2023 Training Camp

[Blowfish]

Marchand Coyle JDB
#2LW Zacha Pastrnak
#3LW Geekie Frederic
Lucic #4C #4RW

After a week of camp, some thoughts on how things are playing out so far…

#2LW
JVR was the pre-camp favorite. He’s been ok. Not great, not awful. Vets can take time to ramp up.
Heinen has been excellent. Stealing pucks, making plays and picking corners. He’s forcing his way onto this team in some capacity.
Wild Card: Lysell looks really good with #63 and if he earns a spot on the Marchand line they could move JDB moves to Zacha’s LW.
Wilder Card: Harrison has been scoring goals in buckets. He‘s on a line with Steen and the two of them have been wreaking havoc.

#3LW
I think Boqvist was the pre-camp favorite, but he should be worrried. He was skating with Hall and Pederson today. Message sent.
Heinen has been better than Boqvist and is a classic two-way 3rd liner.
Richard has looked good with Geekie and Freddy. He brings the speed they lost from Hall and has that “I’m desperate to make the team” determination to his game.
Toporowski hasn’t been playing with top line players (which makes me think he’s a long shot) but he also looks really quick and determined and he’s sniping out there.
Wild Card: Merkulov gets moved to wing. He’s been good in camp, good shooter, good passer, good pace, and has played LW.

#4C
I think Brown was the pre-camp favorite, and he’s doing well. Scored some nice goals today but he did it from the wing.
McLaughlin is pushing hard for a spot. He played center today with Lucic and Brown. He’s been fast, physical and tenacious.
Beecher has gotten all the hype and he’s doing well, but he’s not as hungry for this spot as McLaughlin IMHO.

#4RW
I think Lauko was the pre-camp favorite and he’s doing well. He’s using his speed, he’s scoring and he’s made some nice plays.
Chiasson is also pushing hard for a spot. He’s got NHL size, he’s got speed, he’s experienced and you can see it with good stick positioning. This will be a tough cut.
Steen has had a really good camp and is looking like the guy we saw two years ago.

OT: Poitras has also been really good. He’s skating with Pasta and keeping up, reading #88 and making plays. We’ll see where it goes.

PM love the way this was presented...thanks again for posting.

 

[Dr Hook]

I told myself to be cautious with optimism after last years first round, but here we are again getting involved so early.


DR, I'm seeing Danton everywhere and you are not helping

As soon as he gets signed, I'll change it

 

[HustleB]

I suppose it's possible he gets claimed if put on waivers. But a Zboril-Shattenkirk bottom pair is ugly.

It may be ironic in a way that the nostalgia of signing Lucic for 1m, instead of going with Greer at 760k, might mean a Merkulov or Beecher start the year in the AHL. If they REALLY made a case for themselves I'm sure they can make the cap work... but I think with all things being relatively even, they are going to start the year with a lineup that banks cap space. Let the kids start in the AHL and who really shakes out come December AND create a tiny bit of space along the way.

I think Lucic is well worth the extra cost over Greer. Greer is a guy who appears to be less than his numbers to me.

 

[Dr Quincy]

I think Lucic is well worth the extra cost over Greer. Greer is a guy who appears to be less than his numbers to me.

While Lucic's defensive numbers make him appear a far worse player at this point than Greer is to me.

For the people complaining about Monty not going to give the kids a chance... It's Sweeney who gifted a nostalgia act a spot on the roster no matter what.

 

[Gee Wally]

Oskar Steen hopes for more than just cameos with the Bruins this season - The Boston Globe

Steen has spent most of the last three campaigns with Providence. Now, with vacancies available, he has his sights set on a permanent role with the varsity.

www.bostonglobe.com

Oskar Steen was having a good time.
The Bruins’ winger was bumped up to a top line at Saturday’s Group A practice, plunked on the right side with center Charlie Coyle and Brad Marchand. Needless to say, Steen enjoyed himself.
“It was fun. Two great players and it’s easier to play with good players, so it makes me better, too,” he said.
Steen has spent most of the last three campaigns with Providence, earning cameos in Boston the last three seasons totaling 26 games, including a three-game call-up last season. Now, with vacancies available, he has his sights set on a permanent role with the varsity.

course. There are some big opportunities this year,” he said. “A lot of players left, so yeah, I want to be the guy that steps into the lineup this year.”

