If you happen to’re a fan of the Boston Bruins, it’s very possible you’ve heard the names Fabian Lysell and Georgii Merkulov fairly a bit this offseason. It is sensible, on condition that they’re arguably the 2 finest ahead prospects within the Bruins system and have the perfect possibilities of filling a big position on the staff’s NHL roster this season. For that reason, all eyes have been on these two younger forwards through the Bruins’ first preseason sport of the season on Sunday. Sadly, neither appeared to search out their rhythm within the contest, leaving a lot to be desired by the staff, media, and followers alike.
Although Lysell and Merkulov each have robust offensive talent units, neither did a lot within the Bruins’ 3-2 loss to the New York Rangers. In actual fact, they have been the one two Bruins gamers to complete the sport with out a shot on aim. Merkulov recorded a secondary help within the sport, however the basic consensus from these watching was that these two gamers would want to do extra to earn a roster spot out of coaching camp. That is very true if they’re aiming for a top-six spot on the staff, somewhat than pushing for a lower-impact bottom-six position to start out their careers.
Regardless of Lysell having a number of turnovers and failing to place the puck on aim, his pace was on full show at varied factors within the sport. This included a backcheck that noticed him forestall an empty-net aim late within the third interval. He scored 15 objectives and 50 factors in 56 video games with Windfall final season, and as a pure right-shot winger, he appears tailored for an NHL top-six position in the future, supplied he can persistently play as much as his potential. The identical could be stated about Merkulov, who scored 30 objectives and 65 factors in 67 video games final season within the AHL, in addition to 24 objectives and 55 factors in 67 video games the season prior. Because the extra pure goal-scorer of the 2, Merkulov could possibly be a hidden gem for the Bruins underneath the appropriate circumstances. Sadly, it’s difficult for NHL groups to commit full-time to creating gamers on the primary roster when additionally they have aspirations of competing for the Stanley Cup. The staff toed that line final season with Matt Poitras, who noticed an sudden soar to the NHL roster final season out of coaching camp.
Bruins Roster Competitors Is Fierce
The Bruins have a plethora of gamers able to filling bottom-six roles subsequent season. Whereas many anticipate the third line to characteristic Trent Frederic, Morgan Geekie and Poitras, one among these three may have to start out the season on the staff’s second line. This is able to then open the door for somebody like Justin Brazeau to maneuver as much as the third line. The fourth line could characteristic probably the most competitors this season, with the likes of John Beecher, Max Jones, Mark Kastelic, Riley Duran, Trevor Kuntar and even Brett Harrison competing for jobs out of coaching camp. Beecher is probably going a lock, and Jones and Kastelic, signed as a free agent and acquired within the Linus Ullmark commerce, respectively, additionally appear to be penciled into spots. On the similar time, it’s arduous to utterly rule out the 22-year-old Duran, whom basic supervisor Don Sweeney talked about by title on July 1 as a attainable promotion this fall.
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With so many transferring components and so many alternative gamers factoring into the Bruins’ plans, there are not any ensures that Lysell or Merkulov will make the roster to start out the season. On the similar time, a sluggish begin to coaching camp and the preseason shouldn’t instantly rule them out of rivalry. There’s plenty of time between now and the beginning of the season for each gamers to indicate greater than they did on Sunday, so writing them off this early can be untimely.
Each participant within the historical past {of professional} sports activities has had a foul sport. Whereas it’s lower than ultimate for each of those gamers that their poor efficiency got here once they have been absolutely underneath the microscope, it ought to be thought of a part of the equation and never your entire story. On the finish of the day, even when one or each of those younger prospects fail to make the Bruins’ roster proper out of camp, it’s clear that they’re on the cusp and can nearly actually see taking part in time sooner or later this season—ideally, in everlasting roles.
