The Bruins’ preseason closes tomorrow at TD Garden.
Is one game enough to put things together and solve the puzzle that is the team’s lineup for Wednesday’s season opener in Washington?
“Or too many, maybe, after watching tonight’s, right?” Bruce Cassidy said after Wednesday’s overtime loss to the Detroit Red Wings, making a nod to some sloppy play. “There’s still guys here competing for spots, but by the same token again we’re hoping to be closer to our lineup down the middle.”
Some questions were answered today, although Cassidy does not expect Patrice Bergeron to play tomorrow against Philadelphia. The B’s alternate captain did take the ice with the full group ― wearing a red, non-contact jersey ― for Friday’s practice at Warrior Ice Arena with the full intention of being ready for the first game that counts next week.
“I was good to be back with the rest of the group,” said Bergeron. “First one in a while, so it felt good. We'll see (about tomorrow’s game), but this was the first full practice that I got, so it's probably unlikely that I'll be playing. I’ll have a few more practices and be ready, obviously, for the opener.”
Trent Frederic and Boston University product Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson ― the latter was assigned to AHL Providence along with Ryan Fitzgerald, Jordan Szwarz, and Jakub Zboril following practice ― centered lines in the game the other night, but it looks like returner Sean Kuraly now has the inside track for the third-line slot.
Ryan Donato
David Backes
Noel Acciari
Joakim Nordstrom
Torey Krug
Forsbacka Karlsson joined
Lee Stempniak
,
Daniel Winnik
,
,
Jakub Lauko
,
, and goaltender
Zane McIntyre
in a skate before the rest of the team to help balance numbers before the full team took the ice.
“We didn't want to have six lines out there,” Cassidy said.
Matt Grzelcyk
In terms of other transactions, McIntyre was placed on waivers for the purpose of being assigned to the AHL, while Lauko was signed to a three-year, entry-level deal with the club and will be assigned to Rouyn-Noranda of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
Thus, this morning's lines were:
Marchand - Bergeron - Pastrnak
DeBrusk - Krejci - Heinen
Donato - Kuraly - Backes
Nordstrom - Wagner - Acciari
Cehlarik - Frederic - Bjork
Chara - McAvoy
Krug - Carlo
Moore - Miller
Vaakanainen - Kampfer
Rask
Halak
As is typical with young players, Frederic and Forsbacka Karlsson have had ups-and-downs
throughout their preseason stints, but they’ve played a lot of hockey. There is no substitute for this experience and exposure to the competition at the NHL level, and it will surely help regardless of where the season begins.
Cassidy said it’s likely Frederic would be slotted on the top line with
Brad Marchand
tomorrow if Bergeron doesn’t play, allowing the rest of the lines to remain as they were formed.
“I would say that would be the most likely scenario,” Cassidy said. “There are a couple other moving parts in there. Anders Bjork is one of them, determining where he's at. Not that he's a center, but then who comes out? We put Backs in there just out of necessity and we'll look at that, but I think Frederic is a good option going forward.”
The other night's game, though, was a dream come true for Frederic. The St. Louis native, who attended the University of Wisconsin for two seasons, grew up as a Blues fan. Backes was his favorite player.
“It’s obviously really cool,” Frederic said. “He’s everything I thought he would be. He’s been awesome to me, a pretty good mentor. I always go to him for questions, so he’s great about it and he’s a great hockey mind and a great hockey player, so it’s been pretty good.”
David Krejci