Given his age (25) and the amount of time in the AHL, Bruins coach Jim Montgomery was asked if he senses any urgency from Steen.

“I would say his play has shown some urgency. I think he’s very comfortable, too, as far as camp is [concerned],” said Montgomery. “Everybody that was here in camp last year, they kind of know the drills and routine. They’re a little more used to me. So, I think that we’ve had a camp that’s been very good so far in the early going, just because a lot of people are just familiar with it.”

Steen said he concentrated on getting quicker and stronger with his off-ice work in preparation for camp, and it has already paid dividends.

“I’ve got more experiences here and I feel more comfortable, so I’m just trying to do my best here every day and don’t think too much and just do my job,” said Steen, a sixth-round selection in 2016.

Steen scored one goal in three games with Boston last year, but more importantly left an impression on Montgomery with his spirited play.

“It was good to get some games in front of Monty,” said Steen, a native of Karlstad, Sweden. “[The staff] liked my games, the three games I played. [They said] I was playing with a lot of pace, getting pucks to the net, and getting my shot off.”

At 5 feet, 9 inches and 200 pounds, Steen has a low center of gravity and is strong on his skates. He can park himself down low and take some punishment without getting thrown off his game.

“He’s very heavy and … it’s more important that you are heavy to play against than you are high,” said Montgomery. “Like when people talk about players being physical, I would take a 5-9, 195-pound player over a 6-3, 195-pound player. They’re going to be heavier. I’m talking about heaviness.”

“What we’re looking to improve as a team, we want to be physical in front. He’s been physical. When [Steen] is on top of his game, that’s what he’s doing,” said the coach. “He’s getting to the hard areas, driving the hard areas, making it hard on other teams to have time and space.”

 

[HustleB]

Other then DeBrusk every single guy is fighting for a spot or minutes.

While Lucic's defensive numbers make him appear a far worse player at this point than Greer is to me.

For the people complaining about Monty not going to give the kids a chance... It's Sweeney who gifted a nostalgia act a spot on the roster no matter what.

calling Lucic a nostalgia act is pretty harsh. We were too soft last year for our 12/13 forward spot we have a guy most people call a top 5 fighter and many here said top 3. I think he’ll be fine but we shall see.

 

[Fenian24]

It could happen, but JVR would have to forfeit his stake on that position, and I don't see that happening, at least not for a while.

Do you believe Frederic deserves that role, or do you simply want to see what he has?

Montgomery's motivation is to win games, and if he believes JVR gives him a better chance than Frederic to do that, he'll go with JVR. This isn't a rebuilding season, and the emphasis will be on winning, not, particularly, on development.

Recall that those 17 goals came on a stacked team that went on a historic regular season run.

What will Trent give you this season, when the Bruins will rely primarily on their goaltending and defense to win low scoring games.



You have to ask?

Get rid of Zboril. Yesterday.

I think he deserves it as much as JVR who wasn't productive last year. I expect both to make the team and would like to try a physical guy with Pasta unless they break up Marchand and Debrusk and put DeBrusk with Pasta.

 

[Dr Quincy]

Other then DeBrusk every single guy is fighting for a spot or minutes.

calling Lucic a nostalgia act is pretty harsh. We were too soft last year for our 12/13 forward spot we have a guy most people call a top 5 fighter and many here said top 3. I think he’ll be fine but we shall see.

I'm not sure if you watched a lot of Calgary, or what you are basing the "I think he'll be fine" on, other than fond memories.

Of all the Fs on Calgary, only Dillon Dube was on the ice for more goals against per 60 than Lucic. But the Flames scored a lot more goals per 60 with Dube on the ice than Lucic. As a result, 60% of the goals scored while Lucic was on the ice were for the other team.

It's great he's a top 5 fighter. He fought 3 times last year. I think we disagree on whether those 3 fights outweigh 840 minutes of being out scored at a 60-40% rate.

 

[sarge88]

I'm not sure if you watched a lot of Calgary, or what you are basing the "I think he'll be fine" on, other than fond memories.

