3 issues to look at for throughout Bruins’ preseason sport vs. Sabres

If each Beecher and Lauko can get their ft shifting, power turnovers, and pin the Sabres in their very own zone on Tuesday, that could possibly be the makings of a smash-mouth fourth line that may do harm every time they jump over the boards — particularly alongside Milan Lucic.

Mason Lohrei makes his debut 

A lot of the hype surrounding the Bruins’ blue-chip prospects early on in camp has often centered round forwards like Matthew Poitras, Fabian Lysell, and Georgii Merkulov (who will play tonight).

However Tuesday can even see defenseman Mason Lohrei make his preseason debut, with the 22-year-old blueliner anticipated to log top-pairing minutes alongside Brandon Carlo.

“It’s been numerous enjoyable enjoying with him,” Carlo stated on Tuesday. “I really feel like our communication is getting higher. After which from there, he’s had some actually nice moments shifting the puck.

“You possibly can inform that he’s obtained that inside his sport. However with our size and lengthy sticks, hopefully we will shut numerous these rushes off by the blue line. And that’s one thing I’m trying to do tonight. However [he’s] undoubtedly impressed me to this point.”

Lohrei (61 factors in 71 video games at Ohio State) boasts arguably the best ceiling amongst Bruins prospects given his playmaking capabilities. Whereas there are a lot of D-men whose sport revolve round their O-zone play, few additionally clock in at 6-foot-4 and 209 kilos like Lohrei.

A robust camp may see the left-shot skater doubtlessly push for a spot on the NHL roster, particularly additional down on the depth chart. Nonetheless, the cautious route for Lohrei would possibly see him open the 12 months in Windfall to get a bit extra seasoning.

He’s logged a complete of eight AHL video games in his profession, together with his skating and D-zone play standing as areas of emphasis for him to enhance on.

“What I like about him is his mind, his size, his ft,” Montgomery stated of Lohrei. “He has great poise with the puck. Once more, I feel the good thing about him going to play in Windfall and getting numerous video games is getting used to our system.

“He appears to be very comfy now this 12 months in enjoying quick defensively in our D-zone. … We have to see on the NHL degree — what number of battles is he going to win? How usually is he going to win foot races to be first on the puck? And the way a lot does he assist us in our transition offensively and defensively?”

Can PTO candidates put their greatest foot ahead?

There are a number of prospects and Windfall regulars attempting to land an NHL gig over the following two weeks.

However the two gamers feeling essentially the most strain this preseason may be forwards Alex Chiasson and Danton Heinen, who’re each working on skilled tryout (PTO) contracts.

Based mostly on Tuesday’s morning skate, Heinen will skate on a line with Georgii Merkulov and Oskar Steen, whereas Chaisson will skate with Lucic and Marc McLaughlin.

Each wingers could possibly be within the combine for vacancies throughout the bottom-six unit, particularly on a 3rd line subsequent to a possible duo of Morgan Geekie and Trent Frederic.

Heinen would possibly maintain the early edge because of his versatility and familiarity with each the Bruins and Jim Montgomery (his collegiate coach on the College of Denver.) However Chiasson could possibly be a helpful power-play weapon for Boston, particularly on the netfront.

“I feel each have been very efficient in camp to this point,” Montgomery stated of Heinen and Chiasson. “You possibly can inform that they’re NHL gamers they usually have NHL brains they usually work on the proper tempo. They should outplay folks. That’s what must occur.”