6.28.2014

The Euro picks continue - Bruins draft David Pastrnak in the 1st round



When Cam Neely stepped to the podium last night, not many had the Bruins president selecting 18-year old Czech David Pastrnak. The pick get's in line with the franchises recent success with Swedes and players coming out of  Swedish leagues.

With big and physical forechecker Adrian Kempe (17 / MODO / SHL) still on the board, the Bruins decided to go skill first with Pastrnak. Kempe went on to be picked by Stanley Cup winning L.A. Kings with the 29th overall pick.

Just like last years 3rd round selection Peter Cehlarik, the Czech made his way to the Swedish junior leagues at the age of 16 leaving his hometown team of Havirov. In his rookie season for Södertalje he scored 5 goals and 13 points in just 5 games in the Under 18 Elitserien, earning him an early promotion to one of Europes top prospect leagues the SuperElit.


Pastrnak, who is described as flashy, electrifying forward with gifted hands, played 36 games in the SuperElit, finishing 3rd in scoring with 12 goals and 29 points just behind 8th overall pick William Nylander. He even debut for the big club in the 2nd tier Allsvenskan, where he appeared in 16 games, including the promotion playoffs Kvalserien.

According to TSN's Craig Button and other scouts his biggest asset are his smarts, as he uses his quickness to avoid bigger opponents. The Czech already played a full season with the big guys in the Allvenskan where he finished with 24 points in just 36 games due to an early season ending concussion. Pastrnak also appeared in both the Under 18 (Assistant Captain, 5 points in 7 games) and the World Juniors (3 points in 5 games) for the Czech Republic.

The winger will spend next season with Södertalje in the Allvenskan and is more than likely to play in the World Juniors, this December in Canada.

With the last eight selections in the draft, Bruins management has picked four guys from Sweden with the 2013 2nd round pick Linus Arnesson (Djurgardens), Slovak and 3rd round pick Peter Cehlarik (Lulea), 6th rounder Anton Blidh (Frölunda) and now Pastrnak (Södertalje).


Bruins hold the 56th overall picks in the 2nd round with some interesting guys still available.
One of them is Michael Bunting who was picked 190th overall in the 9th round of last years OHL Draft. Bunting still played AAA at the age of 17 before Sault. Ste. Marie decided to give him a chance, which payed off for him and the club as he finished with 42 points in 48 games in his rookie OHL season.
The 18-year old Canadian winger will likely be picked withing the next two rounds.

Another intersting fit could be 6'6'' winger Hunter Smith from the Oshawa Generals (OHL). The nephew of former NHL player Brad Smith had a remarkable season with 40 points in 64 games, besides recording 100 PIM. Could he be the Bruins next Anthony Camara ?

Swedish winger Anton Karlsson would be an absolute steal at 56. Karlsson is a 6'2'' strong playmaker with solid speed and good checking ability. He achieved 22 points in 28 games (SuperElit) for Frölunda last season.

Yet another target for the Bruins 2nd round pick is Spencer Watson, he only comes at 5'11'' but is described as pure goal scorer with great puck skills. Watson recorded 68 points, including 33 goals for the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League.

Whoever the Bruins will draft with their remaining 4 picks (2nd, 4th, 5th, 7th round) it's an interesting off-season coming up for both fans and management.




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