Bruins Training Camp Forward Lines: Day 1
Bruins take to the ice today
The Boston Bruins opened up their training camp this morning. The biggest story line coming into camp regarding the lineup was who would be the Bruins top two centers with Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci retiring.
The Bruins split up into two groups to get everyone reps. Here is the breakdown:
Group A:
Marchand- Coyle-Lysell
Heinen-Merkulov-DeBrusk
Richard-Geekie-Frederic
Harrison-Megna-Steen
Group B:
Boqvist-Poitras-Pastrnak
Van Reimsdyk-Zacha-McLaughlin
Lucic-Beecher-Lauko
Greer-Brown-Chiasson
The defense and goalies was a mix and match as expected. The forward lines today gave some insight on how the Bruins are looking to lineup opening night.
Charlie Coyle looks locked in as the first line center after he played mostly on the third line last season. Pavel Zacha is expected to be the second center. While both had good season last year, the lack of depth at center for Boston is definitely the largest concern entering the season.
Fabian Lysell getting a look on the top line is notable. Lysell was drafted 21st overall in the 2021 draft and is one of the Bruins top forward prospect. He has taken time to develop and scored 46 points in 54 AHL games last season. The thought here is to surround the 20-year-old with top line talent to get the best out of him, much like the Bruins did with Jake DeBrusk in the past.
John Beecher is the other Bruins prospect that has a real chance of making the roster. Beecher was skating with Milan Lucic and Jakub Lauko, who are currently in line to be the Bruins fourth line wingers.
This preview of a possible fourth line also adds a lefty faceoff option as Ty Anderson of 98.5 the Sports Hub noted. Beecher was drafted 30th overall in 2019 and had 38 points in 61 games in his first AHL season with the Providence Bruins last season The 22-year-old is 6-foot-3 and listed at 210 pounds.
The two names to watch that are on professional tryouts is Alex Chiasson and Danton Heinen.
Chiasson could find a role as the fourth line right winger or the extra forward each night. Chiasson brings a physical veteran presence that won the Stanley Cup with the Washington Capitals back in the 2017-18 season. He also has played in 37 playoff games in his career.
Heinen was with the Bruins from 2016-2020. He went on to play with the Anaheim Ducks and the Pittsburgh Penguins. His best season was in 2017 when he amassed 47 points in 77 games with averaging 15 minutes of ice time, including the power play.
Heinen could have an uphill battle making the team as the Bruins have strong depth on the left side with adding Milan Lucic, James Van Reimsdyk, and Jesper Boqvist in the offseason.
Lastly, one of the defined roster position that got cleared up yesterday was Trent Frederic. Frederic shoots left, but has the ability to play on right wing as demonstrated with the lines this morning. He also, has the ability to play center, but head coach Jim Montgomery said yesterday he expects Frederic to stick more on the wing this upcoming season.
The Bruins play their first preseason game this Sunday, the 25th, against the New York Rangers. Boston plays six preseason games before opening up the season on October 11th at home against the Chicago Blackhawks.
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