The NHL draft isn’t exactly like that of the NFL and NBA, in which players selected anywhere early on step in right away, so while either Tyler Seguin or Taylor Hall will contribute to the Bruins immediately, one shouldn’t expect such an early impact from the team’s ensuing picks.

It does mean, however, that in what is believed to be a fairly deep draft, GM Peter Chiarelli needs to make his other high picks —  and he has a lot of quality good ones – count long-term.

Not only do the Bruins have their own first-rounder, which is 15th overall (the NHL only changes the order for Conference finalists), but they’ve also got a high second-round pick from the Maple Leafs (Phil Kessel trade) in addition to their own (that extra second they picked up from the Lightning in the Mark Recchi deal was sent to the Panthers in their package for Dennis Seidenberg).

There are two ways of looking at the early picks the Bruins have. The first is that they have all the ammunition they could need to move up to No. 1 and then some, which is certainly a topic that will be visited as Hall becomes more popular with each passing day. The second is that this can be the draft class that defines Chiarelli more than anything since perhaps the 2006 free agent class.

Should there be a particular strategy? Generally in hockey it’s hard to say, since it could be a few years before anyone hears their team’s first-rounder’s name again. Since there isn’t another goal-scorer with Hall’s talents, going for a highlight-reel winger halfway through the first round will be tough, but that doesn’t mean they can’t get an impact winger. There are plenty of good centers in the middle of the first round (Nick Bjugstad, Mikael Granlund, Jaden Schwartz, Jeffrey Skinner), but unless it’s Seguin, adding to that crowded depth chart (remember Joe Colborne still needs to make his grand entrance at some point), would be confusing.

If they want to go for a wing, Tyler Toffoli is a guy worth looking into. Like many offensive prospects in each draft, he played some center in junior hockey but projects to play right wing in the NHL. Toffoli is rated as the 18th-best draft prospect by HockeyProspect.com. The 6-foot-0, 181-pounder scored 37 goals in 65 games last season for the Ottawa 67’s (OHL). Watch the 18-year-old’s goal from October as he loses his balance.

If defense is the pick, Bruins fans wanting to stay ahead of the curve should familiarize themselves with Duluth, Minn. defenseman Derek Forbort, who brings good size and strength. HockeyProspect.com ranks the 18-year-old as the 16th-best prospect in this year’s draft.

The 6-foot-4, 200-pounds Forbort will play college puck at North Dakota. Here is his scouting report from MyNHLDraft.com:

“Forbort takes advantage of his physical tools often using his long reach to take passing lanes way from opponents. Forbort plays hard nosed hockey in the corners and uses his strength to move opponents away from the slot area. Forbort is great at transitioning from offense to defense, using his speed and positioning to force players to the outside.

Forbort is very patient with the puck and anticipates the game well, he has a good shot which he keeps low allowing rebounds for his teammates.“