Max Jones was an intriguing signing for the Bruins over the summer – a big, energetic winger and former first round pick that would seem to fit in perfectly with the new hard-to-play-against vibe that the B’s are trying to establish.
On Thursday, we were finally getting a chance to see what he might be able to bring to the mix when he was to make preseason debut against the Los Angeles Kings in Quebec City.
Jones had suffered an undisclosed injury in the Black-and-Gold scrimmage two days into camp. Since then, he’s been trying to do whatever he can to mentally prepare for the switch from the Anaheim Ducks’ system to the Bruins’, especially in the neutral zone.
“My wife definitely helped, that’s for sure, making sure I was watching video and staying on top of systems,” said Jones before traveling to Quebec. “Obviously you’re not going to get the reps you would if you’re still on the ice. I did a lot of video, took a lot of notes, watched some last season games that I was playing in Anaheim and tried to implement my mind with the systems here. I’m not sure if it even helped that much, maybe it did a percentage. I don’t know, but I’m just trying to get my brain wrapped around the system so when I get out there I can just play hockey rather than having to think.”
The 6-foot-3, 216-pound Jones, a left-shot wing, would be an interesting fit – from an ethos standpoint, at least – on a fourth line with Mark Kastelic and Johnny Beecher. While never a big point producer – his 9-10-19 totals two years ago are a career high – his own scouting report on himself makes him sound like he was born to be a Bruin.
“Big, strong, fast, hunt pucks, play like my hair’s on fire a little bit, aggressive,” said the 26-year-old Jones. “I like to take pucks to the net, definitely an agitator, whether I try to be or not. It just kind of happens. I like to play that fast style of game. I like to create opportunities for my linemates as well and obviously myself around the net.”
Jones, taken with the 24th overall pick by Anaheim in 2016, said the B’s have always been on his mind.
“The past six years playing against the Bruins, it definitely felt like a game that, the way they played, it brought out my game,” said Jones. “So when I was playing against them, I played good games against Boston, strictly based on the way they played. Always had Boston kind of on my mind throughout those year. They play a really good, hard style of game, especially when you look at these additions. You’ve got (Nikita) Zadorov. You’ve got Kastelic. Big guys, big bodies an I think it’s kind of fit in real well for the way I play. I’m really excited to be around this group.”…
Fabian Lysell, who was sent down to Providence on Sunday, was brought back up to get in another preseason game on Thursday. The message to him when he was sent down was to focus on the team game and puck management. Even though he was told he’d be brought back up for another game, Lysell admitted he was a bit crestfallen after he felt he improved as training camp went on.
“Of course, you’ve got to think about it,” said Lysell. “When you’re in the moment, it’s always tough to have those types of things happening, but you’ve got to reset and keep battling and that’s what I’m going to try to do.”
While his initial demotion makes it seem like he’s hard-pressed not to start his season in Providence, Lysell was hoping to change some minds. He was set play on a line with Charlie Coyle.
“I’ll try to make it hard for them to make that decision, that’s for sure,” said Lysell…
Neither Brad Marchand nor Matthew Poitras skated on Thursday. Coach Jim Montgomery said that Poitras is day-to-day with an undisclosed injury while Marchand, who the team said left Tuesday’s game with an illness, was being kept off the ice as a precaution…
Amazon dripped some fuel on to the combustible Jeremy Swayman-Bruins drama with the release of some quotes from Swayman featured in its docuseries “FACEOFFF: Inside the NHL.” In comments made during the playoffs last year, he relived his arbitration hearing from the summer of 2023 which left him with bruised feelings.
“My arbitrator started first, said all these great things. The arbitrator on thier side…their job is to help the management side and to rip players. Hearing that you’re not worthy of what you think you’re worthy of, that was hard to hear. You don’t forget what was said,” said Swayman.
How much those feelings are coloring the contentiousness of this negotiation is anyone’s guess. But after he made those comments, Swayman was one of just a few players who golfed in Cam Neely’s golf tournament and also worked out all summer at the team facility in Brighton. The arbitration process clearly stung him. But maybe, just maybe, Swayman is able to compartmentalize the slights better than the quotes indicate. But who knows?