Moore talent on B’s defense
While the competition at forward is heating up, the Bruins blue line is as secure as its been in years.
With depth from the top pairing to the seventh defender, the Bruins were confident enough in the group to ship veteran Adam McQuaid to the New York Rangers earlier in the preseason.
Part of that security comes from newcomer John Moore. The 27-year-old defenseman signed a five-year deal with the B’s over the summer. He jumps into a group that has spent a lot of time already playing together and building chemistry.
“For me, it’s a learning experience,” Moore said. “Trying to figure out the guys’ tendencies, how I can help them. I want to make sure I can help the team win, because that’s what it’s all about.”
Moore has skated primarily with Charlie McAvoy in line rushes at practice, but the B’s are still searching for where he best fits.
He was one of the players to go to China, which offered a unique opportunity to bond with new teammates.
“We were forced to spend a lot of time together,” said Moore. “The time change being what it was, no one was awake back home. So I spent a lot of time with the guys and selfishly I loved that, getting to know a lot of my new teammates. It was good from that perspective.”
As one of the only new veterans at camp likely to make the roster, with the other new faces mostly being younger players, Moore has had to step in and learn a system the rest of the blueliners already understood.
On top of making that adjustment, going overseas has him still getting reacclimated with the time change.
“I think it’s gone pretty well,” said Moore. “It’s a different training camp going to China. It’s good to be back. There were a lot of demands physically you’re not accustomed to, like the time change. But I’m excited it feels like training camp again.”
Moore is slated to average $2.75 million a year over the life of his deal, equal to what McQuaid earned. One key difference is the upside Moore offers. While the B’s are still figuring out exactly where he will slot, he has a ceiling that shows he could easily slip into a top-four role down the line.
The former Devil brings an extra speed element to the B’s back line as well, and with the five-year commitment, he’s going to get every chance to show what he can do.
While the others are returning to a familiar sheets of ice at Warrior Ice Arena and, later in the week, the Garden, Moore still is learning several aspects of his new team.
“It feels like the start of training camp almost,” he said. “The first part in Asia, and now here it’s a new team and facility, which is kind of nice feeling like a fresh start.”
The trip to China hasn’t allowed the entire team to unite just yet, but for Moore, the fresh start in the team’s return has been especially refreshing.
“Things out of our control limited our hockey a bit, but it’s good to be back here full throttle,” he said.
Bruins notes
Anders Bjork started to take contact yesterday, but coach Bruce Cassidy is still hoping to see him in game action.
“Hopefully there will be some games for him,” he said. “It’s tough to make the team without playing any exhibition games when you’re in his position.”
Bjork has spent time on the wing with David Krejci and Danton Heinen at practices before moving to the B’s first group, where he was with Jake DeBrusk and Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson . . . .
Patrice Bergeron skated again before practice and was joined by injured forwards Ryan Fitzgerald and Sean Kuraly. While Bergeron has stated his desire to get into a preseason contest, the goal is for him to be ready for opening night regardless.
“Hopefully he’s getting closer and that’s the idea,” said Cassidy. “We hope he is, but until he’s with the group it’s really hard to speculate. Hopefully that’s right around the corner. I’m planning on (him being back for the opener.) I’m sure he would tell you he’d love to play a game or two, but I don’t think that’s entirely necessary.”