Of all the Fs on Calgary, only Dillon Dube was on the ice for more goals against per 60 than Lucic. But the Flames scored a lot more goals per 60 with Dube on the ice than Lucic. As a result, 60% of the goals scored while Lucic was on the ice were for the other team.

It's great he's a top 5 fighter. He fought 3 times last year. I think we disagree on whether those 3 fights outweigh 840 minutes of being out scored at a 60-40% rate.

Different team, system and line mates though.

So far a lot of people who have seen him play say his skating has been good.

I‘m cautiously optimistic that he’ll be a solid 4th liner here.

 

[Smitty93]

It feels like Lucic is here for one reason, and one reason only, and that's to fill the leadership void left by Bergeron, Krejci, and Foligno, which frankly does not speak well of the rest of the roster if Sweeney didn't think they were capable of filling that role themselves.

 

[4ORRBRUIN]

It feels like Lucic is here for one reason, and one reason only, and that's to fill the leadership void left by Bergeron, Krejci, and Foligno, which frankly does not speak well of the rest of the roster if Sweeney didn't think they were capable of filling that role themselves.

What?

 

[sarge88]

It feels like Lucic is here for one reason, and one reason only, and that's to fill the leadership void left by Bergeron, Krejci, and Foligno, which frankly does not speak well of the rest of the roster if Sweeney didn't think they were capable of filling that role themselves.

I think it’s as much about attitude/toughness /culture maintenance (which of course is a part if leadership).

 

[PlayMakers]

I think it’s as much about attitude/toughness /culture maintenance (which of course is a part if leadership).

They’ve also talked about nothing but being more physical. They work it into every discussion and tweet. Well, Lucic is nothing if not more physical.

 

[Gordoff]

Why I like the multi stripes! Look at those socks!View attachment 745337

Need the shoulder patches though.

 

[Mick Riddleton]

Looking forward to the kids showcasing themselves tomorrow. Hopefully one or two make a good impression. Competition internally will be tough but that is needed. The best will do what the Brad the Captain did when he was a rookie, grab it by the throat and make them keep you.

 

[bbfan419]

Tomorrow’s Globe hockey notes:


Asked on Wednesday about plans to discuss a contract extension with Jake DeBrusk, Sweeney said, “We’d like to know if Jake indeed does want to be here … and hopefully we can find common ground,” then added he’d like to see the 26-year-old winger remain in Black and Gold. That said, if Sweeney can engage in substantive talks for a legit No. 1 center, be it Elias Lindholm (Calgary) or Mark Scheifele (Winnipeg), it’s a given that DeBrusk would be bundled into the package …

DeBrusk is one of the few young forwards we have that can score, I want him signed long term, if we traded for someone like a Lindholm or Schiefele, I would hope JDB is not dealt, rather deal someone else be it Carlo, Ullmark, Grizz, Coyle etc.

 

[Guelph Bruin]

Regarding Bo

Marchand Coyle JDB
#2LW Zacha Pastrnak
#3LW Geekie Frederic
Lucic #4C #4RW

After a week of camp, some thoughts on how things are playing out so far…

#2LW
JVR was the pre-camp favorite. He’s been ok. Not great, not awful. Vets can take time to ramp up.
Heinen has been excellent. Stealing pucks, making plays and picking corners. He’s forcing his way onto this team in some capacity.
Wild Card: Lysell looks really good with #63 and if he earns a spot on the Marchand line they could move JDB moves to Zacha’s LW.
Wilder Card: Harrison has been scoring goals in buckets. He‘s on a line with Steen and the two of them have been wreaking havoc.

#3LW
I think Boqvist was the pre-camp favorite, but he should be worrried. He was skating with Hall and Pederson today. Message sent.
Heinen has been better than Boqvist and is a classic two-way 3rd liner.
Richard has looked good with Geekie and Freddy. He brings the speed they lost from Hall and has that “I’m desperate to make the team” determination to his game.
Toporowski hasn’t been playing with top line players (which makes me think he’s a long shot) but he also looks really quick and determined and he’s sniping out there.
Wild Card: Merkulov gets moved to wing. He’s been good in camp, good shooter, good passer, good pace, and has played LW.

