“His offensive production, his tenacity on pucks, his ability to score, all that has shown through,” Montgomery mentioned. “He’s going to be a big part of our future.”
The Bruins have to chop two more gamers earlier than subsequent Wednesday’s season opener in Washington, however for now, Jakub Lauko stays with the college. On Thursday, the 22-year-old used to be skating proper wing on a fourth line with Trent Frederic (LW) and Tomas Nosek (C).
Lauko, coming into his fourth yr as a professional, has inspired Montgomery together with his velocity and his skill to place fighters on their heels off the frenzy.
“He goes to hard areas, which draws penalties, which gains momentum, creates rebound chances,” mentioned Montgomery, who used to be keen to look what Lauko may do, both at the 3rd or fourth line, in Saturday’s preseason finale towards the Devils.
Another teenager who survived the cuts: Jack Studnicka.
In Wednesday’s preseason win over the Rangers, Studnicka bounced up after taking a pair exhausting hits, one from Vincent “The Prius” Trocheck (who turns out to relish taking part in towards the Bruins) and the opposite from Sammy Blais. He matched up most commonly towards Trocheck, a rugged No. 2 heart, and used to be assertive.
“He’s earned the right to continue to be here,” mentioned Montgomery, including that whilst Studnicka can build up his spatial consciousness to offer protection to himself, he likes his toughness and offensive skill.
“If he’s on the fourth line, he’s not a fourth-line, heavy, physical player,” Montgomery mentioned. “We just want him first on pucks and to be able to protect himself and protect pucks.”
Studnicka mentioned he felt excellent after apply, calling the Trocheck play “a good hockey hit” and noting that he attempted (unsucessfully) to go back the choose.
“I took a couple bumps last night, but getting to those areas, I’m fine with that. I got right back up,” mentioned Studnicka, who’s indexed at 6 ft 1 inch and 187 kilos. “If that’s my matchup, big strong guys like that, I’m just going to have to be ready. I’m a pretty strong kid.
“I certainly have potential. Wherever I’m slotted in, it’s fine. I know my game’s going to continue to grow. Hopefully I’ll step into roles that maybe people didn’t expect me to. I’m just trying to grow so many [aspects]: faceoffs, physicality, the defensive zone, things to grow around the offensive side. I’m a firm believer that the offense will come.”
Studnicka and hit-everything Chris Wagner, either one of whom must transparent waivers to be despatched to the AHL, had been in no-contact jerseys at Thursday’s apply. They skated on an additional line with Taylor Hall.
Montgomery didn’t have an harm replace on Hall, who used to be mentioned to be “week to week” after an upper-body harm ultimate Saturday towards Philadelphia, or Matt Grzelcyk (offseason shoulder surgical treatment). The latter is forward of time table, the trainer mentioned.
“He’s going to go into a regular jersey pretty quick,” Montgomery mentioned.
In addition to McLaughlin, best possibilities Fabian Lysell and John Beecher, together with defenseman Jack Ahcan and goalie Kyle Keyser, had been assigned to Providence.
“Lysell and Beecher are tremendous young hockey players,” Montgomery mentioned, noting that Wednesday used to be their first have a look at an NHL-caliber opponent.
To his trainer’s eye, the 19-year-old Lysell is “a tremendous talent” and a “competitior” who will “help the Bruins for a long time.” He must learn to be a constant professional, Montgomery mentioned.
Netminder Keith Kinkaid, forwards Joona Koppanen and Vinni Lettieri, and defenseman Dan Renouf had been waived so as to be despatched to Providence.
Montgomery used to be looking at Nick Foligno at No. 1 left wing, using with Patrice Bergeron and Jake DeBrusk. The all-Czechia line of Pavel Zacha, David Krejci, and David Pastrnak used to be again in combination after lighting fixtures up the Rangers Wednesday in a 5-4 win.
Does Montgomery see any reason why Zacha-Krejci-Pastrnak wouldn’t be a unit for Game 1?
“Not right now,” he mentioned. “Us coaches have short-term memories. Saturday might change everything.”
Linus Ullmark will get started the preseason finale in purpose. It can be his 2nd preseason get started, equaling Jeremy Swayman. Montgomery chuckled when requested if he had determined on an opening-night starter: “I haven’t even thought about that one.”
He added that the goalie workload may seem like ultimate yr, when each Swayman and Ullmark performed in 41 video games, beginning 39.
A.J. Greer used to be at No. 3 left wing Thursday, with Charlie Coyle and Craig Smith. Montgomery mentioned he sought after to take a look at how Greer appeared with Coyle. Same is going for the Frederic-Nosek pair.
The protection pairs (Hampus Lindholm-Brandon Carlo, Mike Reilly-Jakub Zboril, Derek Forbort-Connor Clifton) gave the look of what Montgomery may roll out on opening night time.
Grzelcyk and the still-unsigned Anton Stralman had been an additional pair.
It appears like Stralman, the 15-year veteran right here on a certified tryout, will probably be introduced a freelance.
Montgomery praised the 36-year-old for his poised, astute puck motion and good selections.
“He made a play in the third [Wednesday] where he got the puck at the offensive blue line, standing still, and he made a little dink pass to the slot,” Montgomery mentioned. “I think it was [to] Lauko, Lauko goes around, and we’re in the zone for another 20 seconds. We’re playing with the lead, it’s 5-4 at the time.
“To have that kind of poise and game management, to make that play and know you have the time, his risk/reward is high.”
It no doubt didn’t harm that Stralman blew up Blais in a while after the Ranger dropped Studnicka with a blank test. Teammates and coaches understand that roughly factor.
Matt Porter can also be reached at matthew.porter@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter: @mattyports.