Five Bruins prospects who could push for a spot in the lineup next season

The Bruins still have a ways to go when it comes to reworking their roster into a sustainable contender.​

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But, one of the positives drawn out of a surprising 100-point showing in 2025-26 was the first signs of a promising youth movement, with several rookie skaters and unproven talents cutting their teeth in the NHL and carving out key roles in the lineup.

Boston will need several of those younger skaters — including Fraser Minten, James Hagens, Jonathan Aspirot, and Marat Khusnutdinov — to continue to take another step forward if Marco Sturm’s club wants to build off this past season’s playoff appearance.

And, the Bruins could see yet another influx of young talent this fall as Don Sweeney and his staff try to add more skill and speed to their lineup.

While blue-chip prospects Dean Letourneau and Will Zellers could make the jump to the NHL next spring, don’t be surprised if several youngsters currently on Providence’s roster make a push during training camp​.

Here are a few younger skaters to keep tabs on:

​Joonas Korpisalo did a solid job as Boston’s backup netminder behind Jeremy Swayman in 2025-26.

But the Bruins can ill-afford to let a talented young goalie get scooped up off waivers this fall — especially given the body of work DiPietro’s put forth down in Providence over the last few seasons. ​

If Boston can find a way to move Korpisalo’s contract ($3 million annual cap hit for the next two years), promoting a younger and cheaper ($812,500 cap hit) option in DiPietro makes plenty of sense.

The 26-year-old DiPietro — acquired in a trade with Vancouver involving Jack Studnicka in October 2022 — has found his stride over the last few seasons in the AHL. ​

He has won the Aldege “Baz” Bastien Memorial Award as the AHL’s top goalie in each of the past two seasons, with DiPietro also earning league MVP honors this past season after posting a 34-8-1 record with a .930 save percentage over 45 games.

The Bruins’ most pressing need on the blue line is rooted in the search for a minutes-eating stalwart who can log heavy minutes in a top-four role. Of course, acquiring said talent is easier said than done — be it by shelling out big bucks in free agency or packaging several assets for an established talent.

After getting hemmed in by Buffalo’s forecheck throughout their six-game playoff series, the Bruins could stand to add another fleet-footed puck mover.

​Internally, Brunet could be an appealing option — be it in more of a third-pairing role or potentially as a partner next to Charlie McAvoy.

​A 2022 fifth-round pick, Brunet has made some major strides in the last few years with Providence as an offensive-minded blue liner who has rounded out his overall game — earning heavy minutes in all situations for Ryan Mougenel and his staff.

​He’s not going to be a bruiser at the next level, but Brunet can withstand punishment a bit better than undersized D-men with his 6-foot-3, 200-pound frame.

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Once envisioned as a potential top-six fixture in the immediate aftermath of the Bergeron/Krejci era, Poitras exceeded expectations entering the 2023-24 season — earning a spot on Boston’s roster at just 19 after an impressive preseason and nine-game trial run.

​A poised playmaker, Poitras scored five goals and 15 points over 33 games before his rookie year came to an early end because of an injury. Since then, his career has been marred by on-ice setbacks and prolonged growing pains in the AHL — appearing in just 36 games and scoring two goals over the past two seasons with Boston.

​He only appeared in three games with Boston in 2025-26, but did score a highlight-reel goal in the Stadium Series game against the Lightning in February.

​After scoring 85 points in his last 109 games with Providence, the 22-year-old has likely reached his ceiling against AHL competition. A top-nine spot down the middle likely won’t be in the cards for Poitras entering 2026-27.

But if Boston is adamant about adding some speed and scoring upside, could Poitras make a push to center a fourth line alongside Tanner Jeanot and Mark Kastelic?

Given how much Sturm values versatile forwards who play with plenty of pace, Locmelis, 22, could eventually emerge as a trusty bottom-six regular if injuries arise or he takes another major leap in the AHL.

The 2022 fourth-round pick and former UMass standout has seen his stock soar in recent years — be it posting 12 points in six games with Providence in 2024-25 or several standout international tournaments while representing Team Latvia.

After scoring two goals in four games in the 2026 Winter Olympics, Locmelis suffered a season-ending shoulder injury that required surgery.

A smart, two-way player who tends to generate chances and scoring opportunities through hustle and heads-up play, Locmelis could make a push for his first NHL reps at some point next season.

The Woburn native isn’t exactly flashy. But the 6-foot-2 forward could earn a look on Boston’s checking unit if the injury bug stings a crop of skaters.

The 24-year-old hasn’t stuffed the stat sheet over his two years in the AHL after turning pro following a three-year collegiate career at Providence College.

Still, Duran has a high motor, creates chaos on the forecheck, and had a promising two-game stint with the Bruins in 2024-25. In those two games, Boston held a 25-8 edge in shot attempts during Duran’s 24:13 of 5-on-5 reps.