For the primary time since Claude Julien took over for Dave Lewis previous to the 2007-08 season, the Bruins will begin coaching camp this week with a brand new coach.
New boss Jim Montgomery has introduced an “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” method to the Bruins and, contemplating the staff gained 51 video games final season, wholesale adjustments is not going to be taking place. But there will likely be tweaks, particularly in how the staff breaks out of the defensive zone and the way lively the defenseman will likely be.
And irrespective of who has the whistle, camp (starting with off-ice testing Wednesday and the primary on-ice classes Thursday) brings its share of points and questions. While a lot of the roster seems to be set, even with the damage issues they face, a lot can occur between now and the common season opener Oct. 12 in Washington.
Here are 5 inquiries to ponder earlier than camp:
- Will David Pastrnak have a contract extension earlier than camp is finished? When Pastrnak mentioned he loves Boston and the Bruins, there’s little cause to doubt him. He has by no means expressed the rest (at the least publicly) since he donned the sweater on his draft evening. GM Don Sweeney has additionally expressed a want to make him a long-term Bruin. It’s laborious to not assume a deal will get executed sooner or later. But no contract has been signed but and Pastrnak left open the door for negotiations to proceed into the common season. It would behoove each side to get one thing executed earlier than the Oct. 12 opener. No matter how centered gamers are, contract negotiations have a means of distracting them. And if for some cause the 2 sides can’t bridge no matter hole stays, it is a scenario that might not solely have a seismic impression of the way forward for this staff, it very effectively might impression the current. He’s headed into the ultimate yr of his present deal and will stroll away on the finish of the season with no compensation coming again to the staff. Even although the B’s have a laser give attention to this season, they can not let that occur. Sweeney mentioned he’s ready to enter the season and not using a deal executed however one has to consider he doesn’t need a Johnny Gaudreau scenario on his palms come the late spring. If a deal is just not executed by the commerce deadline, the guess is the B’s must look to guard their future.
- Can Fabian Lysell push for a Boston roster spot? The B’s have drafted some respectable backside six candidates over the previous couple of years, however gamers with reliable star potential? Not many. Lysell, nonetheless, has proven some very attention-grabbing flashes, each in junior, when he exploded within the Western Hockey League playoffs for the Vancouver Giants, and in worldwide play, the place his ability stood out for Team Sweden within the World Junior Championships lately. If the right-shooting Lysell can present that he’s prepared for some prime-time play — if just for a the couple of months that the B’s will likely be with out Brad Marchand — that might open up some attention-grabbing choices for Montgomery and Sweeney, who might then look to maneuver some wage.
- What’s the very best configuration of the protection? Without Charlie McAvoy and Matt Grzelcyk to begin the season, that is the world during which the B’s must have their water-treading expertise engaged on all cylinders. McAvoy is a real No. 1 defenseman who performs in all conditions and Grzelcyk, when wholesome, strikes the puck out of his finish very effectively. The late season acquisition of Hampus Lindholm, who might be a No. 1 on some NHL groups, will assist. He’ll probably be paired with Brandon Carlo to begin. Judging from the transient time they’d collectively final season, they may use the coaching camp time to construct a superb working relationship. Derek Forbort and Connor Clifton labored effectively collectively as a pairing final yr and must bump as much as the second slot. With Carlo and Clifton the one established right-handers on the roster, one of many lefties should bounce over to his offside. That might be Mike Reilly. He might pair with Jakub Zboril, who’s coming back from ACL surgical procedure.
- What can Pavel Zacha provide? The B’s didn’t make many additions within the offseason apart from the notable re-signings of Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci. But Zacha was an intriguing acquisition. Obtained in a commerce for Erik Haula, the 2015 sixth general choose appears to be like like a participant who might attain rather a lot increased than he was capable of in New Jersey. He’ll get a superb alternative out of the gate when he will get a glance in Marchand’s spot subsequent to Bergeron. At some level he’ll probably get dropped right down to the third line to play with Charlie Coyle when Marchand returns. If he may help to make that line a extra constant scoring risk, the B’s will likely be that significantly better for it. It will even be attention-grabbing because the yr goes on to see if he will get any alternatives to play heart to see what his price may be within the place. The B’s might be out there for some prime six pivots as quickly as subsequent summer season.
- Who wins the competitors for fourth-line spots? With the accidents the staff is dealing with, Nick Foligno ought to get the possibility to show that his two-goal season was an anomaly and never simply who he’s now. The B’s can’t afford that sort of output along with his $3.8 million wage. Tomas Nosek appeared like he was placing collectively a strong season for a fourth line however the puck by no means went in for him after Jan. 2. Jack Studnicka must get his profession again on the rails. Oskar Steen has to search out some profession traction himself. Marc McLaughlin is a reliable candidate at proper wing and even heart. John Beecher confirmed some shocking offensive pop final spring in Providence. Could AJ Greer power his means onto the roster with some dimension and edge? Is the fourth unit Trent Frederic’s eventual touchdown spot when everybody’s wholesome? Just who the gamers will likely be on the fourth line stays to be seen however, like most coaches, Montgomery needs the group to have that bodily, hard-to-play-against id that may be the distinction in tight video games. The competitors ought to be robust.
Source: www.bostonherald.com