DeBrusk is Set on Moving Forward

BOSTON - The first four seasons of Jake DeBrusk's NHL career are now wiped from his memory. Whether it was his 27-goal campaign in 2018-19 or his 14-point output last season, the winger - who is entering his fifth season with the Bruins - is not looking back.
"I pretty much forgot my whole career," DeBrusk said following Saturday's training camp session. "I'm clean-slating it. I think it's a pivotal point in my career as well, so just trying to do the little things every day, take it day by day, and not look too far in advance or at anything in the past."

DeBrusk struggled to find his game during the shortened 2020-21 season, as he notched a career-low five goals in 41 games, while finding himself as a healthy scratch on multiple occasions. The Edmonton native also lost his spot as David Krejci's left wing and by the start of the postseason was riding on the fourth line or playing his off wing on Boston's third line.
Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said earlier this week that he had a conversation with DeBrusk over the summer as the duo looked to find some common ground when it comes to putting the speedy scorer in the best position moving forward.
"We had a good talk about some of the things that didn't allow him to be at the top of his game away from the rink," said Cassidy. "The COVID protocols affect people differently, what they can and can't do. I think Jake was one of those guys, being by himself, it was a little tougher on him. We discussed some of those things and how we can help as a staff and how it was probably on both of us to reach out a little more.
"I think in today's game, with today's athlete, there has to be a little more of that. I think we both held ourselves accountable in that regard - open the lines of communication better and that may bleed into the on-ice performance and that will take care of itself."
DeBrusk echoed his coach's sentiments, admitting that the lonely nature of last season weighed on him. As such, the 24-year-old used the summer to reconnect with his teammates and friends away from the rink.
"That was a big thing," said DeBrusk. "It's not perfect [this year], there's still some guidelines and things like that. But this summer was huge for that. I actually stayed here in Boston for just under two months…there were guidelines back home [in Edmonton] and I didn't want to quarantine again so I stayed.
"I had a great time, enjoyed the city, just lived…[the pandemic] was tough for everybody. Just to be able to go with the guys and have some fun was what I needed."

While he was enjoying the offseason, DeBrusk's name popped up in several trade rumors that made waves on social media. But DeBrusk has tried to tune out the noise as much as possible, a task that he says he's gotten much better at as his career has progressed.
"My name was getting dropped a lot this year, eh?" DeBrusk said with a smirk. "It's been like that for probably four years…obviously I like being a Bruin. I was drafted here and love the boys. It's one of those things that I took a little bit more personal when I was younger…it will take a lot more than Twitter to get to me this year."
DeBrusk has started camp back at his natural left-wing position alongside newcomers Erik Haula and Nick Foligno, which figures to be Boston's third line to begin the year.
"They're both pretty good players," said DeBrusk. "Erik's faster than what I remember playing against him; just a good, smart player, makes plays. So does Nick. Nick makes all the little plays…I thought that we did all right the first couple days and it seems like they're getting along with the boys pretty well too."
DeBrusk, who is a restricted free agent at season's end, believes it will be difficult to repeat his disappointing 2020-21 season and is banking on himself as he aims to get his game back on track.
"I don't think I can replicate what happened last year," said DeBrusk. "Hopefully not, knock on wood. There's no pressure. It's a contract year, technically. Speaking on that, I don't really think about it. I just want to play hockey and put the puck in the net."

