Youth movement ready to give Bruins a boost

BUFFALO, N.Y. – The NHL is a copycat league.

When a team wins the Stanley Cup, other organizations attempt to replicate that success. Hockey, especially at the pro level, is faster than ever. Teams are relying on younger players to contribute almost immediately. Sure, the salary cap has a lot to do with that mentality, but the proper mix of veteran and prospects could lead to perennial success.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are a perfect example.

Yes, when a team has some of the best talent in the world, including today’s greatest player, Sidney Crosby, it goes a long way. But the Penguins’ influx of youth, along with putting those players in positions to succeed, has become the blueprint for the organization’s back-to-back championships.

The team has an identity. It has a personality. It’s held two Stanley Cup parades in the last two years.

Believe it or not, the Bruins’ current depth chart almost mirrors the Penguins. We’re not here to announce the Bruins prospects will all be Hall of Famers, but they’ve shown over the last few days at the Prospects Challenge at HarborCenter that there’s hope for Boston.

The compete level during rookie camp has been off the charts. It’s not about the wins and losses. It’s about development. There are certain players that have a real opportunity to earn a roster spot with the Bruins out of training camp.

Obviously, defenseman Charlie McAvoy will be a top-pairing defenseman in Boston. Forwards Anders Bjork, Jake DeBrusk, Jakob Forsbacka-Karlsson, Danton Heinen, Sean Kurarly and Zach Senyshyn all have a chance to impact Boston’s roster at some point soon.

The Bruins could use some youthful energy.

“You see the integration in the professional game,” said P-Bruins coach Jay Leach, who also coached in the Penguins’ organization. “Pittsburgh’s done a nice job of bringing in the youth, and at the same time the veterans have been able to accept that youth. It’s the way the game is going and it’s important. The blend of being a veteran and some youthful exuberance and compete should lend the organization well in the future.”

That future could be now.

Boston’s prospects are developing, some quicker than others, but the landscape now is different than it was a few seasons ago when most doubted the Bruins’ organizational depth. Even if these young players don’t realize the opportunity, management and coaching staffs are driving that message home.

“We tell them quite a bit about energy and compete – we tell them every day – and if you’re willing to do that you’re going to have a shot.”

When the organization won its first Stanley Cup title in 39 years in 2011, the team had personality. A player like Brad Marchand, his ability, and chirpiness made an impact. The veterans accepted his personality because it helped the team win.

Duplicating Marchand is near impossible, but having talented young players, along with a genuine love of the game can do wonders for a veteran core.

“It’s great. It’s a good thing to have,” said Bruins alternate captain Patrice Bergeron. “The youth movement coming our way is something you always wish for and want, especially now with the cap situation and the direction of the league. It’s a fast game, fast-paced, and the addition of young legs is beneficial for any team, so having the talent and the skills adding to the mix is definitely great.”

Most of these players have reached this point of their young careers based on skill. Their pro development is only beginning, so if the Bruins can get them to think and act respectively both on and off the ice, it will only impact the parent team in a positive manner.

“It’s important. The players you draft and develop are the lifeblood of the franchise, any franchise,” said team president Cam Neely. “The game is getting younger and you want these players to understand what it takes to be a professional, but you also want them to be good people.

“It’s about building off what we believe, our core values that we’ve established here and some of the veteran players have already established. What’s great about having these rookie tournaments, and camps, and rookie development is they get a better understanding of what our expectations are. We get a better understanding of their personalities and you hope they learn from it.”

That foundation begins now.

Actually, many of these young prospects have the personality. The worst thing any organization in any sport should do is stifle that character. Allow these players to be who they are on and off the ice and most of the time it will have a positive impact on the team.

Sure, there are exceptions because not every pro athlete can handle stardom, wealth, and fame, especially in a popular sports market like Boston.

Bruins fans are going to appreciate a player like DeBrusk. He has the perfect hockey personality. He’s energetic and passionate about the game and fans will feed off that mentality. He’s also smart enough to realize the opportunity that awaits in Boston, not only for him but the other prospects too.

“It’s a copycat league and look at Pittsburgh. They have guys that I played against in the AHL last year that went up and made big contributions,” DeBrusk said. “We had lots of guys called up last year and they’ve said the veterans are really good guys. They’re really welcoming and we can bring some energy, some excitement.

“It’s a mix between the veterans welcoming us into it and also for us to be ourselves. We’re not trying to force anything, just be yourself, excited and really happy to be around the rink.”

It wasn’t too long ago the Bruins’ depth was in question. It’s beginning to change and has the potential to make a serious impact.