6 things we learned from the Bruins’ preseason
COMMENTARY
Now that the preseason is in the books, NHL teams are looking toward the start of the 2017-18 regular season, which kicks off Wednesday night. However, for many teams the preseason brought on some interesting storylines and at the same time, gave us an idea of what to expect this coming season.
For the Bruins, this is no different. But before the puck drops Thursday night, let’s take a look at some important notes from the Bruins’ preseason.
Anders Bjork makes the team:
After an impressive rookie camp, combined with a need on the Bruins’ top line alongside Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron, the spot was Anders Bjork’s to lose. The former Notre Dame standout did nothing to show he’s not ready for the job in what was a very impressive preseason
With the Bruins heading toward a younger lineup, Bjork appears to be the perfect fit. Despite some success with Marchand and Bergeron during the preseason, head coach Bruce Cassidy is not opposed to moving Bjork up and down the lineup. Capable of playing both wings, Bjork will be an important asset for a Bruins team that looks to return to the playoffs for the second season in a row.
“Bjork seems like he’s going to be a fit. We’ve played him with [Bergeron] and [Marchand], but he can play the other side. So, he could flip and play the other side with Krejci and Pastrnak as well,” Cassidy said. “We haven’t looked at that much, but it could happen. But we like where his game is at right now.”
Jake DeBrusk impresses, sits on cusp of roster spot:
Heading into camp, a spot on the team wasn’t as much of a lock as Bjork, but it appears that Jake DeBrusk has done enough to earn him a spot on the roster out of the gate. With rosters set to be finalized by 5 p.m. Tuesday, DeBrusk’s dream can soon become a reality.
DeBrusk was given the opportunity to earn a spot on the Bruins second line with David Pastrnak and David Krejci. In what was a promising preseason, DeBrusk at the same time, did show some signs that he may not be ready for primetime just yet.
If DeBrusk does earn himself a call on opening night, his leash may be very short. But if DeBrusk can build off of his promising preseason, the 20-year old can be a sleeper for a Bruins offense that needs all the help they can get scoring goals.
Bruins lose Torey Krug to injury:
After missing the Bruins’ first round loss to the Ottawa Senators last season, Torey Krug was excited to get back into game action and get back into the swing of the things. The game action, well, that didn’t last long. Krug took a puck to the face while making his preseason debut in the Bruins’ second preseason game last month. The end result: a non-displaced fracture in his jaw.
Krug’s initial diagnosis was three weeks, leaving the Bruins with just one returning left-shot defenseman in Zdeno Chara.
With Krug’s injury, a new spot on the Bruins’ blueline has opened up. But unfortunately for the B’s, no one really stepped up and took the lead on the battle. Second year defensemen Rob O’Gara and Matt Grzelcyk and veteran Paul Postma are the final three in contention for Krug’s spot.
Roster spot not guaranteed for Frank Vatrano:
With the increase of NHL-ready forwards for the Bruins, Frank Vatrano may be the odd man out when 5 p.m. strikes on Tuesday.
After an inconsistent 2016-17 campaign, the Bruins were looking for Vatrano to work on rounding out his game some more and becoming more of a complete player. After a lackluster preseason, it appears Vatrano hasn’t made much progress in that department.
“We’re continuing to look for it,” Cassidy said of Vatrano’s all-around game. “It’s certainly not where we want it to be. It’s improving. Frank is really good in a straight line. His stick is getting better on the forecheck. He’s getting to some loose pucks. He’s reloading better. What we need to build off of that is when you’re getting to those loose pucks and turning them over, let’s stay on the battle and let’s make something happen from them.”
Vatrano has bounced all over the lineup in preseason after kicking camp off alongside David Backes and Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson.
Bruins treating Zdeno Chara like a 40-year old:
After appearing in just one preseason game, it’s clear the Bruins are trying to limit the mileage on their 40-year old captain.
“I don’t think Zee needs it to be honest with you,” Cassidy said about Chara’s preseason work. “He’s been around a long time and he’ll get his work in at practice. It might be a little more measurable down the road, so there’s always an advantage with a little less wear and tear.”
On track to begin the season alongside Brandon Carlo, the Bruins are wise to limit the minutes of Chara. Last season Chara averaged 23:20 of time on ice per game, the lowest he’s seen since the 2001-02 season.
After being put into a tough spot, Bruins place Malcolm Subban on waivers:
After an inconsistent season in 2017-18 for Anton Khudobin as the Bruins backup to Tuukka Rask, some speculated the No. 2 goaltender spot may be up for grabs. Khudobin’s performance a season ago was not the only factor into that notion. Malcolm Subban’s wavier status was one of them.
Despite a solid showing in the preseason, Subban still hasn’t done enough to prove to be NHL ready. Aiming to be the guy in Providence, the AHL is a better fit Subban. However, one problem stood in the way. In order for the Bruins to send Subban down to their minor league affiliate, the 2012 first-round pick would need to clear waivers. With the chances of another team claiming Subban, the Bruins found themselves with a tough decision on their hands.
“Look, he requires waivers. We’re trying to manage it, as other teams are at this point, and we have other players that require waivers and we’re just trying to field the best team we possibly can and asset management is a part of it,” general manager Don Sweeney said prior the Bruins preseason contest with the Philadelphia Flyers last week.
Well, on Monday the Bruins placed Subban on waivers with the intent to assign the goaltender to Providence. Any other team can now claim Subban. However, doing so would require him to be added to an NHL roster. Assigning him to the AHL would require Subban to clear waivers yet again.