Taking Up Space

Charlie McAvoy is no stranger to playing alongside a big body. The 23-year-old was paired with 6-foot-9 Zdeno Chara for the first three-plus seasons of career and learned the ropes from the former Bruins captain.
Now, it looks like McAvoy could have another hulking blue liner to his left.
McAvoy was paired with 6-foot-4 newcomer Derek Forbort for the first two days of camp, forming a duo that could see significant time together during the regular season.
"I think with every partner, regardless, I have the upmost trust and faith in those guys," said McAvoy, who paired with familiar partner Matt Grzelcyk during Saturday's sessions. "He's big, he takes up space, defends really hard. As far as in the grand scheme of the game, turning pucks over and quick transition, that's something we're going to be trying to do a lot.
"If he's able to make those plays, obviously we can go the other way pretty quick. It's been fun playing with him. He's big. He's got a long stick and we've been breaking up plays pretty well and still getting acclimated and talking a lot through it all."
McAvoy, meanwhile, was also manning the B's top power play unit on Saturday afternoon with Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak, and Foligno at the net front.
"I had a lot of fun playing with those guys last year," said McAvoy, who has spent most of his time with the second unit to this point of his career. "They're obviously world-class players…so long as I'm back there, I want to be reliable, make the plays that I'm supposed to make, give those guys the puck in positions where they can show their skill and make good plays and complement them well. That's what I'm looking to do and build confidence more and more as we do it."
The former first-round pick is in the final season of a three-year deal and is poised to secure a significant raise on his current $4.9 million cap hit, particularly after some of the deals his fellow young blue liners Seth Jones, Cale Makar, Dougie Hamilton, and Zach Werenski signed this past offseason. McAvoy, however, is not making his next deal a priority at the moment.
"Just playing hockey, that's it," said McAvoy. "Obviously, all those D-men, I'm very happy for them. I know quite a few of them. Couldn't be happier for them. They're all very well deserved. But for me, I'm just excited about this year, excited about the group we have. Being back together and seeing everyone is always so awesome. I feel like we've had a good few days here to start. Just want to keep building on that momentum."

Top of the Line

It's been quite a start to the preseason for Jesper Froden. The 27-year-old Swedish winger, who signed with the Bruins out of his homeland this summer, burst onto the Black & Gold scene last weekend with a four-goal performance at the two-game Prospects in Challenge in Buffalo.
Froden's strong showing earned him a look in David Pastrnak's normal spot alongside Marchand and Bergeron during the first two days of camp with Cassidy opting to take a look at some different line combinations.
As such, Froden is quite pleased so far with his decision to shift to North America.
"Obviously, my goal is to play in the NHL. That's why I came over here. No question about it," said Froden, who knew Pastrnak from the winger's time playing in Sweden and is also friendly with former Bruins forward Par Lindholm.
"They wanted to see me with some elite players. I think I did a pretty good job there. Obviously [Bergeron and Marchand are] two awesome players. Trying to learn as much as I can early in camp and try to prove myself and play good hockey."

Feeling the Itch

Curtis Lazar was itching to get back to Boston. After fitting in well as the B's fourth-line center upon his arrival from Buffalo at last year's trade deadline, the 26-year-old could hardly wait to return to his new city and gear up for his first full season in Black & Gold.
"Last year was so much fun," said Lazar, who has played the right wing alongside Trent Frederic and Tomas Nosek through the first few days of camp. "Leaving on the note that we did, it's almost that there's some unfinished business. For a guy like myself, still fresh, still new, still considered a newer guy. I was ready to get back here, been back here for a few weeks now.
"To get things going with some structure, the staff on the ice, to really get camp underway has been great. Get to rub shoulders with your teammates again, push each other and work towards that common goal of getting ready for night one. It's why we're here."

Saturday's Line Combinations

GROUP A
FORWARDS
Brad Marchand - Patrice Bergeron - David Pastrnak
Taylor Hall - Jack Studnicka - Craig Smith
Eduards Tralmaks - Brett Harrison - Nick Foligno
Cameron Hughes - Joona Koppanen - Zach Senyshyn
Charlie Coyle
DEFENSEMEN
Derek Forbort - Charlie McAvoy
Mike Reilly - Brandon Carlo
Matt Grzelcyk - Ryan Mast
Nick Wolff - Aaron Ness
GOALIES
Linus Ullmark
Kyle Keyser
Jeremy Brodeur

GROUP B
FORWARDS
Jake DeBrusk - Erik Haula - Jesper Froden
Anton Blidh - Steven Fogarty - Chris Wagner
Matt Filipe - Curtis Hall - Karson Kuhlman
Jakub Lauko - Oskar Steen - Fabian Lysell
Ian McKinnon - Samuel Asselin - Alex-Olivier Voyer
DEFENSEMEN
Jakub Zboril - John Moore
Jack Ahcan - Connor Clifton
Urho Vaakanainen - Tyler Lewington
Noah Dorey - Brady Lyle
GOALIES
Jeremy Swayman
Troy Grosenick
Callum Booth