With the Bruins down to their final two preseason games, the roster squeeze is starting to get real.
Boston finishes its four-game exhibition slate on the road, facing the Flyers in Philadelphia on Thursday night before heading to Washington on Friday. That means these last two tune-ups are the final chance for a handful of players to make a case before next Tuesday night’s season-opener against the New York Rangers at TD Garden.
The picture got even murkier this week for two players already living on the edge. Forward Matthew Poitras and defenseman Mason Lohrei, both on the bubble to make the roster, were injured over the last couple of days, and that leaves their status up in the air.
That opens the door for others still fighting for one of the remaining spots, and Thursday night in Philadelphia could go a long way in deciding who sticks.
Alex Steeves is one of the names right in the middle of that battle. His situation has been complicated by Poitras’ injury, depending on how long Poitras is sidelined.
Steeves got off to a strong start last season and earned an extension, but his game tailed off after that and he ended up more often watching from the press box than skating in the lineup. The depth chart has only gotten tighter, with James Hagens appearing to have moved ahead of him, and Poitras seemingly closing in too.
For Steeves, this is the kind of game that can swing his whole outlook.
Mikey Eyssimont is in a similar spot. The veteran forward is also fighting for a bottom-six role, and he looks to be squeezed by the same numbers game.
Hagens appears to have jumped him on the depth chart as well, and with a fourth line likely featuring Tanner Jeannot, Sean Kuraly, and Mark Kastelic back in place, there may not be much room left for Eyssimont. He did score twice in Tuesday night’s 5-1 win, but plenty of fans would still choose Poitras over him.
Still, Sturm’s comments after the Flyers game on Tuesday night could point in another direction.
Then there’s Lukas Reichel, whose path has been different but just as uncertain. The Bruins brought him in from the Vancouver Canucks at the trade deadline last March, and then re-signed him in May.
Reichel adds speed and isn’t shy about going to the hard areas of the ice, but he doesn’t bring the same skill level as Hagens or Poitras, and he doesn’t project as the same kind of playmaker either. Like Steeves and Eyssimont, his spot may come down to what he does against Philadelphia.
In Other News...
Bruins Give Another Look To Names Fighting For Opening Night
The Bruins are getting another early look at the mix of players battling for spots as they head into their preseason road game against the Flyers, a useful checkpoint with opening night still ahead. Boston has already started sorting through a roster that includes forwards, defensemen and goalies expected to play, while the broader preseason picture has offered a few reminders of how crowded these decisions can be.
Recent exhibition results have added some shape to the conversation, including a 3-2 win over Washington that needed a shootout to settle it. Bostons preseason slate continues to move toward the regular season, which begins at home against the Rangers, and these next games should keep sharpening the competition for the jobs still hanging in the balance. [Read more 🡒]
Bruins Season Could Force A Painful Decision On Pavel Zacha
The Bruins season could end up shaping more than just their playoff picture. Beyond the nightly standings chase, Boston is already looking at a roster decision that could loom larger down the line, with Pavel Zacha and Casey Mittelstadt both sitting in the mix as players who have come up in trade chatter and whose futures may hinge on how competitive the team remains.
If the Bruins drift out of contention, the front office may have to weigh whether keeping veteran pieces intact is worth the risk of losing leverage later. Zacha, in particular, is the name that could command the most attention around the league and bring back the strongest package if Boston decides the season is headed in the wrong direction, making his status one of the more consequential subplots to watch. [Read more 🡒]
James Hagens Is Making Bruins Fans Rethink Opening Night
James Hagens has been one of the more interesting names in Bruins camp, not just because of where he stands in the organization, but because he has forced his way into the conversation with his play. The top prospect has carried that momentum into the preseason, looking comfortable enough to make Bostons opening-night plans feel a little less settled than they did a few weeks ago.
Marco Sturm has noticed the difference, too, with Hagens appearing more confident and better prepared physically than he was a year ago. He added another reminder in the preseason win over Washington, when his shootout effort helped seal the result, and now the Bruins have a roster decision to make before they face the Rangers in the opener. [Read more 🡒]