The 2021 NHL Draft begins Friday night with all 32 picks in the first round.
It will be a historic draft as the league's newest expansion team, the Seattle Kraken, are set to make their draft debut with the No. 2 overall pick.
The Boston Bruins own the No. 21 overall pick. It's a valuable opportunity for the B's to add much-needed talent and depth to their organization.
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Before last season, Boston's prospect pool was ranked 30th by ESPN and 31st by The Athletic. The Bruins have traded two of their last three first-round picks, and that's one of the primary reasons why the team lacks high-end prospects.
The only position the Bruins don't need to address in the early rounds is goaltender. Between Jeremy Swayman and Daniel Vladar, the B's have two talented young netminders who could play important roles at the NHL level during the upcoming season.
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Given the lack of elite talent in the system, the Bruins should just take the best player available in this year's first round. A goal-scoring winger would be preferable, though.
Here's a roundup of expert predictions for the Bruins' first-round pick from recent 2021 NHL Mock Drafts.
Sean Leahy, NBC Sports: Brennan Othmann, LW, Flint Firebirds (OHL)
Greg Wyshynski, ESPN: Corson Ceulemans, D, Brooks (AJHL)
Craig Button, TSN: Xavier Bourgault, C, Shawinigan (QMJHL)
Mike Morreale, NHL.com: Corson Ceulemans, D, Brooks (AJHL)
Scott Wheeler, The Athletic: Daniil Chayka, D, CSKA (KHL)
Josh Wegman, John Matisz, The Score: Aatu Raty, C, Karpat (Finland)
Lyle Richardson, Bleacher Report: Fabian Lysell, RW, Luleå HF (Sweden)
Vincent Z. Mercogliano, USA TODAY: Isak Rosén, RW, Leksands IF (Sweden)