The preseason offered a chance for someone to establish themselves and gain a position on the roster, even though the Boston Bruins already had their top six forwards signed.
Prospects Georgii Merkulov and Fabian Lysell were the center of attention, but Max Jones, Mark Kastelic, Cole Koepke, and Riley Tufte were the ones who deserved to be on the Opening Night roster. Trent Frederic and Justin Brazeau were scheduled to play in the third line, and Jim Montgomery was pleased with what he saw in the anticipated fourth line.
“We felt (Johnny) Beecher and Kastelic played really well throughout camp together,” Montgomery told reporters on Monday, according to BostonBruins.com’s Eric Russo. Koepke’s camp was fortified. The men in the third line are those we believe will be significant, substantial, and meaningful to us.
Throughout the offseason, Boston made it apparent that it intended to strengthen and bolster every player on the team. Veteran Tyler Johnson, who signed a PTO with the Black and Gold, was also put to the test by the Bruins. Johnson’s position on the team is still unclear because Montgomery claimed Johnson was “not with the team.” The head coach did not have an update beyond that. With an unidentified ailment, Matthew Poitras was sidelined, which would present an opportunity for Johnson.
When it came to Opening Night versus the Florida Panthers, Boston’s primary concern was who would start in goal. That will be revealed closer to Tuesday’s 7 p.m. ET puck drop.
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