Fraser Minten has officially arrived in the NHL, and the Boston Bruins front office couldn't be more excited about what they're seeing.

Acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Brandon Carlo trade, Minten was initially expected to fill a bottom-six role with a strong two-way game. But after skating in all 82 regular-season games for Boston, the 22-year-old centerman has proven he's ready for much more.

Minten posted 17 goals and 18 assists for 35 points in his rookie campaign, but his impact goes far beyond the stat sheet. Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney was particularly impressed with how Minten handled increased responsibilities, including time on the first line.

"Fraser spent some time up in that first-line center spot, which is not an easy spot to play in," Sweeney said. "You're seeing a hell of a lot harder matchups, you're playing with a star player, and you're trying to navigate a ton – he did a good job. People originally described Fraser as one player – why put a ceiling there? We'll see what he is going to do."

Bruins President Cam Neely echoed that sentiment, noting Minten's growth mindset after experiencing the intensity of playoff hockey for the first time.

"Fraser said to me at the exit meeting, 'Wow, what a difference playoff hockey is compared to regular-season hockey.' That experience for him was invaluable," Neely said. "He realizes how things close quicker; there's not as much time to do anything. Once he figures that out, I think he's going to grow and continue to grow. We want to give these guys every opportunity to take a job that's staring at them."

For a player who was initially viewed as a depth piece in the trade, Minten has quickly become a key building block for the Bruins' future. And with the front office fully behind him, the sky appears to be the limit for this rising star.