NHL Notebook: 10 things I’m watching for during Bruins training camp

It’s finally here.

As the traffic down the Cape mercifully wanes and the days of summer drift away, the collective New England hivemind embraces the inevitable (and anticipated) change within the region.

It’s time to stow away the flip-flops and tank tops — and toss on your sweatshirt and beanie. Dump that Del’s shandy and snag a cider. Finally, take your mind off of the woeful Red Sox — and instead channel your anger towards your familiar friends down at 1 Patriot Place or Causeway Street.

Fall has arrived — and with it, the promise, hope and nervous anticipation that comes with every new NFL, NHL and NBA campaign.

The first steps toward what the Bruins hope will be a memorable run with an aging veteran core will begin on Monday — with the B’s holding captains practices this week at Warrior Ice Arena before opening rookie camp just a few days later.

Before you know it, preseason action will begin (Sept. 24) — followed by the start of the regular season on Oct. 12 down in Washington D.C. 

And even though we have tangible evidence in terms of what to expect from certain lineup configurations entering this preseason — there are still a number of other roster battles, system tweaks and potential contract talks that could be carried out over the three-plus weeks before the games officially begin. 

So, with the frozen sheet at Warrior officially set to be sheared once again on Monday, here are the 10 things that I will be watching for during Boston’s training camp/preseason slate: 

1. Who will carve out starting roles on the fourth line? 

As unpredictable as the game of hockey is, there really shouldn’t be any surprises when it comes to who Jim Montgomery will load up his top-six unit with to open the season — especially with Boston’s bench boss already announcing that Pavel Zacha will begin his B’s career next to Patrice Bergeron.

Further down the lineup, it’s to be expected that Boston will keep a third line of Charlie Coyle, Craig Smith and Trent Frederic intact, giving Frederic a bit more rope to try and prove that he can be more than just a checking-line bruiser.  

But on that fourth line, the Bruins are looking at a complete logjam, with Montgomery given an abundance of options when it comes to carving an identity for that vital grouping of hard-working forwards.

Established NHL vets like Nick Foligno and Tomas Nosek are the early leaders in the clubhouse when it comes to earning starting roles, especially after the B’s opted to not buy out the final year of Foligno’s contract.

But even if the Bruins believe that Foligno still has a bit more left in the tank, those early sentiments could change in a hurry if a hefty crop of younger contributors pop during preseason action — be it Oskar Steen, Marc McLaughlin, Joona Koppanen or even Johnny Beecher. 

With A.J. Greer inking a one-way contract this July, it’s obvious that Boston believes the big-bodied winger can make a push after operating at nearly a point-per-game pace in the AHL last year. And don’t forget about Chris Wagner, who is looking to avoid another assignment back down to Providence.

For years now, the Bruins have preached the value of internal competition when it comes to shoring up vacancies across their lineup. And that trend should continue this fall when it comes to identifying the right pieces on a checking line that has struggled at times to gain traction following the departures of trusted foot soldiers like Noel Acciari and Sean Kuraly. 

2. Can Fabian Lysell make a push for NHL roster out of camp?

Let’s face it - we love new things. It’s the reason why we feel compelled to buy that crappy new version of Madden every year. And it’s how Red Sox fans are finding some solace in the midst of this underwhelming campaign, focusing more on the promising contributions of Brayan Bello and Triston Casas, rather than the overarching product on the diamond.

Bruins fans are no different when it comes to longing for something new — dangled in front of them in the form of the franchise’s top prospect in Fabian Lysell.

After adjusting to the North American game last season in the WHL (including 21 points in 12 playoff games for the Vancouver Giants), the Bruins are looking for their 2021 first-round pick to make the jump to the pros — be it with Providence or even the NHL.

And even though it might be asking a lot for a 19-year-old winger (who currently weighs in at 170 pounds) to earn a spot out of camp up with the big club, the B’s aren’t putting a cap on Lysell’s potential — with Montgomery even noting that Lysell could earn top-six minutes out of the gate. 

“This gives an opportunity. Like if Marchy's here, he probably doesn't have an opportunity, right,” Montgomery said of Lysell. “If he's gonna play in the NHL, he needs to play in the top six — get an opportunity to play with one of our elite centers and an opportunity to get the puck in places where he can do some damage. So if he has a great camp, he's going to get that opportunity. That's the great thing about the injury to Marchy is it opens up the door. Now he's got a knock through that door and that opportunity comes — you earn your way into the NHL.”

As we’ve noted throughout this offseason, we’re operating with a more measured take when it comes to Lysell and his chances of breaking camp with Boston. Unless Lysell just completely stuffs the stat sheet during preseason play (while also remaining defensively responsible), there’s nothing wrong with giving him some consistent top-six reps in the AHL — providing time to acclimate while also keeping the door open for Lysell to earn a call-up later in the season.