#4C
I think Brown was the pre-camp favorite, and he’s doing well. Scored some nice goals today but he did it from the wing.
McLaughlin is pushing hard for a spot. He played center today with Lucic and Brown. He’s been fast, physical and tenacious.
Beecher has gotten all the hype and he’s doing well, but he’s not as hungry for this spot as McLaughlin IMHO.

#4RW
I think Lauko was the pre-camp favorite and he’s doing well. He’s using his speed, he’s scoring and he’s made some nice plays.
Chiasson is also pushing hard for a spot. He’s got NHL size, he’s got speed, he’s experienced and you can see it with good stick positioning. This will be a tough cut.
Steen has had a really good camp and is looking like the guy we saw two years ago.

OT: Poitras has also been really good. He’s skating with Pasta and keeping up, reading #88 and making plays. We’ll see where it

Marchand Coyle JDB
#2LW Zacha Pastrnak
#3LW Geekie Frederic
Lucic #4C #4RW

After a week of camp, some thoughts on how things are playing out so far…

#2LW
JVR was the pre-camp favorite. He’s been ok. Not great, not awful. Vets can take time to ramp up.
Heinen has been excellent. Stealing pucks, making plays and picking corners. He’s forcing his way onto this team in some capacity.
Wild Card: Lysell looks really good with #63 and if he earns a spot on the Marchand line they could move JDB moves to Zacha’s LW.
Wilder Card: Harrison has been scoring goals in buckets. He‘s on a line with Steen and the two of them have been wreaking havoc.

#3LW
I think Boqvist was the pre-camp favorite, but he should be worrried. He was skating with Hall and Pederson today. Message sent.
Heinen has been better than Boqvist and is a classic two-way 3rd liner.
Richard has looked good with Geekie and Freddy. He brings the speed they lost from Hall and has that “I’m desperate to make the team” determination to his game.
Toporowski hasn’t been playing with top line players (which makes me think he’s a long shot) but he also looks really quick and determined and he’s sniping out there.
Wild Card: Merkulov gets moved to wing. He’s been good in camp, good shooter, good passer, good pace, and has played LW.

#4C
I think Brown was the pre-camp favorite, and he’s doing well. Scored some nice goals today but he did it from the wing.
McLaughlin is pushing hard for a spot. He played center today with Lucic and Brown. He’s been fast, physical and tenacious.
Beecher has gotten all the hype and he’s doing well, but he’s not as hungry for this spot as McLaughlin IMHO.

#4RW
I think Lauko was the pre-camp favorite and he’s doing well. He’s using his speed, he’s scoring and he’s made some nice plays.
Chiasson is also pushing hard for a spot. He’s got NHL size, he’s got speed, he’s experienced and you can see it with good stick positioning. This will be a tough cut.
Steen has had a really good camp and is looking like the guy we saw two years ago.

OT: Poitras has also been really good. He’s skating with Pasta and keeping up, reading #88 and making plays. We’ll see where it goes.

Regarding Boqvist, he was with Pasta and Poitras the other day ... not a good showing? People point to the management seeing the Poitras with Pasta chemistry ... which is likely not a this year thing but a long term goal ..... for the short term I actually think it was to see if Boqvist and Pasta had chemistry ...wouldn't be surprised to see them paired again in the second game ..not sure if they are sold on either JVR or Heinin being the 2nd line options for Pasta ...might be more interested in speed and skill to match compliment speed and skill. I didn't see how the line played, just read a lot about Poitras being excited to play with Pasta. Boqvist shit the bed on that line on that day?

 

[The Andrew Peeke Fan]

Regarding Bo



Regarding Boqvist, he was with Pasta and Poitras the other day ... not a good showing? People point to the management seeing the Poitras with Pasta chemistry ... which is likely not a this year thing but a long term goal ..... for the short term I actually think it was to see if Boqvist and Pasta had chemistry ...wouldn't be surprised to see them paired again in the second game ..not sure if they are sold on either JVR or Heinin being the 2nd line options for Pasta ...might be more interested in speed and skill to match compliment speed and skill. I didn't see how the line played, just read a lot about Poitras being excited to play with PastaT. Boqvist shit the bed on that line on that day?

