Top 30 Boston Bruins Prospects: 26-30

The Boston Bruins enter the 2025-26 season in the midst of a rebuild and a roster filled with a superstar, a few good veterans, and a mix of younger players trying to capture a spot in training camp. The Bruins have had a prospect pool that has been dead last in some rankings over the last few years. By his own admission, General Manager Don Sweeney knows that player development has been subpar. However, that trend is already moving upward with the drafting of Boston College standout James Hagens and the hiring of former Bruins defenseman Adam McQuaid as Director of Player Development. The pool of young players is slowly improving, and The Bruins Benders Podcast released their top 30 recently. Here are players 26-30:

30. Liam Pettersson – Defenseman – Vaxjo Lakers HC (Sweden)

Pettersson was drafted in the second round, 61st overall, in the 2025 NHL Draft by Boston. The 6-foot-2, 170-pound defenseman was in the top 30 among European skaters with Central Scouting. Pettersson is good in transition with his skating ability and plays physically. Pettersson will need to work on his passing and puck movement offensively. There is huge upside, however, for the the blueliner who will play another season in Sweden.

29. Vashek Blanar – Defenseman – U20 Nationell (Sweden)

Blanar is an intriguing prospect, having played very little high-level hockey. When he was selected, media members were scrambling for information. His name was Vashek Richard,s which led to the confusion. There is nothing confusing in his game; however, as the 6-foot-4, 185-pound blueliner has the tools to be a diamond in the rough fourth round draft pick. In 38 games for IF Troja-Ljungby in Sweden, Blanar had six goals and 15 assists for 21 points to go with 59 penalty minutes. Blanar has committed to one more year in Sweden.

28. Cole Chandler – Forward – Shawinigan Cataractes – (QMJHL)

Chandler was also chosen in the 22025 NHL Draft as the a fifth round selection, 133rd overall. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound forward is committed to Northeastern University for the 2026-27 season. Chandler has scored a goal and assisted on two others in three games this season for Shawinigan. Chandler has shown well-rounded offensive ability.

27. Kirill Yemelyanov – Forward – Loko Yaroslavl – (MHL Russia)

Yemelyanov is another late round pick in 2025 who has some potential. The left-shot center plays the game like a true playmaking center, and that has resulted in six goals and three assists in eight games already this season. Yamelyanov is 6-foot, 170 pound,s and was drafted in the sixth round. Currently, he is dominating the competition in Russia.

26. Ryan Walsh – Forward – Cornell University (NCAA)

Walsh was teammates with current training camp attendee Dalton Bancroft last season. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound forward, a Rochester, New York native, is entering his junior year at Cornell and scored 17 goals with 14 assists in 36 games last season. Walsh is excellent with body position and finding space offensively.

Keep an eye out for prospects 21-25 coming soon. The Bruins Benders Podcast can be found on the Inside The Rink YouTube Channel.