In general, it’s better to be cautiously optimistic when it comes to blue-chip prospects, rather than shoulder young players with unreasonable expectations. But it seems like Boston is going to give Lysell every opportunity to make a case for NHL minutes — and the Swede has the skill to make the most of this chance. 

3. Can Bruins get David Pastrnak to sign on the dotted line? 

Training camp and preseason action might be headlined by lineup shuffles and roster battles, but the Bruins have also had a pretty extensive track record when it comes securing foundational pieces of their roster during the fall — be it David Pastrnak inking a six-year deal in September 2017 or Charlie McAvoy’s mega-deal last year.

Don Sweeney and the B’s front-office staff will be looking to continue that trend in the coming weeks, with the clock ticking when it comes to signing Pastrnak to a new extension ahead of a lucrative free-agency sweepstakes in 2023.

Even though Sweeney has said that the Bruins aren’t fretting if they can’t get Pastrnak to cross the t’s and dot the i's before regular-season play commences — it’ll make for a looming, distracting narrative if Pastrnak isn’t signed in short order, especially if Boston treads water in the early going due to injuries.

(Please, I don’t want to be crafting a pros/cons piece on moving Pastrnak in early December — it’s not worth it.)

Even though the last month or so seems to be dominated by radio silence when it comes to contract talks between both parties, we’ll see if these discussions ramp up once Pastrnak is back on the ice and is able to start bridging the gap with management on a regular basis.

Keeping Pastrnak in the fold not only eliminates a distraction this season (while keeping your 40+ goal scorer very happy), it’s an essential step if Sweeney and Co. want to maintain a winning core during the post-Bergeron era. 

 4. How will Jim Montgomery tweak systems? 

David Krejci’s return to the top-six unit is obviously a massive coup, but the most impactful acquisition for the Bruins might be their new head coach in Montgomery — especially when it comes to the new systems he’s slated to implement. 

While Bruce Cassidy’s track record does speak for itself, you can still hold the former B’s coach in high regard, while also accepting that a new voice and a new approach offensively might be able to squeeze more out of this established group. 

In some ways, the Bruins are trying to follow a similar path as the Celtics, with an esteemed coach in Brad Stevens exiting (well, more stepping aside, I suppose) and a new presence in Ime Udoka giving that roster the jolt it needed.

Even though Montgomery has noted that the Bruins will continue to utilize their rigid, layered zone defense that they deployed under Cassidy and Claude Julien — his emphasis on puck possession, “hard mistakes” and a willingness to let defensemen operate with more freedom in the O-zone could be necessary steps in order to tap more tangible offense out of this group. 

5. How will players coming off of injuries fare? 

Barring some miraculous medical advancement, it’s safe to assume that the Bruins aren’t expecting Brad Marchand (hip), McAvoy (shoulder) and Matt Grzelcyk (shoulder) back in the lineup until late October at the earliest (and both McAvoy/Marchand could be a few weeks after Grzelcyk). 

But even though that trio takes most of the headlines when it comes to Boston’s extensive list of offseason procedures, there are a few other lineup regulars who will be looking to shake off some rust after going under the knife this summer.

With Boston rolling out a patchwork defense to open the season, Montgomery and Co. will be hoping that blueliners like Mike Reilly (right ankle tendon repair and removal of bone fragments) and Jakub Zboril (ACL) can either bounce back from disappointing 2021-22 campaigns or — in Zboril’s case — take another step forward after a very promising 10-game sample last year. 

While Reilly could eventually be an odd man out on Boston’s depth chart once McAvoy and Grzelcyk return, Zboril could finally secure a starting spot if he can either maintain (or even exceed) the level of play he put forth last season, especially if he moves over to the right side and pushes for minutes with Connor Clifton. 

And even though his track record speaks for itself when it comes to trudging through a slew of injuries, Bergeron is also coming off of some offseason work on his elbow, although he doesn’t expect any restrictions out of the gate — a viewpoint validated by the sight of him already on the ice at Warrior.  

6. Who will fill out depth chart on defense? 

Given the absence of both McAvoy and Grzelcyk, the B’s blue line is going to be a shorthanded unit to open the year, with the most likely configuration of the six-man unit featuring Hampus Lindholm, Brandon Carlo, Reilly, Zboril, Derek Forbort and Clifton. 

But as we’ve seen in past years where depth D-men like Steven Kampfer and even Clifton have stepped into featured roles over the course of a bruising NHL season, the Bruins will also need to sort through who will stand as the next men up on this current D corps.

Montgomery and his staff will have no limit of options to sort through, be it a younger player trying to stick like Jack Ahcan, a journeyman signee like Connor Carrick (who could push Zboril/Clifton on the right side) or a European import like Kai Wissmann.  

Expect those three to all earn major reps this preseason as they try to avoid an assignment down to Providence. 

7. Is this the last chance for Jack Studnicka to stick in Boston? 

Barring a breakthrough preseason from Lysell, it seems as though the best avenue for young talent to etch their name into Boston’s depth chart will come in the bottom-six unit — be it that aforementioned fourth-line log jam or Frederic on Coyle’s line. 

