2018 Camps

[cshea]

2nd round of cuts:


Axel Andersson returned to Djurgarden IF in the SEL

Cam Hughes, Joona Koppanen and Zach Senyshyn assigned to Providence.

Tanner Pond reporting to Providence

Some injury updates from earlier today too..

Bergy is progressing, Bruce says he is on track to be available Opening Night. If all goes well he could get into Saturday’s preseason finale.

Krug and Acciari are possible for Wednesday, so presumably they’re on track for the opener as well.

Kuraly hopefully skates tomorrow, guess he got dinged at some point. Bakos is done for camp, and no updates on Lauko and Nordstrom.

Ryan Fitzgerald and Jakub Zboril could return Saturday too.

 

[cshea]

More cuts coming this morning, they’re getting down to 1 group.

The 3C spot is getting a bit concerning to me. None of the kids have really stood out much, I guess Frederic may be slightly ahead of the the other 2? JFK got buried last night, 19% CF (out attempted 21-5 when he was on the ice). Philly iced most of their NHL team, so it’s a tough matchup, but that’s what he’s going to go up against on a nightly basis if he makes the team. Frederic was 43% which was good, but it seemed to me that his wingers, Cehlarik and Stempniak were doing most of the heavy lifting. Studnicka hasn’t shown enough, IMO, to stay with the club for a 9 game audition. He needed to really standout and I don’t think he’s done that.

Kuraly would seem to be an option, but that doesn’t enthuse me all that much and he is dinged up anyway. I guess maybe they could sign Winnik as a stop gap and let JFK and Frederic get some more time in Providence before bringing one up in November or so?

 

[cshea]

Practice lines today seems to answer some questions:

Marchand - JFK/Studnicka - Pastrnak
DeBrusk - Krejci - Heinen
Cehlarik - Frederic - Backes
Wagner - Acciari - Bjork/Donato

Chara - McAvoy
Krug - Carlo
Moore - Miller
Grzelyck - Kampfer

So my take in reading between the lines here is that Frederic is the 3C front runner with JFK/Studnicka filling in for Bergy. 2nd line probably stays at is. Cehlarik has impressed enough to nose his way into a possible wing spot. Grz the early man out on D (hopefully they rotate him in as much as possible early on).

 

[TheRealness]

Cehlarik was their best player on the ice last night, so good to see him getting rewarded.

I agree with your take on the 3C. I am most disappointed in JFK, I thought he would be better all around than he has been, but Frederic does seem ahead of both. I also wonder with Cehlarik looking really good where Donato will start the season. He took a real step back last night.

 

[cshea]

Last night didn’t do anything to alleviate the concerns at center. JFK and Frederic will make a few little plays here and there, but for the most part they both never seem to have the puck. I’m not sure what the solution here is. I guess if I had to pick, slight edge Frederic. He’ll stick his nose in there a bit more. JFK seems more tentative and cautious to me. The center problem is compounded with the injuries to Kuraly and Bergy. They say both should be ready to go on Wednesday, but it seems a little dicey to count on them at this point.

On the flip side, Vaakanainen had a really good game last night. I think he’s ready. He won’t make the club immediately, but I think he’ll be first up if/when the injury bug hits. He’s very smooth and made some nice plays at both blue lines.

McAvoy was the best player on the ice last night, which is good to see. He’s going to be a monster.

For the PTO guys...Stempniak has something left in the tank. He looks like he can help an NHL club, but I’m not sure that club will be the Bruins. They don’t really need a winger. Donato looks like a player, Cehlarik has shown well in preseason (another solid game last night), and they’ll have Bjork down in Providence so they’ve got plenty of options on the wing. Nordstrom is dinged up at the moment, but he will probably end up being the 13th forward when healthy so I don’t see much room for Stempniak. Winnik has a lower ceiling than Stempniak, but he can fill a role for the team. He can play center, kill penalties, etc. It might make more sense to sign Winnik as a stop gap until they figure out what they’ve got in the young C’s.

The goalies have all shown well this preseason. The bad news is they’ve been under siege most games. I know training camp and preseason games are always sloppy and this year they had the China wrench thrown in so it’s even worse, but I’d like to see a more cohesive performance on Saturday.

 

[TheRealness]

Backes played a fair amount of Center last night. I wonder if he's a potential solution for the third line.

Otherwise, I agree, I don't think either JFK or Frederic are NHL 3rd centers at this point. JFK is disappointing, but he's still very young and just doesn't look strong or fast enough. He seems like a tweener and my expectations for him have really cratered this preseason.

If everyone is healthy, Kuraly will be the 3C IMO. I don't see either JFK or Frederic playing over him.

