Cehlarik faces make-or-break camp
Peter Cehlarik has come up from Providence on occasion the last couple of years and given the Bruins a boost with his skill, vision and knack for making plays.
But those stints have all been short-term bursts. Before too long he’s found himself in the AHL.
Still, that kind of talent sitting down on the farm has been nice to have. But if Cehlarik can’t stick on the NHL roster out of camp, then the B’s may not have that piece of organizational depth any longer. For the first year in his still young career, the 24-year-old Cehlarik — a third-round pick in 2013 — will require waivers to be sent to Providence (Anton Blidh is in the same boat). While there’s no certainty Cehlarik would get snatched up, there is a decentchance.
That won’t make the team any easier to make. There is a lot of competition for the left-shot wing. On that side, he’s not knocking Brad Marchand or Jake DeBrusk out of a job. It appears Anders Bjork could get a long look as the third-line left winger and Joakim Nordstrom has the inside track to the fourth-line spot. There’s also free agent signee center/wing Par Lindholm. On the right side, there’s David Pastrnak, Karson Kuhlman, lefty Danton Heinen, free agent signee Brett Ritchie, Chris Wagner and David Backes.
That’s a lot of bodies to climb over.
Maybe it would be a blessing if he got plucked off waivers by another team, but Cehlarik is not looking at what may be in store for him down the road.
“It’s going to a big year. I’m just going to focus on what I can control,” said Cehlarik. “I know (his waiver status) is there, but I’m trying not to think about it. I’m here. I’m Boston’s player right now so I’m going to focus on my play.”
Cehlarik said he worked with a new skating coach over the summer and believes it paid dividends
“I’ve been working on my edge work, my speed and my agility. I think it’s paid off. I feel a lot better on my skates. That was the biggest thing,” Cehlarik said.
“I’m trying to use my crossovers instead of a straight line. I’m trying to be quicker in my change of directions. I’m still a big body and I’m not going to change the style of my game, but it helps.”
While Cehlarik’s skating may not be his best attribute, coach Bruce Cassidy believes it’s good enough for the NHL. What the coach needs to see is more consistency.
“It was more about his habits with the puck and making sure he stayed consistent, contributing every night,” Cassidy said. “I think he’s been hot when he first got here and there’s been a drop-off, so we’d like to see a consistent element out of him. Some of that is opportunity, too. We have to keep him here longer. But it’s getting tougher and tougher with the growth of our younger guys on the wing with the Heinens and the DeBrusks. So it’s a challenge for Pete. We like the way he plays, but it’s too early to say if he’s over that hurdle.”
Bruins notes
A promising sign in the second session of practice yesterday was Patrice Bergeron, battling an ongoing groin injury, back on the ice and in a regular jersey as opposed to the red noncontact one he’d been wearing.
Bergeron was back in his familiar spot between Marchand and Pastrnak. Nordstrom (foot) was also back. …
Cassidy said Zach Senyshyn and Axel Andersson sustained minor injuries in Monday’s exhibition in New Jersey. While neither undisclosed injury is believed to be long term, both players were ruled out for tonight’s preseason game in Philadelphia. …
While it’s always dangerous to read too much into line combinations in training camp, it’s worth noting Charlie Coyle centered what could be an interesting third line between left winger Bjork and right winger Heinen, while Ritchie skated on a line with David Krejci.