The 25-year-old Swede lost the training camp roster battle after signing with Boston in July. Preparing for just his second NHL game of the season, Boqvist is taking what he learned in AHL Providence and hoping to make a better impression.
ELMONT, N.Y. – When Jesper Boqvist signed with the Boston Bruins on July 12, it was assumed he had an inside track to earn a bottom-six spot.
Having played 189 total games with the New Jersey Devils, Boqvist had more experience than most of his counterparts in the roster battle, and his speed was expected to complement the bigger bodies on the roster.
Then Danton Heinen was brought in on a Professional Tryout Agreement (PTO). And Johnny Beecher and Jakub Lauko locked down fourth-line spots. And Matt Poitras did what he did to earn a permanent spot.
Suddenly, there was no room for Boqvist, who was subsequently sent down to AHL Providence. Now with Pavel Zacha injured and Poitras on a load management plan, Boqvist will return to the NHL lineup on Friday against the New York Islanders.
“He’s been playing really well down in Providence, and his confidence is high, so we’re excited to have him in the lineup,” Bruins coach Jim Montgomery said after Friday’s morning skate.
Boqvist has appeared in just one other game for Boston this season – a 4-3 overtime loss to the Anaheim Ducks on Oct. 26 – but he has 14 points in 24 games with AHL Providence. The 25-year-old forward scored two goals and two assists in a 5-1 win against Wilkes-Barre Scranton on Saturday in his last outing.
Coming off a four-point night, Boqvist said he’s been working on every aspect of his game down in Providence this season, but learning Boston’s system was the biggest adjustment after spending the first four years of his career with New Jersey.
“[I learned] how the wings play, I guess; how I can be successful within this system,” Boqvist said. “I want to play fast and with the puck, and strong defensively and all that, but fast with the puck and create chances.”
Boqvist practiced on the third line with Trent Frederic and James van Riemsdyk, with Frederic shifting to center since Montgomery wanted to create more size down the middle against the Islanders.
Given van Riemsdyk’s size and net front presence, Montgomery believes Boqvist’s contrasting style can complement the other two.
“[His] speed, the ability to push the pace with that line, right? Go vertical a little bit,” Montgomery said.
Boqvist likely won’t be able to crack into the full-time lineup, unless a string of losses necessitates a shake-up of some kind, but Friday’s game could go a long way in solidifying his spot in the pecking order when it comes to call-ups for injuries or otherwise.
Despite those implications, neither Montgomery nor Boqvist himself wants to put any extra pressure on the situation.
“Just keep going and keep building off that path I’m on,” Boqvist said as the message he got from Montgomery. “Just keep going. It’s going to be a lot of fun today, for sure.”