The B's are back
INGEMI: BRUINS ARE ‘JUICED’ AFTER RETURN FROM CHINA
With the group from China back home, the Bruins are getting closer to an answer in their position battles.
Coach Bruce Cassidy was on the ice as the B’s domestic group skated yesterday morning, getting some of his first looks at the squad that stayed in the states.
“Some of the players I don’t know that well who are competing as depth guys,” said Cassidy. “(Steve) Kampfer I’ve had years ago. Other than that, no. Getting the whole group together will get us re-energized.”
With games in Detroit and Philadelphia over the next three days, most of the China group will stay behind. The first time both units will be on the ice together is likely Tuesday before their preseason game at home against the Red Wings on Wednesday.
“Sometimes it drags on at the end,” said Cassidy. “But because they haven’t been together as a group, it might give us a little juice.”
After the two games in China, where the Bruins handed Calgary two defeats, some of the young players may get a chance to skate in either Detroit or, more likely, against the Flyers on Monday, according to Cassidy.
With everyone back in the states, the competition should heat up again between some of the young centers after the trio made good impressions overseas.
“(Ryan) Donato was good in Game 1,” said Cassidy. “He made some plays, had some turnovers, some usual stuff we work with young guys on. But I love his initiative. He wants to make things happen. I thought (Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson) had pockets of really good shifts, and other times he got tentative and we had to remind him it’s 60 minutes. (Trent) Frederic was good on the kill with (David) Backes, they worked as partners. He scored a goal, so offensively, they all kind of chipped in. Jack (Studnicka) got in penalty trouble, I’m not sure they were all his fault, but he’s learning hands and sticks have to stay off the body.”
None of the trio will play in Detroit, but Monday might be the day of reckoning as far as who is ahead in the competition for the third line center slot.
“Monday we’ll get another look, then we have to decide how are we shaping up here,” said Cassidy. “Because by then you’re looking at where (Sean) Kuraly is going to fit in, and hopefully (Patrice Bergeron) is ready to go by then, then (David) Krejci, who his linemate is going to be on the right side. Now we’re looking at the guys who are here, where they fit in, and less about evaluations.”
With everyone soon back working on the same sheet of ice, it’ll be a better chance to evaluate the young players. Cassidy is still committed to giving them a shot at the open forward slots, but veterans like Daniel Winnik and Lee Stempniak have continued to offer ample competition.
“When we talk about invites, what if it breaks down to, what if the young guys don’t step up, what’s the plan B,” said Cassidy. “I think we have enough bodies to do that, but it becomes what if we have an injury, here’s a guy who has played.”
The roster for the game in Detroit will be released this morning ahead of the contest, and will likely be mostly the group that played in the two games against Washington. And once everyone is back in the fold, that leaves just a week to narrow it down before the season opener on Oct.3, when the B’s will watch the Capitals raise their Stanley Cup banner.