BOSTON — The Loui Eriksson we saw last season is the player Bruins fans can expect to see more of in the 2015-16 NHL campaign.
The veteran winger had to deal with injuries, including two concussions, in his first season with the B’s. He also had to adjust to a different style of play, new teammates and the pressure that comes from playing in an Original Six market with rabid fans.
Eriksson bounced back well in 2014-15 with 22 goals and 25 assists in 81 games. He also drove puck possession by helping the B’s control 52.34 percent of shot attempts during 5-on-5 play, while making a positive impact on the power play and penalty kill units as well.
His next challenge is to take that success into the new season and establish more consistency in his game.
“I’m going to try to build on that and get better,” Eriksson said Friday after training camp practice at TD Garden. “My first season, it wasn’t the best one for me. I had the two concussions that didn’t help. But last season was much better and I was feeling more like myself and I was feeling good out there. Hopefully I can bring a little extra this year and help the team even more. I’m looking forward to it.”
Eriksson is not the traditional Bruins forward in that he doesn’t play the “Big and Bad” style most fans love. There’s nothing wrong with that, though, because Eriksson is more effective causing turnovers by stripping pucks, breaking up chances with a good stick and being positionally sound.
It’s the type of defensive game that excels in today’s fast-paced NHL.
“I know I heard from friends like they’re comparing, I’m not a ‘Bruins player.’ But I think I am,” Eriksson said. “I can play in all three zones and I can play in all situations. I’m not maybe, the biggest hitter out there, but I’m trying to use my stick and take pucks from other guys. I feel good about my game and I’ve been having a good summer here getting in shape.”
There’s no set spot in the lineup for Eriksson at the beginning of camp, which is the case for just about all 60 players in attendance.
That said, the wide range of skills in Eriksson’s two-way game, in addition to his versatility in playing both wing spots, gives head coach Claude Julien a wealth of options when filling out his lineup sheet.
Thumbnail photo via Geoff Burke/USA TODAY Sports Images
