{"numbering":"no_numbering","slides":[{"title":"20 Under 25","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/gallery/hero/20u25_bruins_candidates_hero.png","credit":"","published":1607994588,"caption":"

The Boston Bruins are an aging team in many respects, but the organization does have several very talented and exciting players ranging from the NHL level to the prospect pool.

We ranked the 10 Bruins players eligible for our "20 Under 25" series (you can vote here) based on their current or potential impact in Boston.

"},{"title":"1. David Pastrnak","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/article/hero/Pastrnak_David_USATSI_14131434.jpg","credit":"USA TODAY Sports","published":1607995352,"caption":"

Pastrnak is a superstar and should be a legitimate Hart Trophy candidate for many years to come. The 24-year-old right winger tied for the league lead in goals scored last season with 48. He has scored 180 goals in six seasons with the Bruins.

Pastrnak also is signed to one of the most team-friendly contracts in sports with a salary cap hit of $6.67 million through the 2022-23 campaign.

Click here to rank the Bruins in our 20 Under 25 survey!

"},{"title":"2. Charlie McAvoy","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/article/hero/McAvoy_Charlie_USATODAY_14731827.jpg","credit":"USA TODAY Sports","published":1607995490,"caption":"

The best Bruins teams have always had an elite defenseman leading the team, whether it was Bobby Orr, Brad Park, Ray Bourque, Zdeno Chara, etc.

McAvoy, obviously, has a long way to go before reaching that level, but he does have all the talent and hockey IQ to be a premiere defenseman for a decade or longer. He's already the Bruins' best blueliner and one of the top 15 players at his position in the NHL.

Click here to rank the Bruins in our 20 Under 25 survey!

"},{"title":"3. Brandon Carlo","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Carlo_Brandon_USATSI_13911134.jpg","credit":"USA TODAY Sports","published":1607995549,"caption":"

Brandon Carlo isn't going to wow you with flashy plays and eye-popping stats, but he's a consistently reliable player on the blue line for the Bruins. McAvoy and Carlo have the potential to anchor Boston's defensive corps for a long time.

Click here to rank the Bruins in our 20 Under 25 survey!

"},{"title":"4. Jake DeBrusk","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/DeBrusk_Jake_USATODAY_13890745.jpg","credit":"USA TODAY Sports","published":1607996640,"caption":"

Re-signing DeBrusk to a team-friendly two-year contract worth $3.675 million per season was an excellent move for both sides. It gives the team a low cost for a player who's averaged 20 goals scored in his first three NHL seasons. The deal also should give DeBrusk plenty of motivation to become a more consistent scorer and earn the opportunity to cash in with an even richer deal in two years.

Click here to rank the Bruins in our 20 Under 25 survey!

"},{"title":"5. Jack Studnicka","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/gallery/hero/Studnicka_Jack_USATODAY_13743060.jpg","credit":"USA TODAY Sports","published":1607996732,"caption":"

Studnicka was one of the Providence Bruins' best players in 2019-20 -- his first full season in the AHL. He tallied 49 points (23 goals, 26 assists) in 60 games, earning himself a chance to shine at the NHL level. Studnicka is Boston's top prospect and could play a key role as a top-six forward early in the 2020-21 season if Brad Marchand and/or David Pastrnak are unavailable on Opening Night as they recover from offseason surgery.

Click here to rank the Bruins in our 20 Under 25 survey!

"},{"title":"6. Urho Vaakanainen","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Vaakanainen_Urho_Getty_1189243830.jpg","credit":"Getty Images","published":1607996674,"caption":"

The best defenseman in the B's organization who's not yet a fixture on the NHL blue line is Vaakanainen, who was Boston's first-round draft pick in 2017. Vaakanainen will be among many young defensemen competing for minutes on the third pairing early in the 2020-21 season. Like Carlo, he's not a flashy player, but his all-around skill set and impressive composure make him a good bet to succeed at the NHL level.

Click here to rank the Bruins in our 20 Under 25 survey!

"},{"title":"7. Anders Bjork","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Bjork_Anders_Getty_1266879305.jpg","credit":"Getty Images","published":1607996777,"caption":"

The 2020-21 season is an important one for Bjork as he attempts to establish himself as a consistent NHL player. The Bruins need more speed, toughness and youth in their bottom six, and Bjork has the type of skill set to be a valuable contributor for that group.

Click here to rank the Bruins in our 20 Under 25 survey!

"},{"title":"8. John Beecher","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Beecher_John_USATODAY_12937995.jpg","credit":"USA TODAY Sports","published":1607997104,"caption":"

Many of the Bruins' top forward prospects are centers, and Beecher falls into that group. He was recently invited to Team USA's training camp for the upcoming 2021 World Junior Championships, but failed to make the final roster. Beecher will continue his development for the University of Michigan, where he's a sophomore.

It's still way too early to project what type of NHL player Beecher might become, but expectations are high after the Bruins used a first-round pick in the 2019 NHL Draft to acquire him.

Click here to rank the Bruins in our 20 Under 25 survey!

"},{"title":"9. Trent Frederic","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Frederic_Trent_USATODAY_12348097.jpg","credit":"USA TODAY Sports","published":1607997136,"caption":"

The time has come for Frederic -- a 2016 first-round draft pick -- to earn a consistent role for the Bruins. He's played in just 17 games for Boston over the last two seasons, and he should have a chance to earn more ice time in 2020-21. Frederic hasn't put up great scoring numbers since leaving the University of Wisconsin -- 27 goals in 127 AHL games -- but his power-forward style of play certainly is a good fit in the Bruins' system.

Click here to rank the Bruins in our 20 Under 25 survey!

"},{"title":"10. Jakub Zboril","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Zboril_Jakub_Getty_1175336841.jpg","credit":"Getty Images","published":1607997212,"caption":"

Zboril signed a two-year contract with the Bruins in the offseason, giving him another chance to carve out a consistent NHL role. The Bruins have not yet replaced Torey Krug with another top-four defenseman after he left in free agency to join the Blues. Filling the offensive void his departure created likely will be a collective effort, and as smooth-skating defenseman with good playmaking skills, Zboril should be part of that mix.

Click here to rank the Bruins in our 20 Under 25 survey!

"}]}

20 Under 25: Ranking the Bruins' candidates, from superstars to top prospects