Four forwards and one defenseman went to Boston in the 2023 NHL Draft
by Jason Ounpraseuth 13 hours ago
The Bruins ended Day 2 of the 2023 NHL Draft Thursday with seventh-round picks of right winger Casper Nässén and defenseman Kristian Kostadinski, numbered 214 and 220, respectively.
Nässén plays in the Swedish ice hockey league and was captain of his J20 team. The 1.90m tall winger has 23 goals and 17 assists in 48 games. At the start of the draft, he was selected by NHL Central Scouting as the 138th European Skater. Nässén is signing on to Miami University next fall.
Kostadinski also plays for Frölunda HC in the SHL. The 1m90 defender was part of the Sweden U18 team that took home the silver medal at the World Junior Championships.
“Teams looking to add a defensive ‘D’ that plays with a bit of margin will be keeping a close eye on Kostadinski this season,” Sportsnet wrote in August. “He’s a big body that knows his limits and plays to his strengths. He probably won’t do much offensively, but he’s able to play the first pass. Kostadinski prides himself on smoothing out his goal area and making life difficult for opponents on the boards.”
Kostadinski was ranked the 62nd European skater by NHL Central Scouting.
Boston left the draft with four forwards and one defenseman as the NHL calendar switches to free agency starting this Saturday.
Thumbnail photo via Jamie Sabau/USA TODAY Sports Images