The Boston Bruins could have some massive choices to make over the approaching days as preseason and coaching camp attracts to an in depth. Whereas the blue line appears fairly set, there are plenty of query marks nonetheless in terms of the forwards, similar to who will play middle, who will play out on the wing, and the usual who even will make the opening-night roster?
Going into the preseason, all eyes had been on Georgii Merkulov and Fabian Lysell to be combating for a roster spot. Pleasure has been constructing round Merkulov since his first season within the American Hockey League (AHL) after signing as a free agent out of faculty. On the subject of Lysell after all, expectations have been excessive for him since he was chosen within the first spherical of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.
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Neither participant was spectacular of their first preseason recreation in opposition to the New York Rangers, and whereas they bounced again within the second preseason recreation — significantly Lysell — there may be some motive to doubt whether or not or not one or each of them will make the roster. This has left the door open for different guys to get an actual have a look at an opening-night roster spot.
With Max Jones presently out with an undisclosed damage, one of many youthful guys who has stepped up, impressed, and is making a case to be on the opening-night roster is Riley Tufte.
Tufte’s Path to the Boston Bruins
Tufte signed with the Bruins firstly of free company on July 1 on a one-year deal value $775,000. The 6-foot-6, 26 12 months outdated arrived after one 12 months spent within the Colorado Avalanche group the place he appeared in 5 NHL video games and 67 video games with the Colorado Eagles within the AHL.
The Minnesota-born participant is a first-round draft decide, chosen twenty fifth general by the Dallas Stars in 2016. He’s one among 4 gamers chosen within the first spherical of 2016 to presently be within the Bruins’ system (Charlie McAvoy, Trent Frederic, and Jones).
Tufte spent the three seasons following his draft taking part in within the NCAA for College of Minnesota Duluth, profitable two NCAA Nationwide Championships whereas a member of the workforce. He then joined the Stars’ group, however by no means turned a full-time NHL participant whereas with the group.
Tufte arrives in Boston with 18 video games of NHL expertise. In these video games, he has two objectives and three whole factors. At 26, the clock is starting to tick on whether or not he can get to the purpose of being a full-time NHLer.
Tufte’s Glorious Preseason So Far
Tufte has had a fireplace lit below him all through coaching camp and the preseason up to now. It’s clear he feels the mounting stress and the ticking clock, and needs to make the roster out of coaching camp, regardless of not essentially being on individuals’s radars coming into the season. He has the dimensions and aggression the Bruins at all times appear to like.
There are some guys who thrive in head coach Jim Montgomery’s system. Frederic, for instance, actually turned issues round after the teaching change and has change into a dependable member of the roster. Tufte, like Frederic, is a giant man who can play aggressively but additionally has the offensive abilities, even when it hasn’t fairly been tapped into but within the NHL. He’s the sort of participant who may do rather well in Montgomery’s system, and just like Frederic, Tufte may see himself taking a giant step ahead this season if he makes the roster.
Tufte scored a objective within the preseason matchup in opposition to the Washington Capitals. His objective, alongside along with his play at coaching camp, has actually turned heads in direction of the imposing winger. With struggles and accidents to different guys, if he continues to play properly and use his measurement to his full functionality, like he did on his objective in opposition to Washington, there’s a compelling case to have him on the opening-night roster.
Will Tufte Make the Roster?
Regardless of the primary recreation of the 2024-25 season being lower than two weeks away, it’s nonetheless too early to inform. As talked about, there’s an argument to be made. He’s performed properly and is getting consideration. His measurement is an apparent benefit, particularly when simply how massive the Bruins roster is shaping as much as be in 2024-25. If he continues to play in addition to he has, I feel increasingly more individuals will get on the “Tufte prepare.”
As it’s although, there may be plenty of competitors for the ultimate few roster spots. Moreover Merkulov and Lysell, who had been the most important names coming into camp, there may be additionally Riley Duran and Brett Harrison to contemplate. Each are a bit youthful than Tufte and are drawing some consideration via coaching camp and the preseason as properly.
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The spots are open. Not like final fall the place it turned obvious fairly rapidly that Matthew Poitras was going to lock down an opening-night spot, no one has actually leaped forward of the competitors to seize their spot. Tufte, Merkulov, Lysell, Harrison, and Duran all appear to be on fairly equal footing proper now. There could also be a slight edge to Lysell, and I wouldn’t be shocked to see him get the nod, however I might be equally unsurprised if he didn’t make it.
This subsequent week will likely be particularly essential for all of those guys as they make their case to the teaching workers and entrance workplace. It is going to actually be fascinating to see the way it all shakes out main as much as Oct. 8 and opening night time in opposition to the Florida Panthers.
