After mixing their NHL regulars and prospects between two groups throughout training camp, the Bruins skated what could be a first glance at the opening night roster.
BRIGHTON, Mass. – For the first time in training camp, the Boston Bruins practiced in a lineup that closely resembled what they might look like on opening night.
The Bruins had split up their ‘regulars’ between two different practice groups for all of camp, but on Sunday, the first practice group lined up like this:
James van Riemsdyk - Pavel Zacha - David Pastrnak
Brad Marchand - Charlie Coyle - Jake DeBrusk
AJ Greer - Morgan Geekie - Trent Frederic
Milan Lucic - Patrick Brown - Jesper Boqvist
Matt Grzelcyk - Charlie McAvoy
Hampus Lindholm - Brandon Carlo
Derek Forbort - Kevin Shattenkirk
Jakub Zboril - Ian Mitchell
Linus Ullmark
Jeremy Swayman
With three preseason games remaining and 10 days until the season-opener against the Chicago Blackhawks, there is still room for tweaks – both in personnel and within the lineup itself – but the Bruins appear to be going with a veteran-heavy approach.
At the beginning of training camp, both Bruins coach Jim Montgomery and general manager Don Sweeney expressed that any younger players looking to break on to the NHL roster would have to “steal” another player’s job. As it stands, it doesn’t seem likely, but the door isn’t completely shut.
On Sunday, Montgomery said he wants to see how the younger players respond to getting separated from the regulars.
“Who keeps pushing?” Montgomery said. “Do they think that their plate is already set, and maybe they’ll be going to Providence? We want to see who digs in.”
The bottom six was filled with experienced players acquired through free agency rather than prospects who have made good impressions thus far, such as Johnny Beecher and Matt Poitras.
Danton Heinen, playing under Professional Tryout Agreements (PTO), was also placed into Group B. Alex Chiasson, another PTO player, was released on Sunday.
Beecher, who has one goal and a 57.89 face-off percentage (11/19) through two preseason games, is trying to stick to the physical game he plays. He said he’s played comfortably and has been building off the feedback the coaching staff has given him.
“You only have a couple games to really showcase what you can do,” Beecher said. “Obviously there’s going to be some cobwebs you gotta brush off, but I think everybody kinda has a pretty good idea of what everybody can kind of bring to the table before camp starts, and you just gotta try to showcase it as best you can.”
Defenseman Mason Lohrei, who displayed impressive puck-handling across two preseason games, was also absent from the first group. It will take a lot to unseat one of the top six defensemen, and the 22-year-old’s development would be better suited for an every-night role in AHL Providence rather than getting inconsistent playing time as the seventh NHL defenseman.
As for the seventh defenseman, that competition seems to be down to incumbent Jakub Zboril and trade import Ian Mitchell. The Bruins could technically roster both defensemen and an extra forward at the maximum, but given their salary cap situation, they probably won’t have room to do so.
Montgomery said the lineups will get shuffled around over the final three preseason games, particularly splitting up the two power play units that got off to a good start against Philadelphia so each gets more in-game reps. However, the lineup for the final preseason game against the New York Rangers on Thursday will “essentially” be the final roster.
“Not exactly because we’re gonna have some guys maybe play back-to-back games, just the way we’re setting it up,” Montgomery said.
It will be a crucial week for Beecher, Lohrei and every other player on the outside looking in to pry a spot away from a veteran. The final picture is coming together, but the shutter hasn’t closed yet.