 

[FL4WL3SS]

I actually love the idea of starting the season with Backes at center and then allowing the kids to develop and making a change later in the season.

 

[veritas]

I certainly don’t love it, but if the kids aren’t ready, he’s much better than Chris Wagner. Are Pasta, Heinen, and Donato your RWs then? Marchand, DeBrusk and Cehlarik on the left? Then some combination of Kuraly/Wagner/Acciari/Nordstrom is a 4th line that can eat a lot of minutes. Im on my phone, am I forgetting someone obvious here?

Edit: no didn’t forget anyone. I’m assuming Bjork starts in Providence

I like the idea of giving everyone a chance to claim that 3c spot, eventually they’ll probably need to use that cap space to fill it via trade

 

[BigMike]

On the flip side, Vaakanainen had a really good game last night. I think he’s ready. He won’t make the club immediately, but I think he’ll be first up if/when the injury bug hits. He’s very smooth and made some nice plays at both blue lines.
..
For the PTO guys...Stempniak has something left in the tank. He looks like he can help an NHL club, but I’m not sure that club will be the Bruins. They don’t really need a winger. Donato looks like a player, Cehlarik has shown well in preseason (another solid game last night), and they’ll have Bjork down in Providence so they’ve got plenty of options on the wing. Nordstrom is dinged up at the moment, but he will probably end up being the 13th forward when healthy so I don’t see much room for Stempniak. Winnik has a lower ceiling than Stempniak, but he can fill a role for the team. He can play center, kill penalties, etc. It might make more sense to sign Winnik as a stop gap until they figure out what they’ve got in the young C’s.

Sorry to chop a bit but only wanted to comment on a couple.

I think Vaak might be ready, if net very close to play at the NHL level. The question is , is he ready to play 100 games over the next 8 months at the NHL level. Given his size, etc. I have a pretty big fear that he will be ground into a pulp by January. He is best off playing most of this year in the AHL

In terms of Stempniak. He has had a hot week. I still look and see a guy who hasn't scored 20 goals in a season in 12 years. I just feel if you sign him, you are putting a youth who can do as much if not more. back, and Stempniak will show his 35 years as the season wears on.

Winnik is more interesting to keep as a 13/14 guy. He brings some size and grit to the bottom 6

 

[cshea]

This is probably pretty close to what we will see on Wednesday.


And PP units

 

[FL4WL3SS]

Not bad, not bad at all.

 

[Haunted]

I don't hate that at all. I'm a little nervous about secondary scoring, especially going against teams with a good shut-down line.

Also, wither Gryz?

 

[veritas]

I assume that means sent to Providence. Not shocking, but a bit disappointing

 

[lexrageorge]

I assume that means sent to Providence. Not shocking, but a bit disappointing

I seem to recall he got concussed late last season and missed the end of the year. It’s not surprising he needs another couple of months in Providence.

 

[The Napkin]

Also, wither Gryz?

lower body / maintenance day

 

[veritas]

https://www.nhl.com/bruins/news/bruins-sign-jakub-lauko-to-entry-level-contract/c-300472972

Lauko signed to an ELC and will be playing in the QMJHL this season. I think it's a great situation for him, he was playing way over his head last season in the Czech pro league. Which was good experience but this will give him a chance to work on his offensive game playing with his peers. And give him a year to adapt to life in North America.

Does anyone know if this means he won't be AHL eligible next season?

 

[Haunted]

lower body / maintenance day

Ah, ok. Maybe I'm higher on him than is deserved, but I think he's at least the 6th or 7th best defenseman on this team. I haven't watched any preseason, however.

 

[veritas]

Ah, ok. Maybe I'm higher on him than is deserved, but I think he's at least the 6th or 7th best defenseman on this team. I haven't watched any preseason, however.

I'd say 4th but I overrate him a bit probably

 

[McBride11]

This is probably pretty close to what we will see on Wednesday.


And PP units

Does this mean Bjork starts in Providence and that Ceharlik and Frederic are reserves for the Bs? Do all 3 go down for extra playing time?

 

[cshea]

Krug hurt tonight, apparently left the Garden in a boot.

 

[Eddie Jurak]

I think Vaak might be ready, if net very close to play at the NHL level. The question is , is he ready to play 100 games over the next 8 months at the NHL level. Given his size, etc. I have a pretty big fear that he will be ground into a pulp by January. He is best off playing most of this year in the AHL

Not a bad guy to have down there if that is how it shakes out.

 

[cshea]

Roster due today, I believe. Taking a stab at the Opening Night 23;

Marchand - Bergeron - Pastrnak
DeBrusk - Krejci - Heinen
Donato - Kuraly - Backes
Nordstrom - Wagner - Acciari
Frederic

Chara - McAvoy
Moore - Carlo
Grzelyck - Miller
Vaakanainen, Kampfer

Rask
Halak

IR: Krug

2 extra D since Grz has been dinged up. Frederic sticks as a Bergeron insurance policy. Bjork, Cehlarik sent down.

