehlers are likely the three biggest forward UFA names who aren't expected to sign with their most recent team.

Sam Bennett, Brad Marchand, John Tavares, Patrick Kane, Claude Giroux will probably stay in Florida, Toronto, Detroit, and Ottawa respectively.

Andrei Kuzmenko is a bit of a wild card, perhaps he doesn't resign in Los Angeles?

But let's stick with Boeser, Marner, and Ehlers.

Boston is definitely going to try and sign at least one of them.

Marner would be a surprise. He hasn't been linked to Boston at all and i'm not sure the fit is there from Marner's perspective. Could see him maybe ending up in Anaheim, Los Angeles, or Vegas.

Ehlers has told Winnipeg that he will test the free agency waters on July, 1.

Ehlers, 29, is a speedy left winger who can score.

He has 225G, 295A, 520PTS, in 620GP - that's 0.77 points per game.

Boston signing Boeser, in my opinion comes down to if they aren't the team to land Marner (all signs point to that being the case), or Ehlers.

I think think there's a high chance Boston ends up signing one of Boeser, or Ehlers.

Good question, Mike.

There's one undrafted player in particular.

Dartmouth College standout defenseman, CJ Foley.

Foley, 21, has totaled 16G, 34A, 50PTS, in 65GP over his first two seasons for the Big Green.

The right shot defender skates well, is offensively creative, and reminds me of a taller, right shot version of Matt Grzelcyk.

Foley was the 2024-2025 Ivy League Player of the Year, All Ivy First Team, Unanimous All-ECAC First Team, ECAC Player of the Year Finalist, and a Hobey Baker Nominee.

Here's a link to his highlights from this past season.

Boston signing him to a minor league contract at some point wouldn't surprise me.

Boston's best chance, in my opinion, at landing Misa would be trading up from No. 7 to No. 4 overall, in a deal with Utah, and hope that Misa somehow slides to No. 4.

That said, I don't think it's worth giving up the assets required to move up three spots in this draft in particular.

Utah also just traded for JJ Peterka from the Buffalo Sabres without having to relinquish No. 4 overall. So, they may more inclined to hold onto their 4th overall pick now that they've acquired a young, top six NHL forward.

And at the same time, I don't expect the Islanders, Sharks, or Blackhawks trading down in a move with Boston - but you never know.

As far as the acquisition cost in your question.

Lysell doesn't have much value in my opinion, even Poitras is a bit unproven albeit young and promising, and Toronto's 1st round pick next season will likely be a late first round selection.

If Boston wants to move up, it would probably cost No. 7 overall, and a proven top six forward on a value contract like Pavel Zacha.

I'm of the mindset that Boston should just stay put, and select No. 7 overall.

Thanks for the question, Nick.

Boston trading for Isaac Howard is a potential move I wrote about earlier this month.

For those who don't know, i'll reset the table on Howard and his relationship with Tampa Bay below, and answer your question on possible cost in such a deal.

The Tampa Bay Lightning are shopping the rights to their 2022 1st round draft pick (31st overall), Isaac Howard.

Howard, 21, has spent the last three seasons playing NCAA.

Between his freshman, and sophomore seasons at Minnesota-Duluth, and Michigan State respectively, he totaled 14G, 39A, 53PTS, in 71GP.

This past season as a junior, however, Howard recorded 26G, 26A, 52PTS, in 37GP.

He led Michigan State to a Big Ten Championship, winning Big Ten Tournament MVP, and the 2025 Hobey Baker Award as the top player in college hockey in the process.

Howard projects to be a top six forward in the NHL, but unlikely so with Tampa Bay.

Lightning GM, Julien BriseBois announced back on May 2nd, that Howard has communicated with Tampa Bay that he values his ability to choose which NHL team is the best fit for him, and that the two parties have a mutual understanding that they will inevitably go their separate ways.

Howard, who is set to return to Michigan State for his senior year, is under team control until August of 2026.

If he isn't traded by then, he will become a free agent and Tampa Bay will receive the 31st selection in the 2nd round of the 2027 NHL Entry Draft as compensation.

Clearly, it's in the Lightning's best interest to trade Howard before then - and while there's no major rush, and little doubt that Howard won't continue to dominate the NCAA, his stock may not be higher than it is right now coming off of a Hobey Baker season. His play could tail off a bit, or he could get injured, etc.

Tampa's asking price will hopefully be at least what they invested in Howard.

At 31st overall in 2022, he was a glorified 2nd round pick. Add to that, Tampa Bay would receive a compensatory late 2nd rounder in 2027 if he becomes a free agent.

The Lightning, who have zero 1st round draft picks over the next three years, will probably settle for either a 1st round pick, or a 2nd round pick and a prospect.

The Bruins have a 1st, and (2) 2nd round draft picks in 2025, and (2) 1st round, and a 2nd round draft pick in both 2026, and 2027.

Boston won't trade their 2025 1st round pick (No. 7) overall for Howard.

However, they could move one of their (4) 1st round picks in 2026, 2027.

Or, they could move one of their (4) 2nd round picks in 2025, 2026, 2027 (combined), along with a prospect. Fabian Lysell would probably be the only prospect Boston would consider moving that Tampa Bay would be interested in.

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That does it for this week's edition.

Next week's should be a doozy.

By then we'll know who the Bruins did or didn't draft, and who they have or haven't signed in free agency.

Make sure to submit any and all questions in the wake of all of that.

Enjoy the draft, and free agency, and look out for out next publication on July, 4!