Saint John Sea Dogs

Fantasy Summary

Zboril does not excel in any particular area of the game, but also has no glaring weaknesses. His overall ability should make him a lock for top-four duty in the NHL sooner than later.


Observations

Click to Expand
MArch 2024 – Zboril has been traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Jackets are incredibly deep on defense with younger talent. There may be a chance for Zboril to make an impact bu tit is probably unlikely. Pat Quinn
June 2021 – Zboril took a major step forward this season, spending the entire year in the NHL and registering nine points in just over 17 minutes of average ice time. He saw some time alongside Charlie McAvoy on the team’s top pair, not looking out of place. His fantasy ceiling may remain capped, but he certainly still has room to grow as he gains experience in the top league. He could be exposed to Seattle in the upcoming expansion draft, where he may get additional responsibility from an offensive standpoint. Chris Mazza
March 2021 – With Jeremy Lauzon out of action for the next month, Zboril has been given an opportunity to play on the team’s top pairing alongside Charlie McAvoy. The former first-round pick has produced a modest four points in 19 games thus far, but more importantly, he has been playing a smart and simple style that has been effective for the Bruins. While he might never become a top fantasy defenseman, his efficient play should keep him in the NHL for the foreseeable future, and a cushy assignment with a top player like McAvoy could result in several fantasy-relevant games. Chris Mazza
January 2021 – Zboril made the Bruins roster out of training camp and has been effective as a middle-pairing defenseman over the team’s first six games. That sound heard across Boston is the collective sigh of a fanbase that can now say two of its three 2015 first round picks are contributing to the NHL team. While Zboril’s play has not been useful for fantasy managers, it can still be viewed as great progress for the young defenseman. He has not looked out of place during his 18:44 of average ice time, and has even chipped in seven shots and 12 hits. He will likely continue to provide more real-world value to the Bruins than he will to a fantasy hockey team, however do not count him out as a potential long-term solution alongside Charlie McAvoy on the team’s top pairing. Chris Mazza
October 2020 – Zboril has signed a two-year, one-way contract with the Bruins. This is important news as he will now be eligible for waivers, meaning something will have to go very wrong in training camp for him to not crack the NHL roster. Chris Mazza
September 2020 – Zboril has been loaned by Boston to HC Kometa Brno of his native Czech Republic. He will remain with the team until NHL training camp begins for 2020-2021. Chris Mazza
June 2020 – Zboril finished his season with three goals and 19 points in 58 games for Providence. His point totals for each of his three AHL campaigns has remained identical, and while he has not proven to be a major offensive contributor for his team, he has taken strides to round out his defensive game. He managed a career-high plus-20 rating in 2019-2020, while also becoming a more physical player, adding 46 PIM. An RFA this offseason, Zboril should get a modest extension that will allow him to continue his professional development. He had a good training camp last year, and will likely push for a full time NHL role in 2020-2021. Chris Mazza

January 2020 – Zboril has managed just two goals and 12 points through 40 AHL games this year. He has spent the entire season in the minors, being passed over on multiple occasions for a call-up to Boston. His production is nearly identical to his first two pro campaigns, and it appears increasingly likely that offense will not become a calling card for the former first-rounder. With that being said, Zboril has managed to add more of a physical element to his game, which might grant him a path to the NHL in more of a depth role. Chris Mazza

November 2019 – After managing to survive until the later round of cuts during Boston’s training camp, Zboril has spent the entire season thus far in Providence, where he has managed one goal and five points through 18 games. His point totals, shots on goal and shooting percentage remain largely on par with his output from last season, which is ultimately a disappointment for the former first-rounder. Zboril is in the final year of his entry-level contract, playing in his third full AHL season and has seen just two career NHL games. While the expectation is that Zboril will receive some action with the big club this season, the remainder of his campaign will likely be spent with Providence, where the team will hope he can improve on his modest production. Chris Mazza

February 2019 – Zboril has managed just 11 points through 30 AHL games this season and is still working on his game-by-game consistency as a pro. The former first-rounder has been surpassed in many areas by other defensemen in the Bruins’ system, but still has plenty of room to grow and is just 21 years old. As the Bruins boast plenty of good, young defensemen, Zboril’s best path to the NHL might be through another organization, and he could be an ideal trade chip at this year’s trade deadline. Chris Mazza

November 2018 – Zboril was called up to the Bruins as their blueline continues to be hampered by the injury bug. The young defenseman has begun to right his ship after a poor start to the year, posting three points and a plus-three rating over the last eight games. Providence coach Jay Leach has noted an improvement in Zboril’s defensive game and a willingness to use his powerful shot more often. His stay in the NHL likely won’t be long, but it will be a good first test to see how he measures up against the game’s best players. Chris Mazza

 

October 2018 – After a strong first pro season, Zboril is off to a bit of a rough start this year with an uncharacteristically low minus-7 rating through five games. As Providence has just one win on the season, he should have no issue correcting this rating as the campaign moves forward. Zboril has always been viewed as a long-term project for the Bruins, so while it would be nice to see a boost in his point production this year, it would not be surprising for the young defenseman to be eased through his development as he looks to transition his talents to the professional level. Chris Mazza

February 2018 – Zboril has seemingly adjusted smoothly to the pro game. In 51 games this season he has 11 points for the Bruins affiliate in Providence. He did have a slow start, not scoring his first goal until January 26th, but has five points in the 11 games since. The Bruins management wanted him to improve defensive consistency in his first pro season. So far this season he leads his club with a +18 rating among defensemen. Zboril has all the tools he showed in major junior, and the offence looks to be coming into his professional game sooner than expected. Should his development continue to progress on track as it is, it is probable he will be given an opportunity on the big club next season. If you have him on your team hold on to him, you could see him sooner rather than later. Sid Osmond

