BOSTON — Alex Khokhlachev made headlines during training camp when he declared he “will not play in Providence all my life.”
As as two-time P-Bruins scoring champ in the final year of his contract, Khokhlachev argued, he deserved a chance to prove himself at the NHL level.
Well, that chance has arrived.
With winger David Pastrnak on the mend from a foot injury, the Bruins on Tuesday recalled Khokhlachev, who was tied for the AHL lead in points (13) and assists (nine) at the time of his call-up.
“I think a lot of what he’s done in Providence — he’s a good playmaker,” head coach Claude Julien said. “He’s a smart, heady player. He’s leading the league right now in the American League, so he certainly deserves an opportunity to come up here and help us out.”
A natural centerman, Khokhlachev has played primarily on the wing this season, seeing action on both the left and right sides for the Baby B’s.
“He has been playing the wing for the most part in Providence this year,” Julien said, “so he’ll get a chance to do that with us, as well.”
Khokhlachev, who played in one game for Boston in 2013-14 and another three last season, said the position change didn’t bother him, especially since it likely improved his chances of a promotion to the center-heavy big club.
“To play for Boston, I don’t care where I play,” he said. “Wherever they put me. If I have a chance to play for Boston on the wing, I will play wing. I don’t care.”
Based on the lines at morning skate, Khokhlachev likely will begin Tuesday’s matchup with the Dallas Stars at right wing alongside Loui Eriksson and David Krejci — Pastrnak’s usual spot. Eriksson (two goals, seven assists) and Krejci (seven goals, eight assists) have been two of Boston’s best players this season, but Pastrnak has struggled, managing just one point over his last eight games.
“Oh yeah, he’s a great player,” Khokhlachev said of Krejci, the Bruins’ leader in both goals and points. “He can see the ice really well. You can say a lot of good things about him, and Loui is really good, too. It’s a really good opportunity for me to play with these two guys.”
It came 10 games later than he hoped it would, but Khokhlachev finally has his chance to prove to Julien & Co. that he belongs in the NHL. He plans to make the most of it.
“I think everybody’s motivated,” he said. “Everybody wants to play in the NHL. If you play in Providence, and you play good and just wait for your chance, and right now will be my chance. I just need to play good and show what I’ve got to do, you know?”
Thumbnail photo via Ed Mulholland/USA TODAY Sports Images
