3 Players Boston Bruins Need to Target in 2026 NHL Draft – Hockey Writers – Boston Bruins

With an eye to the future, the Boston Bruins need to hit on every draft pick available in the 2026 NHL Draft.

The Bruins will be picking 23rd, 56th, 88th, 111th, 120th, 122nd, and 206th overall in 2026.

The 2026 prospect class is set, and with the NHL Draft set for June 26 and 27, the Bruins have seven picks and only one in the first round. This will leave little choice when it comes to potential celebrities, as they will have to put on their thinking caps to find diamonds in the rough.

What kind of players will the Bruins get in the first three rounds? We’ll include the first three picks (23rd, 56th, and 88th) and get a good idea of ​​who general manager Don Sweeney might select early in the draft.

23rd Overall: Mathis Preston, RW, Vancouver Giants

Mathis Preston has made waves among scouts as one of the top players to watch at the U18 World Championship. Qualifying for Canada, Preston made an impact on the U18 team, recording five points in four games and showing his playmaking abilities.

Preston was originally thought to be a top-10 pick in this year’s draft. But after a lower-body injury, which affected his 2025-26 season, cost him eight weeks of regular season play.

His stock dipped before being traded to the Western Hockey League (WHL) Vancouver Giants, as scouts were disappointed with his play. His inconsistency has helped paint a picture of a man whose game can improve with continued improvement.

Despite the lack of hype surrounding Preston, he has an amazing shot from the slot, finds the back of the net with ease, and has the ability to swing to create space and create chances for his team.

However, he can benefit from making simple decisions on the ice, which can affect results in high-profile games.

“Preston sets the pace of play as well as anyone (in the WHL),” said one scout. Then he plays on the fly, with big shots and big hands; it always pays. “

Preston is the best player in one of the three situations; he exudes confidence and exploits the weaknesses of his opponents to find a partner to connect with.

The downside to his lack of two-way ability cannot be ignored, which could be a hindrance to a team looking for a player with more depth. He has a habit of always being hot and cold, which can be dangerous unless the right trainer can correct the situation.

Preston played 46 games split between the Spokane Chiefs and Vancouver Giants, recording 44 points (18 goals, 26 assists) with a minus-7.

The Penticton, BC-born forward has a 5-foot-11, 170-pound frame, and would be considered “undersized” compared to most modern forwards today. But we’ve seen players like this succeed in the NHL and they shouldn’t be discounted as part of any team’s offense.

56th Overall: Chase Harrington, LW/RW, Spokane Chiefs

Using the Tankathon for this pick, the Bruins selected Chase Harrington from the WHL’s Spokane Chiefs. He is a playmaker who finished his career after recording 50 points (19 goals, 31 assists) in 2024-25. His breakout performance saw his production increase by seven points in 2025-26 after adding an edge to his style of play. In 2025-26, he recorded 57 points and an incredible 105 penalty minutes.

His player profile this season suggests he could be a great prospect for the Bruins, as he is not afraid to stand up for his teammates and can disrupt his opponents.

The best example of Harrington being a facilitator was during a game against Prince George when fellow 2026 draft prospect Carson Cares got hit badly in front of the Spokane bench, and Harrington leaned over the boards to taunt Carels while he lay on the ice in pain.

According to Dobber Prospects, his projection is a middle-of-the-six forward who gets into dirty areas of the ice, including the boards, corners, and in front of the net.

88th Overall: Patriks Plumins, Goaltender, Zemgale

Patriks Plumins had a great show at the U18 World Championship with Latvia. He led Latvia to the semifinals with 43 saves on 45 shots against Team USA. He is currently ranked 18th by NHL Central Scouting in the EU scoring rankings.

Plumins played 16 games in HL Latvia for Zemgale, finishing the regular season with a 1.50 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage.

His combination of size, teamwork, lateral burst and overall combat stood out to me. He is 18^th-ranked goalie in Europe according to Central Scouting.

His performance in the U18s has put him on the radar of NHL teams looking for a good prospect to target in the next rounds. Can Sweeney find him a use in Providence?

Bruins Need a Talent Draft in 2026

After years of sitting low in these rankings, the Bruins’ bullpen is in much healthier shape now than it has been in a long time.

From ‘Boston Bruins are No. 19 in Scott Wheeler’s 2026 NHL prospect pool rankings ’04/22/26, The Athletic, Scott Wheeler

The Bruins’ prospect pipeline is ranked 19th in the NHL by AthleticScott Wheeler, along with Sweeney and company will have to find a way to restock a pipeline that has been reduced due to trades and attrition.