February 2017 – Zboril has taken a step forward this season in for the St. John Sea Dogs of the QMJHL. Zboril, selected in the first round in 2015, also had a fantastic WJC this Christmas for his home country of the Czech Republic. In 40 games played this season, Zboril has amassed an impressive 35 points including nine goals and is plus-19. Zboril is now beginning to show why he deserved to be a first-round pick and maybe a home-run for the Bruins organization. Zboril still has some holes in his game, particularly on the defensive side of the puck but his progression has been impressive, to say the least. -Mike Drover 

 

March 2016 – Jakub Zboril is now seen by many to be the top prospect in the Bruins farm system. The lanky defenseman is finishing his second year with Saint John in the QMJHL and represented the Czech Republic at the WJC. Zboril is not outstanding in any one area, but it’s tough to find any weaknesses to his game: he can score, he’s physical, and he consistently exudes quiet confidence and maturity on the ice. Look for Zboril to play with the Bruins in about two years. Michael Boeckler

 

June 2015 – The Boston Bruins took mobile offensive-minded defender Jakob Zboril with the 13th overall selection of the 2015 NHL Draft. Brendan Ross

 

February 2015 – Broke out at the 2014 Ivan Hlinka tournament (5GP-4G-2A-6P), Czech defenseman Jakub Zboril has the makings of an offensive defenseman. He is a creative passer and displays inspiring four-way mobility offering good offensive zone upside. Zboril has struggled with his game-to-game consistency and will need to continue to improve on his defensive play but he mixes his offensive tools and physicality too well to not be considered a first-round talent. The rookie import shows an ability to play a North American style combining grit, mobility and a boomer of a shot. He’s missed sometime in his draft year to injury but Zboril has notched nine goals and 23 points in only 34 QMJHL games. Brendan Ross

Attributes
Fantasy Upside 3.0
NHL Certainty 3.0
Country CZE
Position D
Roster Type Minors
Shoot/Glove Left
Date of Birth February 21, 1997
Height 6‘0”
Weight 201 lbs
Drafted 2015 Round 1; Overall: 13

Stats

 Season Team League GP G A TP PIM      Playoffs GP G A TP PIM 
 2009-2010 HC Kometa Brno U16Czechia U164 0 00 4|        
  Pirati ChomutovQC Int PW4 1 01 0|        
 2010-2011 HC Kometa Brno U16Czechia U1630 7 2330 82|Playoffs4 1 23 10 
  HC Kometa Brno U18Czechia U182 0 00 0|        
 2011-2012 HC Kometa Brno U16Czechia U1618 4 1115 57|        
  HC Kometa Brno U18Czechia U1835 2 46 69|Playoffs2 0 00
  Czechia U16 (all)International-Jr10 0 11 12|        
 2012-2013 HC Kometa Brno U16Czechia U161 0 22 2|Playoffs5 2 24 12 
  HC Kometa Brno U18Czechia U1827 4 59 70|Playoffs3 0 22
  Czechia U17 (all)International-Jr23 3 47 28|        
 2013-2014 HC Kometa Brno U18Czechia U182 1 12 0|Playoffs10 3 58 14 
  HC Kometa Brno U20Czechia U2036 5 1621 57|        
  Czechia U18 Hlinka Gretzky Cup4 1 12 4|        
  Czechia U19WJAC-194 1 01 0|        
  Czechia U18WJC-187 0 33 8|        
  Czechia U18 (all)International-Jr27 4 610 40|        
  Czechia U19 (all)International-Jr3 0 00 0|        
 2014-2015 Saint John Sea DogsQMJHL44 13 2033 73|Playoffs5 1 23 18 
  Czechia U18 Hlinka Gretzky Cup5 4 26 8|        
  Czechia U18WJC-183 1 12 4|        
  Czechia U18 (all)International-Jr9 5 510 14|        
 2015-2016 Saint John Sea DogsQMJHL50 6 1420 57|Playoffs17 2 810
  Czechia U20WJC-205 0 11 31|        
  Czechia U20 (all)International-Jr11 2 13 47|        
 2016-2017 Saint John Sea DogsQMJHL50 9 3241 44|Playoffs16 3 47 12 
  Saint John Sea DogsMemorial Cup4 0 22 6|        
  Czechia U20WJC-205 0 44 10|        
  Czechia U20 (all)International-Jr7 0 44 14|        
 2017-2018 Providence BruinsAHL68 4 1519 38|Playoffs4 0 00
 2018-2019 Boston BruinsNHL2 0 00 0|        
  Providence BruinsAHL56 4 1519 38|Playoffs4 0 00
 2019-2020 Providence BruinsAHL58 3 1619 46|        
 2020-2021 HC Kometa BrnoCzechia18 1 78 4|        
  Boston BruinsNHL42 0 99 18|        
 2021-2022 Boston BruinsNHL10 0 33 4|        
 2022-2023 Boston BruinsNHL22 1 34 6|        
  Czechia EHT2 0 00 4|        
  CzechiaWC8 1 12 2|        
  Czechia (all)International10 1 12 6|        
 2023-2024 Providence BruinsAHL31 0 99 19|        
  Cleveland MonstersAHL6 0 22 2|        

Highlights