 

[cshea]

Cehlarik and Frederic sent down. Bjork still hanging around. Frederic going down must be good news on the Bergeron front.

 

[veritas]

Wow, UV on the PP1 unit today. That's huge, unless they're just keeping McAvoy on the 2nd unit because they know Grz/Krug will be ready

 

[TheRealness]

Wow, UV on the PP1 unit today. That's huge, unless they're just keeping McAvoy on the 2nd unit because they know Grz/Krug will be ready

UV has looked so smooth and solid that I really wonder if he has passed Gryz on the depth chart. Still, PP doesn't seem like his bag, so I would guess either Krug or Grz will start opening night in that spot.

 

[cshea]

Grz practiced but is not cleared for contact. The team hasn’t said anything, but if he is skating with them then I would say there is a non-zero chance he’ll be cleared for Wednesday. Krug didn’t practice and was reportedly in a walking boot after the game Saturday. I doubt he’ll be ready.

Vaakanainen on the PP is probably because he’s the only option and they don’t want to break up the 2 units they’ve had together in practice. It is either Vaak or Moore for that spot.

 

[cshea]

Krug will be in a boot for 3 weeks. Ankle injury, not related to the one he sustained at the end of last year.

 

[LogansDad]

Krug being hurt sucks, but hopefully he comes back full health, and that is still a pretty solid D-corps. Also, I haven't seen Vaakanainen play yet, but you guys and the internet have had some good things to say, so if it gets him some experience and he can hold his own, I think it could turn out to be a good thing.

Just hope the ankle thing doesn't linger for Krug.

 

[burstnbloom]

I know it has appeared like Kuraly was going to be the 3c since July but I really thought something would change before opening night but clearly not. I think that is going to be a problem. Kuraly has very little offensive upside.

 

[LogansDad]

I don't disagree, but it also seems like a position that may be able to be improved from within as the P-Bruin guys get more experience, and hopefully develop into NHL players as the season goes on.

 

[cshea]

It makes me nervous when the primary division competition is running Tavares/Matthews/Kadri and Stamkos/Point/Johnson down the middle. I like Kuraly, but he is a perfect 4th line center. JFK’s camp was disappointing, they were right to send him down. Ditto Frederic, although he was less disappointing given this was his first camp and he only has a handful of pro games under his belt. I’m sure one of them will get a shot if they show well early in Providence, but the center plan is concerning.

Sam Gagner is on waivers today. He’d help, but the contract ($3.15 AAV this season and next) is probably prohibitive. They need free room for next year when McAvoy, Carlo, Heinen, Donato need new deals. On the trade front I’d be all over Duchene but that might be a tough one to pull off. The Sens seem to not want to trade in the division and on top of that they’re probably going to ask for the moon given what they gave up to get him. But I’d call in case he could be had for a reasonable rental price. Something like a spare winger and a 2nd round pick. He is only 27, if they got Duchene and things went well he could be a nice piece for the Bergeron/Krejci succession plan.

 

[Salem's Lot]

It makes me nervous when the primary division competition is running Tavares/Matthews/Kadri and Stamkos/Point/Johnson down the middle. I like Kuraly, but he is a perfect 4th line center. JFK’s camp was disappointing, they were right to send him down. Ditto Frederic, although he was less disappointing given this was his first camp and he only has a handful of pro games under his belt. I’m sure one of them will get a shot if they show well early in Providence, but the center plan is concerning.

Sam Gagner is on waivers today. He’d help, but the contract ($3.15 AAV this season and next) is probably prohibitive. They need free room for next year when McAvoy, Carlo, Heinen, Donato need new deals. On the trade front I’d be all over Duchene but that might be a tough one to pull off. The Sens seem to not want to trade in the division and on top of that they’re probably going to ask for the moon given what they gave up to get him. But I’d call in case he could be had for a reasonable rental price. Something like a spare winger and a 2nd round pick. He is only 27, if they got Duchene and things went well he could be a nice piece for the Bergeron/Krejci succession plan.

Duchene would be a good add assuming Ottawa would deal him here, considering that he’s a UFA next season. I don’t think they should take on anyone with term left and over $3 million on the cap until they figure out McAvoy’s extension. I’d rather roll with Kuraly and take a step back this season than risk screwing up the cap long term, or ending up with a hold out situation with our best young defenseman we’ve had in this organization since Ray Bourque. That has to be goal #1 for Sweeney to get him signed long term.