But with the top-six seemingly set, where exactly does that leave an unproven talent like Jack Studnicka? 

This seems to be a decisive camp for Studnicka, given his age (23), inability to stick up in the NHL so far (7 points in 37 games) and the fact that he is no longer exempt from waivers if he gets sent down to Providence. 

Still, while some of the onus does fall on Studnicka for not seizing some of the opportunities that fell his way in previous seasons, the irony of the situation is that last season was the real window where Studnicka SHOULD have earned a chance to land a starting role — only to have that opportunity snuffed out when Boston went out and signed veterans like Erik Haula, Foligno and Nosek.

Now, with the B’s set down the middle with Bergeron-Krejci-Coyle, it remains to be seen where exactly a guy like Studnicka can stick with this team. Perhaps he can augment his game and put himself in the running for a spot on the wing further down the lineup. But Studnicka is going to need a monster preseason to change some of the sentiment that his development in Boston has all but stalled. 

8. How will Pavel Zacha fare in top-six role?

The Bruins wouldn’t have dealt a proven middle-six stalwart like Haula if they didn’t think that a younger talent like Zacha had more to give up at the NHL level, with his new club hoping that a change of scenery will allow the former sixth overall pick (2015) to fully realize his potential as an effective, two-way weapon with 20+ goal potential.

And with Marchand on the mend through at least November, it seems as though the B’s aren’t going to waste any time when it comes to gauging Zacha’s mettle as a top-six regular — with Montgomery noting last month that the Czech forward is expected to open camp on the top line with Bergeron and Jake DeBrusk. 

“Bringing in a really good player in Pavel Zacha — introducing him to the Bruins way,” Montgomery said. I think an opportunity to start camp with Patrice Bergeron and learning how to compete and how to play the right way — I mean, he does it already. I mean, that's why we went got him, right? He's a talented hockey player that's produced at the NHL level. Now here's an opportunity to play with one of the best players in the league. So learn the Bruin way.”

Even though Zacha carries a bit of a label as a draft disappointment given his status as a top-10 pick, he should already bring value to this team thanks to his versatility, defensive ability and transition game. But if he can take another step in the offensive zone and utilize that underrated, heavy shot of his a bit more, the B’s could have something here with the 25-year-old skater. 

If Zacha can hit the ice running in September in a top-six spot, it stands to benefit all parties — allowing Boston to temporarily tread water while Marchand is on the mend, and give Zacha some confidence before eventually getting pushed down to Coyle’s line, most likely. 

9. Does David Krejci still have it?

Unlike other players who rely on speed or a howitzer of a shot to maintain their elite level of play, Krejci has the skillset that shouldn’t necessarily erode sharply over time. Of course, that’s not to say that the 36-year-old pivot is going to be racking up 60+ points in his 40s, but the veteran isn’t doubting his ability to be a legitimate top-six force in 2022-23. 

“I feel like I have a lot to offer still,” Krejci said in his last meeting with the media. “I know people talk about my age, but it's just a number. I feel I'm in good shape. And yeah, obviously, I'm coming back to try to go all the way. But I've been in the league a long time, so I know what it takes to make the playoffs and go all the way.”

Of course, after a year spent beating up on lesser competition in his native Czechia, it’s only natural to wonder if Krejci will need some time to re-adjust to play back over in North America. But be it his knack for slowing down the pace of play, on-ice vision or passing ability, Krejci should still have all of the tools at his disposal to dissect opposing defenses, especially with two high-powered weapons in Pastrnak and Taylor Hall flanking him on the second line. 

A quick start in a preseason slate for this second line should help quiet any talk about Krejci’s capability of driving a forward unit back in the NHL ranks. 

10. Can Jake DeBrusk build off of last year? 

After an … interesting 2021-22 season, DeBrusk should be a very happy camper entering his sixth season in a B’s sweater. With a new bench boss in place and top-six minutes all but secured next to Bergeron, DeBrusk seems to be content in Boston — having rescinded his long-standing trade request this summer. 

And regardless of your stance on the whole trade saga and/or DeBrusk’s relationship with Cassidy, there’s no doubting that an engaged and effective DeBrusk can only help this team — with the 25-year-old winger standing as a much-needed offensive conduit at even-strength play. 

And after scoring 10 goals and posting 16 total points over the final 20 games of the 2021-22 season, the Bruins are hoping that DeBrusk’s scoring surge can carry over into the new year, especially if he remains attached to the hip with Bergeron (and eventually Marchand) on the top line. 

DeBrusk has been marred with extended stretches of up-and-down play during his time in Boston, especially when it comes to his offensive totals. Perhaps this is the year the winger finally puts it all together and crosses the 30-goal threshold — it’s a scoring mark that DeBrusk has the talent to finally seize, and the B’s will gladly welcome it.