If David Krejci isn’t ready to be in the lineup on opening night or needs to take a break here and there, it appears the Bruins have found a serviceable fill-in with Zach Hamill.
The rookie center admittedly is not at the size he needs to be for the everyday rigors of the NHL, but he still has been able to use his instincts and skill playing against NHL competition.
“I saw a lot of potential," Julien told The Boston Globe after their game-day skate in Ottawa on Friday. “He's capable of making some pretty good heads-up plays and smart plays. I don't see him shying away from much. He's got to keep getting stronger. That's not something he's reached yet. But he's on the right track. He's improved immensely. Those are some of the areas, if he keeps working and going in that direction, that will make him even better.”
Hamill skated in Krejci’s usual second-line center slot between Blake Wheeler and Michael Ryder in the Bruins’ 2-1 shootout win at the Bell Centre on Thursday night.
