NHL Notebook: Farinacci eager to 'just get in the door' with the Bruins

If, and more likely when, John Farinacci makes his NHL debut, chances are Bruins fans will already be pretty familiar with his style of play.

A poised pivot, the former Harvard captain prides himself in his all-around abilities on the ice and leadership away from it. With creativity and a quality shot, the 22-year-old put up five goals and 15 assists for 20 games in his senior season with the Crimson after a herniated disk precluded him from the first half of the season. 

"I see myself as a 200-foot centerman, and I think I could play on both ends of the ice," Farinacci said via Zoom on Thursday after signing a two-year entry-level deal with an NHL cap hit of $910,000. "You know, good on face-offs. I think I can kind of play any role that I need to. I kind of pride myself on being somebody that can do that. I think my hockey sense intangible-wise is probably my biggest strength."

The local rooters will also be happy to learn who the Dexter Southfield product tries to mirror on the ice.

"I think a guy that I try to – obviously not comparing myself at all – but a guy I watched a ton and really tried to emulate myself after was Patrice Bergeron," said Farinacci, like plenty of other centers rising through the ranks of professional hockey. "I think the way that he played the game is and was amazing. And, you know, that's the guy that I try to play like as much as I can."

The right-hander became one of the coveted college free agents on the market after his rights with the Arizona Coyotes expired Tuesday at 5 p.m. The 76th overall pick to the Yotes in 2019, Farinacci opted to not sign with the club after a career in Cambridge that saw him put up 61 points (25g, 36a) in 79 NCAA games. 

"With the Coyotes, [signing] was something back in March that obviously was discussed a lot once the season ended," he said. "You know, for whatever reason, that didn't work out. Nothing but good things to say about them and the organization, but unfortunately, it just didn't work out with them."

The Bruins were happy to oblige Arizona, swooping in and adding another talented center to a prospect pool and organization in desperate need of help down the middle following Bergeron and David Krejci's retirements. Between Farinacci's local connections at Dexter (Brookline) and Harvard, on top of some family ties to the B's in Ryan and Ted Donato, Boston was an attractive option as free agency approached and talks with the Black and Gold brass commenced. Other teams were eager to raise their hands for his services, but for Farinacci, "it was nothing that could compare to you know, the feeling of being a part of the Bruins.

"I loved everything they had to offer and obviously knew a little bit about them beforehand, just from my own research and whatnot," he added. "So, for me, it was a pretty easy decision."

Still, Farinacci's path to his first professional contract hasn't been a smooth ride the whole way through, between a significant injury derailing the start of his final season at the collegiate level and missing out on nearly the entire 2020-21 season after Harvard (and the rest of the Ivy's) opted not to play due to COVID. 

Taking any chance he could get to hit the ice, he returned to his USHL club, the Muskegon Lumberjacks, for a seven-game sample that saw him put up eight points (4g, 4a). In seven games at the World Juniors that season, he put up seven points (5g, 2a) with the United States while serving in a largely third-line capacity. He finished the tournament tied for fourth in goals with  Tim Stützle (Ottawa/Germany), the third overall pick in 2020. 

Nevertheless, Farinacci feels he's better off because of the ups and downs.

"I think that COVID year was obviously a little iffy for everybody," he said. "For me, I just tried to make the most of it, you know, playing some games in the USHL with Muskegon and then obviously had the World Junior stint there for about a month. So that year, kind of tried to just make the most of it. And then this past year, obviously, it was a little bit difficult going through my first kind of injury that kept me out for a little bit of time. Coming back was a bit of an adjustment, but I think it's just the lessons I learned from that are gonna help me along the way here."

Now with a fresh opportunity afoot, Farinacci is eager to make a strong first impression when training camp and preseason games roll around. He'll be happy to see a familiar face in former Harvard teammate and recent Bruins trade acquisition Reilly Walsh.

Whether he begins the season in Providence or Boston, the B's will be on top of the Red Bank, N.J., native's development as he's quickly one of the better center prospects within the system. 

"Mostly it was kind of just about my game, how they evaluated my game and sort of what how they see me fitting into their development plans here over the next little bit," Farinacci said of his conversations with the Bruins in the lead-up to his signing. "So, I wouldn't say there's anything too specific, but I think in the grand scheme of things, just kind of getting in the door and kind of getting started in such a great organization like Boston. I think will do will do wonders for my development."

Toews stepping away, but not retiring

Chicago Blackhawks legend Jonathan Toews will be taking a step back from the game for the foreseeable future as he sorts out health issues from long-COVID that currently have his career on hold. 

"I’d like to announce that I am not fully retiring, but I am taking time away from the game again this season," the 35-year-old announced via Instagram. "I cannot deny my love for the game of hockey and still feel the passion for competing at my highest level."