They're sold on Danton. He hits the ice with a tectonic release, there is a turbulence about him. I think the kids need to take shelter under their school desks, and this isn't a drill, either. Guy's a '95 birthyear and Canada didn't become fully exclusionary regarding WMDs until '98; big missile out of B.C.

 

[Mr. Make-Believe]

While Lucic's defensive numbers make him appear a far worse player at this point than Greer is to me.

For the people complaining about Monty not going to give the kids a chance... It's Sweeney who gifted a nostalgia act a spot on the roster no matter what.

Hardly fair to call out just the one player though, when Sweeney also brought in Shattenkirk, JVR, Brown and PTOs to Chiasson and Heinen. That’s a ton of we-know-what-you-are (meh) and not a lot of upside.

Lucic is a guy I’ve bit on admittedly, partly because I believe in the physical element and leadership he promises… and partly because I’m influenced by my love of him, which leads me to be irrational and forgiving. If he wasn’t Lucic but another franchise’s equivalent, I’d be just as critical as you are.

As it stands, I have an entire fistfull soggy shit sandwich that I can focus my disappointment on instead.

 

[Fenian24]

Regarding Bo



Regarding Boqvist, he was with Pasta and Poitras the other day ... not a good showing? People point to the management seeing the Poitras with Pasta chemistry ... which is likely not a this year thing but a long term goal ..... for the short term I actually think it was to see if Boqvist and Pasta had chemistry ...wouldn't be surprised to see them paired again in the second game ..not sure if they are sold on either JVR or Heinin being the 2nd line options for Pasta ...might be more interested in speed and skill to match compliment speed and skill. I didn't see how the line played, just read a lot about Poitras being excited to play with Pasta. Boqvist shit the bed on that line on that day?

Yes by all means, let's put a guy who had 21 points last year on what will be our top line by default. If this is close to being the case they need to move DeBrusk back to LW and hope Lysell, Frederic, JVR or another RW can have some success with Marchand on his line.

Not really fair to Marchand, they are already giving him the Coyle anchor and now who knows what at RW but it's better than Boqvist with Pasta and Zacha.

 

[bruinmann77]

Yes see the youngsters play to bad I stuck in Ny with the ranchers feed

 

[Gordoff]

Yes see the youngsters play to bad I stuck in Ny with the ranchers feed

Oh yeaaah, the ol' "Ny Ranchers feed." Is it for cattle?

 

[JOKER 192]

It could happen, but JVR would have to forfeit his stake on that position, and I don't see that happening, at least not for a while.

Do you believe Frederic deserves that role, or do you simply want to see what he has?

Montgomery's motivation is to win games, and if he believes JVR gives him a better chance than Frederic to do that, he'll go with JVR. This isn't a rebuilding season, and the emphasis will be on winning, not, particularly, on development.

Recall that those 17 goals came on a stacked team that went on a historic regular season run.

What will Trent give you this season, when the Bruins will rely primarily on their goaltending and defense to win low scoring games.



You have to ask?

Get rid of Zboril. Yesterday.

Excellent post , shedding light for those who choose not to see.

JVR has no worries as to where he starts the season, it's not even a question . Like Marchy is Captain . Same level .

Fredric, would be lucky to reproduce last season . He's very unlikely to shoot > 14 % and very unlikely to even have the chance.

Absolutely right on Monty's motivation.

Bruins simply can not expect Freddy to duplicate last season . This will not be a 135 point team you need to shave 30-35 points off that total.

 

[JOKER 192]

I think Sweeney got JVR to replace Bertuzzi’s net front presence and playmaking down low, but what I think JVR (and Bertuzzi) lack is a good defensive game. And what Zacha and Pasta lack is a good defensive winger. So on paper at least, there’s a potential fit for Frederic on that line. Frederic will play the net front, and he’s a strong defensive winger. I don’t know that he has the offensive chops to hang with those two, but I wouldn’t have been against trying Frederic on that wing.

I wish that was true but it's not, Freddy is a 3rd liner at best. I'd be surprised if he can reproduce last season.

 

[The don godfather]

Ok I dusted off my danton heinen rookie card. Let's go!