A quick perusal of the roster that the Bruins will be taking with them to the Prospects Challenge in Buffalo on Thursday suggests that there aren’t many players who are threats to make the varsity this fall.
Fabian Lysell and Georgii Merkulov, two of the forwards expected to make legitimate pushes for roster spots once camp opens on September 18, will not be participating in Buffalo. Providence Bruins coach Ryan Mougenel said that the plan was to keep them fresh for when main camp opens next week. Goalie Brandon Bussi will also be staying back.
But that doesn’t mean that a player can’t pop. Last season, Matthew Poitras, Mason Lohrei, John Beecher and, most surprisingly, Justin Brazeau all made impacts on the B’s season as NHL rookies.
While most if not all players headed to Buffalo are expected to need more marination time, those examples should be in the forefront of players’ minds.
“I think it should be real encouraging for them,” said Mougenel after the rookies practiced on Wednesday. “One thing we talked about even last year where we wanted guys to get their feet wet, I think the mindset’s changed a little bit. I think you go into rookie camp and you have a real good rookie camp, it translates into jobs. It says something about the youth movement and how they’ve pushed. For guys that come into camp and see that, it’s tangible. It’s there, it’s right in front of them. It’s a real good message that there’s opportunity for guys.”
One player that does have an outside chance of making a push for a roster spot is forward Riley Duran, a player who brings good instincts and a skill set valued in the pros such as size (6-2, 198) and being strong along the walls.
GM Don Sweeney mentioned the former Providence College wing as someone who could challenge for a spot back and July, and Duran is itching to get going.
“Sweeney said today that if you work hard enough they’ll make room for you. You just have to play hard and play your own game,” said Duran. “I play my own brand. I don’t have to change anything up, maybe just a couple of things body position-wise, but beside that, I play my own game and hopefully things work out.”
Duran signed at the end of his collegiate season last spring and had some success with the P-Bruins, notching a two goals and two assists in 11 games, surprising some observers because he hadn’t been a big scorer at PC.
“When we got Riley, he was fighting it a little bit in college,” said Mougenel. “His growth was real interesting to see because we came in with our eyes wide open for him and we let him play his game and I think he flourished that way. College is a little bit different in that they only play two games in a weekend, their season’s short, so every game means so much. There’s a lot vested in every play and I think it kind of took the handcuffs off him when he came to (the P-Bruins). We want him to play free, let his skill take over. And he was exceptional for us. I was a little bit surprised at his skill set and his separation, his hands, his shot. It’s the truth that some guys’ games translate better into pro than they do in college and junior. And I think he’s one of those guys. Him coming at the end of the year was huge for him. I think it’s probably accelerated where he is and I expect him to really push. I think he’s a (Jim Montgomery) type of player, a Chris Kelly-type of player. They’re going to enjoy him.”
Defenseman Frederic Brunet is not expected to push for a roster spot, but that’s not to say he’s not an interesting prospect. A player who is 6-foot-3, 196 pounds, skates well and has good offensive skill and instincts usually do open eyes. But Brunet, who just turned 21 on August 21, was given an education on how much he needs to physically mature in his first season in the AHL last year.
“The biggest thing will be I’m not going to be surprised anymore by the quality of play and the quality of guys in the American league, so I think it’s just being ready for my next challenge. I think my defense is going to have to take a huge step and I’m ready for that,” said Brunet.
Mougenel has already seen a lot of growth in Brunet.
“Bru came into the league as an extremely young player and there were hiccups at defending, for sure. And playing against men. That was to be expected,” said Mougenel. “But by the end of the year, he was a guy that got a lot of minutes for us. We expect him to be that guy, to be in the top four and get some time on the power play. That’s going to be a big part of who he is. It was starting to grow last year. And for a player like Bru, it’s going to take some time. The best thing about the Bruins is, they’ve been afforded to have the ability to let guys marinate. He’s going to be the best version of himself and player when he gets (to Boston), just because he’s put that time in.”
And this weekend’s Prospects Challenge is another step in doing that time….
BRUINS PROSPECTS CHALLENGE ROSTER
FORWARDS
John FARINACCI, Evan VIERLING Trevor KUNTAR, Riley DURAN, Owen PEDERSON, Brett HARRISON, Jaxon NELSON, Connor HVIDSTON, Adam MECHURA, Carlin DEZAINDE, Jake SLOAN, Lucas ROMEO, Charlie HILTON, Markus VIDICEK
DEFENSE
Jackson EDWARD, Drew BAVARO, Frederic BRUNET, Tomas CIBULKA, Jack BRAUTI, Parker VON RICHTER, Felix PLAMONDON, Loke JOHANSSON, Ryan MAST
GOALIES
Keegan WARREN, Ryan BISCHEL
BRUINS PROSPECT CHALLENGE SHCEDULE
Friday, Sept. 13 – vs. Pittsbrugh Penguins, Noon
Saturday, September 14 – vs. Columbus Blue Jackets, 3:30 p.m.
Monday, September 16 – vs New Jersey, 10 am.