If Jakub Lauko is without doubt one of the ultimate cuts by the point the Bruins need to get right down to the 23-man roster restrict on Monday, it will not be an enormous shock. The numbers crunch being what it’s, and the truth that he’s nonetheless waiver exempt, make a visit to Providence comprehensible for the 22-year-old Lauko.
But the truth that he was nonetheless right here on Saturday and getting yet another preseason recreation will inform you that coach Jim Montgomery and administration nonetheless see one thing within the 2018 third spherical choose.
Lauko is trying to shake off a reasonably disastrous 2021-22 marketing campaign in Providence, when he had simply 3-13-16 totals and was minus-28 in 54 video games, whereas lacking a few months with a excessive ankle sprain.
Montgomery was not acquainted with Lauko earlier than he got here right here however stated he feels Lauko’s taken the proper step to get his profession again on observe by using his all-important hard-to-play-against component.
“I don’t know what the communication was internally but I think the development team here did a real good job of letting him know how he needs to play because he’s done the things that I think builds momentum on the third or fourth line,” stated Montgomery on Saturday.
“He’s using his speed, he’s attacking the net, he’s physical. And he’s lippy out there. He’s a little bit of an agitator. He gets under people’s skin.”
Lauko stated he needed to take the nice from final 12 months, no matter which may be, however admitted he wanted a psychological reset as soon as the season was over. Among different issues, he took a visit to Amsterdam with buddies to wash out any destructive cobwebs.
“Last year, I don’t want to call it a complete disappointment because I learned a lot from that season. I know I had a big expectation for that season coming out of the Covid season. I felt really good on the ice and coming to the camp I thought ‘Hey, if I play the same way, I’m going to t make the team.’ But then I was just kind of struggling,” stated Lauko. “I had a long-term injury and I was deep in the crap. I couldn’t drag myself out of it. But after the season, I took a big break, where I didn’t think about hockey at all. I was just with my family and friends. Everyone was asking me ‘How was last season?’ I was like ‘Don’t ask me now. Ask me in like three weeks.’ I took a big break with no hockey or anything. I was just playing soccer, maybe a little bit of tennis. I just wanted to enjoy the life a little bit. And then I went back to work. I had a great summer. I was working my (butt) off. I was working out three, four times a day just to be ready for this camp to make a statement after last season. Hopefully, it’s going to pay off.”
Studnicka makes his case
Jack Studnicka was scheduled to be again within the lineup for his fifth preseason recreation on Saturday and, going into the competition in opposition to the Devils, he’d carried out a fairly good job of incomes his spot. That can be true even when he didn’t require waivers to be despatched down.
He had a great coaching camp final 12 months, too, however quickly discovered there was no room within the lineup for him. Still, he seems like he’s in a greater head house this 12 months.
“I feel like I’ve grown a lot over the year, just approaching the game mentally. If I have a bad shift, I’m not going to sit there and think about the bad shift. I’m just going to keep playing hockey and play off my instincts. It’s been going good so far,” stated Studnicka, now enjoying in a fourth line-type function.
“I think I’ve shown some versatility in teams of where to play in the lineup. The offense has been OK. I’ve contributed a little bit and I feel like I’ve been pretty sound in all other areas of my game.”
Studnicka, who nonetheless has a fairly slim body regardless of efforts to bulk up, did get blown up a few instances in opposition to the Rangers and Montgomery stated that he’s bought to learn to defend himself and the puck. He did pop proper up, although, and Studnicka feels it’s all within the recreation.
“Everyone keeps talking about those. They’re good hits. They happen. It’s not a big deal to me,” he stated. “I don’t look at a game and say I didn’t play very good because I got hit. I still played really good that game. It’s not a big deal to me, honestly. They’re going to happen. That’s hockey. I was just on the other end of them the other night.”
If Studnicka is within the lineup in Wednesday’s opener, Montgomery stated he’ll need to contribute on the penalty kill. Studnicka is very happy to pitch in there. With his lengthy attain and velocity, he was one thing of a shorthanded menace in Providence. He feels he’s been in a position to present his abilities in that division in camp.
“I’ve killed penalties since I was a teenager and I know what it’s all about and I think I’ve done pretty well so far,” stated Studnicka.
Smith bumps up
Craig Smith was getting bumped as much as play proper wing with Patrice Bergeron with Jake DeBrusk shifting again over to his pure left facet. Montgomery pointed to Smith’s velocity and tenacity.
“Patrice Bergeron is a really talented grinder. And he likes to work and he needs workers with him. So that fits well. Obviously, it’s just a placeholder until (Brad Marchand) gets back,” stated Montgomery….
Charlie Coyle was scratched for Saturday’s recreation for “precautionary” causes however he’s anticipated to be prepared for the season opener on Wednesday.
Source: www.bostonherald.com