With the O.R.G. China Games now in the rearview, the Bruins will come together as one team for the final four games of their preseason slate starting this weekend.
Youth has been served in large doses in Black and Gold of late, but former University of New Hampshire forward Daniel Winnik saw the B’s unique split-squad training camp as an opportunity to make something out of his professional tryout agreement and earn a National Hockey League job for the season.
“Quite frankly, it's not different than any other camp I've been in,” said Winnik. “Last year I was on a PTO (with Minnesota), so it's similar to that. But I feel like I've had to establish myself on the roster no matter how firm I might be set by a contract. There are always young guys trying to take my position.”
That’s especially the right attitude in Boston as rookies were a major part of the club that advanced to the second round of the postseason, but Winnik spent last season showing he can still be a valuable asset. He scored eight goals and 23 points ― reaching the latter mark for the second consecutive season ― in 81 games with the Wild after appearing in 72 for Washington the year prior.
Should Winnik crack the lineup in Washington, D.C., in two Wednesdays, the Bruins would become his 10th NHL club since entering the league with Phoenix in 2007-08. He also enters the year two games shy of the 800 mark for his career.
“I think it's just the way the league is going that PTO's are becoming more and more popular,” Winnik said. “I don't know how many guys are on them this year, but in years past there have been tons of guys in camps in camps on PTO's. For well-established, veteran players and older guys like myself, your third or fourth-line guy, it's hard to get jobs these days.”
Winnik is looking to grab a spot on one of the B’s in-flux bottom lines along with the likes of Noel Acciari, Sean Kuraly, and several others. Assistant coach Joe Sacco has been impressed with his game in numerous aspects, especially considering he’s a natural winger trying out the center position during camp.
“He's done a good job on the penalty kill, defensively as far as trying to sort his assignment,” Sacco said of Winnik, who has played in each of the first two U.S. preseason games and registered one assist. “Some things that aren't natural for a winger going to center ― now that you've got to play 200 feet of the ice, you've got responsibilities down low that you're not quite accustomed to. For all the different things being thrown at him, I think he's responded well.”
After spending three college seasons (2003-06) an hour or so north at UNH and getting a good view at the Bruins from the other bench over his veteran pro career, he has a good idea of what to expect from the club for which he’s now giving it his best shot to play.
“I've always thought the Bruins have been a tough team to play throughout my whole career,” Winnik said. “I think they've really changed the dynamic of the group over the last two years, and it's really showing on the ice.”
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