Bruno Osmanis (RW, R, 5’11”, 165, 12/16/2006)
Bruno Osmanis is an offensively gifted playmaking winger with strong pace, elite vision, and the ability to generate high-end scoring chances in transition. His skillset fits the modern NHL profile of a speed-and-skill perimeter creator, but his projection is complicated by a lack of physicality, limited inside drive, and minimal impact in pro-level minutes to date. Osmanis is a player with clear tools—particularly puck skills, playmaking, and agility—but must round out his game in terms of defensive detail, off-puck routes, and consistency in heavier traffic areas to remain projectable at the pro level.
Why Bruno Osmanis Should Be an NHL Draft Pick
1) Pace-Driven Playmaker with Strong Transition Metrics
Osmanis’s offensive zone entries and puck touch volume are a clear strength. He creates 3.0 Grade “A” chances/game in J20 play and showed the ability to translate that play-driving to the international level at the World Juniors (4 points in 3 GP). His 2.6 pre-shot passes/game and 84% pass accuracy at the J20 level back up the visual scouting—he processes well and distributes with pace and while playing at pace.
2) High-End Vision and Situational Awareness
Osmanis consistently plays with his head up and identifies second options early. His 1.48 pre-shot passes/game in J20, 2.7 pre-shot passes/game in WJC U20, and slick puck touches along the wall are pro-level offensive traits. He’s not a volume shooter, but his 25% “grade A” scoring percentage in junior play shows efficiency when he does pull the trigger, often from in-stride or sharp-angle attacks.
3) Flashes of Competitiveness and Creativity at High Levels
Osmanis was one of Latvia’s most dangerous players at the World Juniors prior to injury, and despite limited minutes (~5 minutes/game) at the HockeyAllsvenskan level, he managed to maintain reasonable pace and efficiency metrics. His J20-to-pro production differential is explainable given usage, age, and strength gap.
4) Late Bloomer Trending Upward
He was not on early watchlists but has steadily improved year over year and put himself in legitimate draft consideration with a breakout J20 season (37 points in 31 GP). His +14 rating, low giveaway rate, and developing two-way game are signs that his toolkit is trending in the right direction.
Why Bruno Osmanis Should Not Be an NHL Draft Pick
1) Light Frame and Lack of Physical Engagement
At 5’11”, 161 lbs, Osmanis is significantly below the average weight of an NHL forward and has shown little appetite for contact. He averages just 0.1 hits/game, and his 47% puck battle win rate in pro play and 43% in the World Juniors reflect limited engagement or success in tight areas. He can be physically neutralized by bigger, heavier defenders, and he doesn’t initiate contact to win space.
2) Perimeter Bias Limits Ceiling
Osmanis plays almost exclusively outside the dots. While his perimeter creation is strong, he rarely attacks the middle of the ice. In the Allsvenskan, he produced just 1 goal and 6 points in 27 games despite skating regular third-line shifts at times. He posted just 0.27 Grade A chances/game at the pro level and a 2% “grade A” scoring percentage—showing he’s not getting into dangerous areas, and when he does, he lacks deception or release speed.
3) Defensively Limited and Undersized Without the Puck
His 81% passing efficiency in Allsvenskan play and 76% at the WJC reflect pressure sensitivity. Without the puck, Osmanis can float defensively, and his route timing when tracking back or supporting the breakout can be off. He posted just 0.08 pre-shot passes/game in the Allsvenskan, showing how little he contributed to chance creation in that environment.
4) Injury and Durability Concerns
A small sample at the WJC due to injury, and concerns about whether his frame can hold up over a full season in heavier leagues, are valid questions NHL teams will need to address during medical screenings and interviews.
Projection & Outlook
Player Projection: Top-nine NHL upside if he adds strength and interior routes, if not he’s a scoring winger in the AHL.
Development Path: Will need a couple of full years in Allsvenskan or SHL with strength gains and a focus on interior scoring habits before crossing to North America.
Draft Recommendation: 6th–7th Round
Osmanis is a worthy late-round swing for a team looking to add skilled, creative playmakers into its pipeline. His puck skill, transition pace, and offensive instincts give him a chance to break out further with maturity and added strength. However, his lack of size, contact willingness, and middle-lane attack instincts make him a risk. He’s not a lock to become a pro, but if he can add muscle and evolve his game away from the wall, there’s a projectable bottom-six winger profile here with secondary offensive upside.