Just about two weeks after free agency opened, the Boston Bruins’ roster is more or less set. The biggest priority remains re-signing Jeremy Swayman to a new contract, but other than that, there likely won’t be any more players signing in Boston this offseason, with the possible exception of a low-cost veteran on a two-way contract or Professional Tryout Agreement (PTO).

Besides that, the players currently under contract will be the ones competing for a roster spot in October, and given the way things are laid out, it’s possible a younger prospect without much NHL experience will have the opportunity to take the leap up. At least, Bruins general manager Don Sweeney said as much.

“I would say that [Georgii Merkulov] and [Fabian Lysell] or Riley Duran keep going down the list: Just pin your ears back, train your ass off this summer, and come with the intent that there’ll be an opportunity here,” Sweeney said on July 1. “If you’re the best player, then we find a way to get you in the lineup. You have to sustain it as you’re going along.”

Clearly, there are a few players that Sweeney mentioned by name that are on the Bruins’ radar for a chance to win a roster spot going into next season. First, we looked at Merkulov, Lysell and Duran, but today we’ll discuss a player Sweeney did not directly name.

Brett Harrison, Forward

Age: 21

Draft Position: 2021 3rd Round, 85th overall

2023-24 stats:

• AHL – 47 GP, 5G-9A-14P

We’re steering off the players Sweeney named directly, and focusing on one player the Bruins are hoping will make big strides this upcoming season.

Harrison is coming off his first full professional season, and while his pure production numbers didn’t pop off the page, the Bruins like his potential. After all, he delivered a big-time performance in the Calder Cup Playoffs this year, scoring a goal and two assists in a 6-0 win for the Providence Bruins against the Hartford Wolfpack on May 3.

He went scoreless in the next outing, and was scratched for what would ultimately be the last game for Providence before getting eliminated, but that pop in Game 2 is what Harrison hopes to build off of.

Given his age and where his game currently stands, Harrison will benefit greatly from another year developing in the AHL, but one member of the Bruins organization said he’s not far off from getting a look in the NHL.

“[Harrison is] getting really dialed in this year in the areas that he knows he needs to improve on,” Bruins player development coordinator Adam McQuaid said. “So he’s in a good place, and I think he’s probably looking to be a little bit more involved offensively this season in Providence. Maybe make a push to get up and play some games [in Boston].”

The Bruins will need younger players to step up and add offensive depth this season, so even if Harrison doesn’t make the roster, he has the chance to put himself in prime position to be one of the first call-ups down the line.