Getting to Know: Curtis Lazar

BOSTON - Curtis Lazar has always admired the Bruins from afar.
For him, the Black & Gold have long played his preferred style - high-paced, gritty, and physical.
"I always love playing Boston…they have that swag and that physicality which is a part of my game that I really pride myself in, is taking the body and setting the tone that way," said Lazar. "I kind of see myself as a perfect fit in that team in that regard. You play the right way, you let the puck do the work and you don't back down from anyone."
Lazar will soon have his chance to pull on the Spoked-B and embrace those edicts after being acquired by the Bruins, along with Taylor Hall, from the Buffalo Sabres on Monday morning in exchange for Anders Bjork and a 2021 second-round pick.
"For myself, it's an honest game. It's 200 feet," said Lazar. "I pride myself on keeping the puck out of our net, probably more so than putting it in their net. But that doesn't mean I'm any slouch at the offensive side either.
"I pride myself on that energy and gauging the momentum through a game here and there. I love to kill penalties and just kind of help where needed. I'm excited to get in the mix here, identify my role and embrace it."

Lazar has been out for the Sabres' last six games due to a lower-body injury, but has been skating for the past few days and expects to be ready to return to game action once he joins the Bruins. He was planning to drive from Buffalo and arrive in Boston on Monday night.
"I stayed back to get some conditioning skates in," said Lazar. "I'm pretty much good to go now. It's kind of perfect timing there, I've had some extra work in the gym. I'm definitely an option pretty much right away."
The 26-year-old admitted that he was caught "completely off guard" by the trade amidst what's been a whirlwind of late. Lazar and his wife welcomed a baby boy, their first child, about a week ago.
"A lot of moving parts right there, but I couldn't be happier with Boston and the opportunity," said Lazar. "Obviously they see something in me that they liked to include me in that deal, and I'm ready to prove it and show it. I kind of hit my stride in Buffalo and I want to build off what I learned there and continue that with the Bruins."
Lazar was also pleased that he'll have Hall joining him as they look to help Boston make another run at the Stanley Cup.
"It's pretty cool having Hallsy come with me," said Lazar. "I feel like for both of us, a chance to play some good hockey, be in that playoff race, it's exciting. That's what every player wants, to be in the postseason. We've got a great chance here.
"I'm happy to be a part of a very special organization with the Bruins. I respect that team, the way they play. I respect that entire organization and how it's run. I'm excited to be a part of it."

Everything else you need to know about the B's new forward:
Last Team:Buffalo Sabres
Position:Center/Right wing
Height:6 feet
Weight:193 pounds
Shoots:Right
Birthday:Feb. 2, 1995 (26 years old)
Hometown:Salmon Arm, British Columbia
Draft:First Round, 17th overall, 2013 (Ottawa)
Social:@CurtisLazar95 (Twitter/Instagram)
Miscellaneous:The 26-year-old has played for three teams in seven NHL seasons, compiling 25 goals and 70 points in 317 games for Ottawa, Calgary, and Buffalo. Lazar has already picked up five goals and nine points in 33 games for the Sabres this season, his second in Buffalo after three years each with the Senators and Flames.The native of British Columbia registered a career high six goals and 20 points for Ottawa in 2015-16.
"The Sabres…we had a lot of adversity," Lazar said. "Not saying other teams didn't or whatnot, but you get COVID, you kind of lose your legs and you go on that losing streak and whatnot. It was some tough sledding, there's no other way around it. It's a good group over there, I'm going to miss the guys, but I'm looking forward to a chance to play here with the Bruins.
"They're in a great spot here at the tail end of the season and I'm looking to contribute. Again, I've been able to build my game in Buffalo, and this is a new opportunity to be a part of that deal there. I'm going to do my thing."
Before making it to the NHL, Lazar - who captained Team Canada on multiple occasions - helped Canada to gold at the 2012 the Hlinka Memorial Tournament and also won gold at the 2015 World Junior Championship. Lazar was selected 17th overall by the Senators at the 2013 NHL Draft.
Scouting Report:The 6-foot, 193-pounder likes to push the pace and is expected to bring plenty of energy and jump to the B's bottom six. He can play both center and right wing and is likely to slot in on Boston's fourth line.
"I'm excited to get to Boston, probably sit down with the coaching staff and identify my role," said Lazar. "I'm at my best when I understand what's expected of me and I can go out there and do my job.
"I'm versatile, I can play center or I can play wing, up in the lineup. It's kind of what I do and what I bring. I'm excited to see what their vision is for me and where I can help out."