Haula Believes Versatility is His Biggest Strength

BostonBruins.com - Last offseason, Erik Haula waited nearly two months into free agency before landing a one-year contract with the Nashville Predators. This time around, the veteran forward wasted no time.
Just hours after free agency opened on Wednesday afternoon, Haula signed a two-year contract with a $2.375 million annual cap hit with the Bruins.

"It's a unique process. It's always different for everybody. I just did it two years in a row basically," said Haula. "This year was a lot quicker, which I feel like most players prefer. It's not a good feeling waiting around. Boston was intriguing. It's a very good team. Always in the mix. A chance to win. Great culture, great city, great fans, so much positives. It was hard to overlook.
"Nashville had my rights. They got to talk to me first so there was conversations going on there. Ultimately those didn't work out and I was lucky to go into free agency and right off the bat get a team like Boston that was interested, that wanted me. It was a good feeling. Great team and something that I'm really excited to be a part of."
Haula already has some familiarity with the Bruins dressing room, having been teammates with both Charlie Coyle and Mike Reilly in Minnesota and the newly signed Tomas Nosek in Vegas.
"I didn't talk to them beforehand," said Haula. "You never know what can happen at the last minute, the last second…after the signing was done, I did reach out to Charlie before it was announced and said, 'Hey buddy, excited to be teammates again.' He gave some suggestions living-wise.
"It's a good feeling going to a team when you know somebody well and someone who can help you out right off the bat and even make you feel welcome. I talked to Mikey as well and I texted Nosey. Knowing a couple guys is good. Excited to meet the rest of the group and get acclimated."

Everything else you need to know about the new Bruins forward:
Last team:Nashville Predators
Position:Center
Height:6 feet
Weight:193 pounds
Shoots:Left
Birthday:March 4, 1992
Hometown:Pori, Finland
Twitter: @EHaula
Instagram: @EHaula
Miscellaneous:The 30-year-old played for the Nashville Predators last season, notching nine goals and 21 points in 51 games. Haula averaged 16:00 of ice time, including 1:29 on the power play and 2:00 on the penalty kill. He also led the Wild with a 55.1 faceoff win percentage.
"I feel like my natural position is at center. I think my strength is my versatility. In my career, I've played every single role up and down the lineup," Haula said when asked what he is most comfortable with. "Last year playing in Nashville and playing both the power play and the penalty kill, obviously for a player that's the best way because you're always in the game, you're never sitting during penalties or whatever it is. I feel like that's when you get into a flow of things."
Haula spent parts of nearly a decade in Minnesota, first with Shattuck-Saint Mary's School (2008-09), then the University of Minnesota (2010-13), and finally with the Wild (2013-170. The Finland native was drafted in the seventh round (182nd overall) by Minnesota in 2009.
The 6-foot, 193-pound left shot was then selected by the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft. Haula went on to have a career year during Vegas' inaugural season, collecting highs in goals (29), assists (26), points (55), and games played (76). He added nine points (three goals, six assists) in 20 playoff games.
"Obviously, every single player wants to be on the ice as much as possible. I think that was a good situation [in 2017-18]. I almost had 30 goals," said Haula. "That was a super fun year, playing on a good line and having that offensive mindset. I try not to think about those things too much yet about what's the best fit. It will be all about the team and I feel like those things will fall into place and go from there."
Haula spent one more season with the Golden Knights, playing just 15 games in 2018-19 after the Finland native suffered a serious and very rare - for a hockey player - knee injury in November 2018 that required surgery and ended his season.
"The injury was tough," said Haula. "It did take me a while to get back from it. I truly believe I found my game again last year and was able to be close to my best. That was very rewarding to me and made me happy. It was a struggle with that injury. But I am 100 percent confident now that I can take off the ground running and have a great full season."
Following a lengthy and grueling rehab process, Haula returned for the 2019-20 season and split time between Carolina and Florida (12 goals, 22 points in 48 games).
Scouting Report:The centerman provides the Bruins with depth down the middle and is a strong faceoff man who can support, among others, Trent Frederic, who is expected to transition back to center this season. Haula also brings a strong playoff resume to the group, having made the postseason every year of his career.
"I think you hit the nail on the head there with the versatility piece," Sweeney said in response to a question about Haula and fellow forward pick-up Tomas Nosek. "Both those guys have moved up the lineup and complemented those groups. They can play with better players, they can play down with their lines and drive their lines. They're both comfortable starting the defensive zone and, again, playing in two positions.
"But also…we play a little differently in the defensive ones. They're smart players, they'll be able to adapt to that and provide balance to our group and support the younger players. Trent Frederic, he's going to go in and play the middle of the ice this year and needs help, needs support. If one of these guys is on the ice with him, he can take draws. Curtis Lazar went through that last year in the middle of the ice.
"I think we have the ability to move some players around and a competition for them to play up in the lineup."