NEW YORK — Only per week to move sooner than their season opener, the Bruins are nonetheless tinkering with what facet they suspect most nearly fits Jake DeBrusk.
“All options are on the table,” trainer Jim Montgomery mentioned Wednesday, previous to the Bruins dealing with the Rangers right here in their next-to-last exhibition tuneup. “Left or right, we’re thinking of a lot of options to play with [Patrice Bergeron] and JD.”
Which is to mention, till additional understand, apparently that Bergeron and DeBrusk remain penciled in as a tandem for subsequent Wednesday evening’s opener in D.C. Part of the X issue in figuring out the place DeBrusk wings it easiest is the harm left winger Taylor Hall sustained Saturday when the Flyers had been in the city.
Hall, again skating Wednesday morning for the primary time because the harm, initially was once slated to play left wing with David Krejci at heart and David Pastrnak on proper wing. If Hall can’t go well with up subsequent week, then Pavel Zacha almost definitely strikes into his spot and rounds out an all-Czech trio.
Zacha, initially pegged as Bergeron’s left winger, then in all probability would yield his spot to DeBrusk, a lefty shot, leaving Montgomery to discover a appropriate frame for proper wing. The solid of proper wings that suited up right here incorporated Marc McLaughlin, prized prospect Fabian Lysell, and ex-Golden Gopher Vinni Lettieri, the latter of whom has logged 82 NHL video games over 5 seasons since graduating from the University of Minnesota.
Of the 3, McLaughlin up to now has exhibited the most efficient nostril for the web, and willingness to penetrate that tough “inside ice” house that has confirmed this type of bugaboo for the Bruins in contemporary years.
But Lysell, but to play a unmarried NHL sport, additionally has stuck Montgomery’s eye. The speedy, slick Swede, who led WHL Vancouver in scoring final season, his displayed some dynamic strikes. McLaughlin brings extra of the old-school grinding presence to the world, whilst Lysell makes use of his legs and stick ability to zip across the house and create probabilities.
“How quickly he can get into a scoring position,” mentioned Montgomery, noting the placement the place Lysell’s ability has been most evident. “We saw that on the power play. We see how quickly he can get to an inside scoring area and put [defenders] on their heels.”
Lysell was once set to open the evening on a line with John Beecher in the center and Jakub Lauko at the reverse (left) wall. McLaughin was once at the proper facet of a trio focused by means of Jack Studnicka and flanked by means of DeBrusk. Lettieri, who signed as a loose agent over the summer time, was once on a line that had Joona Koppanen at pivot and vet Chris Wagner flipped over to the left facet.
Zacha, Krejci, and Pastrnak formed the No. 1 line. Bergeron remained home and is expected to suit up in Saturday’s exhibition-season closer at TD Garden vs. the Devils.
Hall on the mend
On Monday, Montgomery characterized Hall as “week to week” with his upper-body injury. To see Hall back on skates Wednesday morning, albeit not for any physical engagement, made for some potential good news.
“What I’m finding out is how tough he is,” offered Montgomery. “I guess his pain tolerance is really high. He’s pushing it; he doesn’t want to be week to week, and we’re monitoring him.”
Needs improvement
Oskar Steen entered camp as a candidate for right wing duty, but the 24-year-old Swede, who displayed a semblance of spark in his 20 varsity games last season, was placed on waivers Tuesday for demotion to AHL Providence. The reason? “I think other players outplayed him in camp so far,” said a blunt Montgomery. “That’s the determining factor.” Steen cleared waivers and can continue his dream with the WannaB’s. In April, he signed a two-year, one-way deal that will bring him a total $1.6 million over these next two seasons … Zacha, Krejci, Pastrnak, and DeBrusk were the four regulars who dressed for the visit to Manhattan, joined by Brandon Carlo and Mike Reilly on the back end. Jeremy Swayman was in net, an indication that Linus Ullmark, who remained home, will get the call for the final tuneup vs. the Devils. Kyle Keyser, who saw relief duty Monday when Keith Kinkaid needed a breather in the third period, entered the night as Swayman’s backup … Veteran defenseman Anton Stralman, still in contention to have his tryout contract turn into an NHL deal, was in the lineup vs. the Rangers. It’s an increasing likelihood that he’ll be signed and with the club for the opener in D.C. … The Bruins will depart Boston Monday and practice in D.C. on Tuesday, allowing time for a team dinner ahead of opening puck drop.
Kevin Paul Dupont can also be reached at kevin.dupont@globe.com.