Here is the rest of the statement:

"However, these last few seasons have been very difficult considering my health challenges. My focus is to give myself the time and space to fully heal and enjoy life to the fullest once again. Along the way I have met several people who have struggled with health issues pertaining to long COVID, chronic immune response syndrome, and other similar cases that are quite complex. I now recognize the importance of one day sharing the details of my health journey with you all.

"Thank you to all of you who have supported me and respected my privacy in the process."

Toews' health situation limited him to 15 goals and 31 points in 53 games last season, his final run in Chicago after general manager Kyle Davidson said he would not be re-signed at the conclusion of his eight-year, $84 million deal, making the now former Hawks captain an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career. 

The three-time Stanley Cup Champ put up 60 points (18 goals) in 70 games during the COVID-shortened 2019-20 season before sitting out the entire 2020-21 season due to a chronic immune issue, later found to be a cause of an undiagnosed bout with COVID and in turn, some long-term effects. Since the season-long absence, the former Selke winner hasn't been the same player he once was, between his limited action in 2022-23 as well as a 37-point run in 71 contests in 2021-22. 

To be honest, I'm a little surprised to see Toews not retiring outright. Although, who am I to speak for him? Credit to No. 19 for trying to push through, although from all accounts, these health issues have really taken a toll on him. Here's to a healthy return in 2024-25 or whenever that may be. I'm sure a lot of teams would be happy to have him as a fine role player.

Other notable NCAA free agents after the Aug. 15 deadline

With the Tuesday deadline in the rearview, a slew of now former collegiate players came off the reserve lists of the teams that drafted them after not signing entry-level contracts, including Dustyn McFaul, who Boston selected in the sixth round in 2018. 

The 6-2, 185-pound left-shot defenseman played four years at Clarkson, totaling 25 points (3g, 22a) in 114 NCAA games. It's not entirely surprising that he and the Bruins didn't come to terms. The B's have plenty of depth on the left side.

This season's market is pretty forward-heavy. After the Bruins were quiet in the initial rush of college free agent signing this past spring, they wound up landing one of the bigger fish in Farinacci, and there's always the potential for more. Although, perhaps there could be worry about overstocking the system in Providence. 

Former Penn State winger Kevin Wall was an attractive option before landing an AHL deal with Milwaukee, Nashville's affiliate. The same goes for Quinnipiac's Skylar Brind'Amour as well as Ohio State's (by way of Boston U.) Jake Wise before they landed AHL contracts with Charlotte, Florida's affiliate. 

Nevertheless, here are two of the best remaining options:

Robert Mastrosimone (Arizona State), C/LW – Fun player to watch and a former third-rounder to Detroit in 2019. Exploded for 42 points (11g, 31a) when he transferred to ASU for his senior year after three just solid years at BU. A tenacious and fearless player who doesn't let his smaller frame keep him from the corners or playing with an edge on the forecheck. Quick release, non-stop motor and has decent enough hands. Still has a year of eligibility at the collegiate level. 

Jay O'Brien (Boston University), C – Hingham kid whose collegiate career got off to a rocky start at Providence College, but after a rebound year in the BCHL, he turned into a vital contributor at BU. A former Flyers' first-round pick, Philadelphia will receive a compensatory second in 2024 after he didn't sign. Put up 70 points (26g, 44a) in 79 games with the Terriers, including 32 points (9g, 24a) as an assistant captain his senior year. Good skater, but has some frustrating inconsistencies putting the puck in the back of the net. Worth a look somewhere, whether on an AHL deal or ELC.

Remembering a legend in Buffalo

Longtime Buffalo Sabres play-by-play man and Hockey Hall of Famer Rick Jeanneret died Thursday. He was 81.

In a statement through the team, Jeanneret's family said he had been dealing with multi-organ failure for two years, beginning in 2021, his final season calling games for the Sabres. He had done games for Buffalo either on radio or television from the team's second season through his retirement, the longest play-by-play career in NHL history. 

Given my age and having grown up around Boston, I don't have a ton of memories of Jeanneret, but I have seen more than my fair share of "May Day! May Day! May Day!" highlights. 

There are plenty more memorable and historic calls that will live on forever, too. There are of course, his signatures, from "La-la-la-Fontaine" for Pat LaFontaine, to "roll the highlight film," "top shelf, where Mama hides the cookies" or "ooooooooovertime," which followed more than its fair share of game-winners. I've certainly seen plenty of them in highlight packages and such. There's also his "Now do you believe?" from that 2006 Sabres' run. 

The love and appreciation that the city of Buffalo, the Sabres fans and the organization showed him during his final season in 2021 was hard to miss, and it quite an impression when you step back to consider how engrained he is in the franchise's history. He'll be missed.