WILMINGTON, Mass. — David Pastrnak’s first step toward making the Boston Bruins’ roster was playing well at development camp in July, and his impressive performance drew strong reviews from general manager Peter Chiarelli.
The second hurdle for Pastrnak is rookie camp, which began Thursday at Ristuccia Arena. Pastrnak said it’s “one of many steps” toward making the NHL roster as a rookie winger. He has acknowledged in the past that he’s not thinking about making the team and will let his play determine his fate.
Through one hour-long practice comprised of 22 total players, many of whom will play with the AHL’s Providence Bruins this season, the Czech forward’s skill stood out.
“I love his infectious personality. He just shows up wanting to play hockey and get better,” Bruins assistant general manager Don Sweeney said Thursday. “His skill set sort of separates him at times because it’s awfully good. Now we got him playing some center and some wing just to get him comfortable. He’s excited and we are as an organization to have him as a part of our group.”
Pastrnak once again showed off his speed, hands and playmaking skill during Thursday’s skate. He mostly played center, with power forwards Anthony Camara and Seth Griffith on his wings. Playing center will help Pastrnak grow more acclimated to the North American ice surface (which is smaller than what he played on in Europe) and help develop his defensive IQ.
There’s no question that Pastrnak has the powerful shot, quickness and high offensive awareness that the Bruins are looking to add to the bottom-six forward group. The Czech forward already has more offensive skill than other top forward prospects such as Ryan Spooner, Matt Fraser and Alex Khokhlachev.
Pastrnak is expected to compete for a right wing job on the Bruins’ roster during training camp. It’s a position that Boston lacks depth at following the free-agent departures of veterans Jarome Iginla and Shawn Thornton. In the event that Loui Eriksson moves up to the top line to play alongside David Krejci and Milan Lucic, Pastrnak could slide into the third-line right wing role next to center Carl Soderberg.
All of the players who participated at Thursday’s rookie camp will travel Friday to Tennessee, where they will compete against opponents of a similar age from the Nashville Predators, Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning. It will be a fantastic evaluation opportunity for Sweeney and the rest of the B’s front office.
Pastrnak will have a chance to showcase his talents in front of many top-tier prospects, including Lightning winger Jonathan Drouin, whom NHL.com recently ranked as the league’s top prospect.
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