Photo via Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins have been scrutinized for their development of young players under the Don Sweeney regime over the last ten years. Even Sweeney himself said that the Bruins have not done a great job with advancing young players, particularly at the forward position. But have the Bruins given their more talented youth a fair chance, and are the expectations too high?
Matt Poitras, Fraser Minten, and Fabian Lysell are considered the best of the prospects that the Bruins have in their organization. All three are vying for a spot on the opening night roster. There might only be one spot for the three of them.
Poitras has the most NHL experience. The center burst onto the scene as a 19-year-old and showed flashes of offensive ability. Since then, injuries and his slight frame have been factors in his playing in the AHL with the Providence Bruins for much of last season. Minten was acquired in the trade that sent Brandon Carlo to Toronto. The forward is a good prospect with upside. In limited time in the NHL, Minten has had good moments. But in this lineup, is there room for him? Lysell is a first round draft pick who has battled for time in the NHL. His defensive deficiencies prohibit him from having a stable spot in the lineup. Marco Sturm has had success in the past with younger players, but as has been the case with Boston, opportunities will not be handed out for nothing.
“I heard a quote and I said it to the team during my opening speech from the head coach from Philadelphia Eagles (Nick Siranni) when he won the championship, ‘Players have to do some special things’ either to win the Cup or to win games or the trophy. And I feel like it goes into that too. Those young guys have to do special things to make the team,” Sturm said Wednesday. “And there’s some young kids, they have to do more. They have to give me a reason, let’s put that way, and hopefully they do with these games coming up.”
Lysell in particular is an interesting case. He has tried to play the way the organization wants him to while still being able to play a creative offensive game. It has been a struggle to combine both. Sturm has talked with Lysell about the expectations.
“He sees himself as an offensive guy, but I want to see both sides of it,” Sturm said. “I want to see with the puck and without the puck, and in both areas, I think he can be better. There’s nothing new anymore. Everyone knows the system now. Everyone knows the drills. Everyone knows how I want to play. And now they just gotta show it.”
Minten has been good in camp and is pushing for a spot, but “special things” are expected. Is that too lofty a goal for young players? Do the current veterans do special things in games now? The Bruins are trying to add some youth to the lineup but seem to want near perfect performance. Is that fair? Is it hypocritical on a team that projects to be near the bottom of the NHL this season. It might be time to add some youth and see how it goes.
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