Bruins roster nearly set as Tuesday's deadline looms

The Bruins had just concluded an hour-long practice on Monday at Warrior Ice Arena when Bruce Cassidy called veteran centerman David Krejci over for a chat. The two stood in the neutral zone as all the younger players zipped around them.

Soon after the players exited the ice, Cassidy could be heard yelling down the locker room hallway: “Where’s DeBrusk?”

The coach prepared a video presentation of X's and O's for rookie Jake DeBrusk to explain exactly what the team needs from him this season if he earns a roster spot in time for the season-opener against the Nashville Predators on Thursday at TD Garden.



It’s a strong possibility DeBrusk will make the team and start on a line with Krejci and David Pastrnak. The rookie has played with the two Davids for the majority of training camp and the trio continues to develop chemistry. Cassidy’s conversation with both players on Monday was a way to help the process.

DeBrusk wasn’t singled out.

There have never been this many open roster spots for the Bruins in a long time. Opening-day rosters must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Tuesday and a few questions remain for the Bruins.

“It’s a great opportunity for them,” Krejci said. “It’s a healthy competition as well. Prepare and do your best because it’s a good opportunity for them.”

Many of the remaining players, and the ones already sent to Providence, have similar skill sets, so it depends on character, work ethic and experience. The entire group could be described as the “Bubble Boys.”

DeBrusk and fellow rookie Anders Bjork have been penciled into the top six. Bjork has been playing with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand, so that will be a line to start the season. On Monday, the Bruins made a few transactions, sending Tommy Cross, Jordan Szwarz, Jakub Zboril, Peter Cehlarik, Danton Heinen and Jakob Forsbacka-Karlsson to Providence.

Also, Teddy Purcell was released from his PTO. Goalie Malcolm Subban was placed on waivers in hopes he’ll clear by noon on Tuesday and report to Providence.

That means forwards Frank Vatrano, Sean Kuraly, along with defensemen Rob O’Gara, Matt Grzelcyk and veteran Paul Postma remain in the mix. Since Torey Krug remains sidelined with a broken jaw, two of those three blueliners will stay in Boston for now.

“We feel the younger guys have played well, so these are difficult decisions,” Cassidy said. “Who are you going to keep? Who do you project to be ready? Some you’ve had a longer look at because they’ve been down in Providence, and then you hope you’ve made the right calls come Thursday if they’re in the lineup.”

Cassidy understands there will be nerves, but it’s time for these boys to man up because this is the NHL.

“You want them confident, because young kids, if they’re not confident they’re really going to struggle more than maybe a veteran who knows the ropes,” said Cassidy, who added younger players can get in their own way if they’re not confident.

The coach will have plenty of conversations with these younger players and the discussion usually goes something like this:

“Be confident. Understand what you’re here for and what you need to bring,” explained Cassidy. “This is the National Hockey League and you just can’t say ‘Well, if I don’t have it tonight, I’ll have it next time.’ You need to do your part.

“That’s where you walk the fine line with young guys. Get their attention (snaps fingers), get your point across without them being nervous. They need to be comfortable and not crap their pants.”

DeBrusk wasn’t completely satisfied with his performance during the preseason and he admitted he’s still nervous, even though it appears he’s earned his spot – for now.

“There’s always room for improvement,” DeBrusk said. “It’s just preseason but I think I showed a lot. I think I showed some good qualities I have, and in the four games I played, I think I still have more and I can do better. I expect a lot out of myself and I know I can get to that next level.”

O’Gara, who made the team out of camp last season and played three games before he was sent to Providence, understands the position he’s in this October.

“It’s a little bit of nervous energy but it’s good,” O’Gara said. “We’re trying to keep each other grounded and in the moment, because we can only handle what we’re doing in practice and what we do in the weight room. We’re trying not to worry about what might come next. We have guys that went through it before and I went through it last year, so you help the younger guys and you lean on one another.”

O’Gara and Heinen have been rooming together during training camp and both admitted they’re thinking about the what-ifs almost 24/7.

“Of course,” O’Gara said. “It’s about controlling those thoughts. If you let them control you, you can’t play how you should play. . . It’s exciting. It’s a great opportunity and we’re close. But, it’s about finishing, finishing the job and finishing the work you put in and whatever happens, happens. If it’s here, or Providence, it’s about continuing to progress and if it is Providence then you get back up here as soon as possible.”

Before Heinen learned he had been sent to the AHL on Monday, he admitted this camp has been stressful.

“For a guy like me there are a lot of nerves,” he said. “You just try to block those out and every time you step on the ice, just try to be the best you can be and try not to think about it too much.”

How do you block it out?

“I don’t know,” Heinen said with a smile. “It’s tough.”

Heinen admitted he had a slow start to camp and it was frustrating, especially knowing there were open roster spots. He thought he played better in his last preseason and that gave him a bit of confidence.

Just because training camp is over and the roster is all but set for the season-opener on Thursday, there will be plenty of transactions during 2017-18 because the Bruins have the resources to do so.

“Competition, at all those spots, makes you a healthier organization,” Cassidy said.