Bruins, Maple Leafs Highlight NHL Prospects, Depth for 2025-26 Season

The Boston Bruins have a promising top five prospect list for the 2025-26 season, highlighted by players acquired during a trade deadline fire sale, including Will Zellers, who scored 44 goals last season in the USHL, and Fraser Minten, who showed potential after playing in the AHL and finishing the year strong in Boston. Fabian Lysell, another young player, faces uncertainty due to roster competition despite a strong finish and his first NHL goal. Meanwhile, the Toronto Maple Leafs boast a strong center depth chart anchored by Auston Matthews and supported by Nicolas Roy and John Tavares, with GM Brad Treliving emphasizing strategic deployment to maximize the group's effectiveness. William Nylander remains a key offensive threat for the Maple Leafs, ranking highly in shot metrics and speed, contributing significantly to the team's scoring. The St. Louis Blues, under new leadership from former Bruins coach Jim Montgomery, made modest offseason moves focusing on defensive depth and middle-six forward support, aiming to build on their recent playoff run despite lingering questions about their overall firepower. Discussions around Atlantic Division teams emphasize defensive depth, with rankings highlighting which squads possess the strongest defensive corps.