Can Jakub Zboril capitalize on his 1st call-up to the NHL?

We’ve all heard the spiel before.

Yes, by drafting Jakub Zboril, Jake DeBrusk and Zach Senyshyn with picks 13-15 in the 2015 NHL Draft, the Black and Gold missed on the chance to snag the reigning Calder Trophy winner in Mathew Barzal — who was snagged one pick later by the Islanders.

And while DeBrusk has panned out at the NHL level and has the potential to be a top-six regular for years to come — it’s becoming clear that the B’s missed out on more than just Barzal by selecting Zboril and Senyshyn.

A few of the names available for Boston past pick No. 15? A 30-goal scorer in Kyle Connor (Winnipeg, No. 17), an emerging top-pairing D in Thomas Chabot (Ottawa, No. 18) and a promising sniper on the wing in Brock Boeser (Vancouver, No. 23).

But even if we were to ignore the Class of 2015 players already finding tangible success at the NHL, Zboril and Senyshyn still have found themselves in rare, and unfortunate, company in their draft class.



Of the 30 players drafted in the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft, only three have yet to log one game in the NHL — Zboril, Senyshyn and goalie Ilya Samsonov (Washington).

This weekend will give Zboril his first chance to separate himself from that dwindling pack — as the Czech defenseman earned his first call-up to the Bruins Tuesday morning ahead of the team’s four-game trip out West.

“When I got a call yesterday, I just started sweating right away,” Zboril said following practice at Warrior Ice Arena. “I was like, ‘Oh wow.’ I got so nervous, I felt it in my belly. Right now, after practice, I feel pretty confident and excited for it.”

A left-shot, puck-moving blue liner that has played the last two seasons down in the AHL, Zboril will largely serve — at least for the time being — as Boston’s seventh defenseman on the road trip, especially with Brandon Carlo ruled out for Wednesday’s matchup against the Avalanche due to an upper-body injury.

While he won’t crack the lineup tomorrow, there is a chance the B’s might rotate him into the D corps during the team’s back-to-back slate against Dallas and Arizona on Friday and Saturday.

“He moves the puck well,” Bruce Cassidy said of Zboril. “He’s like a lot of young guys. He’s had good games and games where he needs to be better. We brought him up because Carlo will miss at least Wednesday. So on the trip, we want to make sure we’re covered in case of sickness or injury and the rest of the guys can't go on the weekend. We’ll probably stick with the same six that played Sunday against Vegas … Maybe he’ll get in on the weekend.”

After three seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, it’s been a bit of an uphill battle for Zboril as he attempts to clear the last hurdle on the way to the NHL.

Adjusting to the quicker pace and stronger opposition in the AHL clearly put Zboril on his heels during the 2017-18 campaign — with the playmaking defenseman limited to four goals and 19 points 68 games.

His sophomore run through with the Baby B’s didn’t fare much better — as Zboril found himself on the pine for a game due to a slow start. At the time of his call-up, Zboril had two goals and four points through 13 games with Providence.

Since his benching, however, Zboril noted that he feels as though he’s turned a corner on the ice.

“My game feels pretty good,” Zboril said. “Didn’t start off really well at the beginning of the season. Wasn’t really happy - coaches weren’t happy. They sat me for a game and I cleared my head. Started playing a little different in the game — bit more pace and more urgency in my game.”

So what exactly can be expected of Zboril, aside from being insurance on the blue line?

For a green defenseman, it’s what you’d expect from a player not looking to do too much in his first potential NHL game.

“Being hard in the defensive zone, being strong in front of the net, close quickly and some opportunities in the O zone will come,” Zboril said. “Just play from the defensive side of the ice and it will come.”

So how viable is it that Zboril can make his presence felt with the Black and Gold? Perhaps the more prudent question is what exactly do the Bruins think they have in the player they took 13th overall over three years ago?

It’s not a good look when first rounders drafted in following years like Charlie McAvoy and Urho Vaakanainen managed to leapfrog Zboril in the prospect pipeline, while another defenseman taken 39 picks after Zboril in Jeremy Lauzon also managed to get the call from the B’s top brass earlier this season when Boston was in need of a left-shot D from Providence.

At this point though, it doesn’t do the Bruins any good to dwell on “could have, should have” narratives when it comes to draft picks. Still just 21, Zboril still has plenty of time to grow into his game, and it seems as though the B’s are willing to wait.

"I think where they’re drafted, they’re potential top-four guys,” Bruins director of player development Jamie Langenbrunner said of Zboril and Lauzon back during development camp. “That’s where they are projected to be. When they’ll get there, nobody knows. We’re not in a rush. Sometimes everyone wants them to be there right away. We’re not too worried about that. We’re worried about just building them along and they’ll get there when it’s their time.”