Haula Manning the Middle to Start Camp

2021 Boston Bruins Training Camp is presented by Plymouth Rock Assurance.
BOSTON - Erik Haula is looking for a little stability.
The 30-year-old has played for four teams over the past three seasons after putting up a career year with the Vegas Golden Knights during their magical inaugural campaign.
Some four years later, the Finland native hopes he can put down some roots in Boston after signing a two-year deal with the Bruins in July.
"That's always been the goal, settling in," said Haula. "I've been bouncing around a little bit - whatever the reason has been…it's been different reasons. I'm here as a Boston Bruin and I'm here to stay."

Haula collected 55 points and 29 goals - both career highs - in that memorable 2017-18 season but suffered a serious knee injury the following November that ended his year. Stops in Carolina and Florida followed, before the 6-foot, 193-pounder finally got back to feeling more like his old self last season when he notched 21 points in 51 games for Nashville.
Now, Haula is aiming to build on that rebound performance, while also establishing himself as a dependable piece of the Bruins lineup.
"It's been great. A great group as you all know," said Haula. "It's been really easy to come here. I've had a lot of fun the first couple days…I've tried to get to know everyone on the team as much as I can. Obviously as a new guy, it's on me and everybody to come together as quickly as possible, talk about random stuff, hockey, whatever it is, and just get accustomed to everyone."
Haula, a natural centerman, has manned the middle between Jake DeBrusk and fellow newcomer Nick Foligno during the first two days of camp, forming what very well could be Boston's new-look third line to start the year.
"My strength is being able to play everywhere…being in your natural spot is good," said Haula. "I'm sure things will change a lot and try different things and see what works best for the team. Whatever that is, I'll make sure to do my best to help the team win.
"We all have skill, we've all scored some goals in this league. We also take pride in our own end. Just trying to be an all-around good line, 200-foot line. We've got some skill to put the puck in the net as well and that's our goal. It's been fun the first couple days. I feel like we have a little bit of chemistry."

While all three players are left shots, Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy does not believe that will hinder their ability to be an effective unit.
"They would have to sort out passing angles and receiving passes forehand and backhand," said Cassidy. "The guy on the off side has to sort that out. [David] Krejci, [Blake] Wheeler, [Michael] Ryder did a pretty good job here a number of years ago, it was all righties. If you're smart enough, you'll figure out each other's strengths.
"That's kind of how that should play out if they're a line that's gonna have success. They're gonna have to read off each other there. It is a little unusual but not unheard of, I don't think. It could be a line. Right now, they're practicing, we want to take a look at it."

On the Nose

Cassidy has been pleased with what he's seen out of another newcomer and former Golden Knight, Tomas Nosek, thus far, complimenting the 6-foot-2, 205-pounder's pace as the centerman between Trent Frederic and Curtis Lazar.
"I think he gets around the ice well," said Cassidy, who received a strong report on Nosek from Vegas coach Pete DeBoer over the summer. "[DeBoer] loved him as a player and as a person, thought he'd really help any team that he's on…he seems like he's that guy, when his name is called, he's gonna go out there and try to help the team win."
Nosek notched a career-high 18 points and eight goals last season for the Golden Knights after getting bumped up to the third line midway through the year.
"I thought his numbers were under the radar good last year," said Cassidy. "It's nice to see a guy that could move up in the lineup if you have an injury from the fourth line and complement some skills guys and still do his job down there."
Nosek said that Frederic and Lazar are "very good guys and good hockey players. It's fun to play with them."

Wait, There's More

Friday's Line Combinations

GROUP A
FORWARDS
Taylor Hall - Jack Studnicka - Craig Smith
Jake DeBrusk - Erik Haula - Nick Foligno
Anton Blidh - Steven Fogarty - Chris Wagner
Samuel Asselin - Joonna Koppanen - Zach Senyshyn
Eduards Tralmaks - Oskar Steen - Karson Kuhlman
Charlie Coyle
DEFENSEMEN
Mike Reilly - Brandon Carlo
Noah Dorey - John Moore
Urho Vaakanainen - Tyler Lewington
Nick Wolff - Aaron Ness
GOALIES
Jeremy Swayman
Troy Grosenick
Callum Booth

GROUP B
FORWARDS
Brad Marchand - Patrice Bergeron - Jesper Froden
Trent Frederic - Tomas Nosek - Curtis Lazar
Jakub Lauko - Cameron Hughes - David Pastrnak
Matt Filipe - Curtis Hall - Fabian Lysell
Ian McKinnon - Brett Harrison - Alex-Olivier Voyer
DEFENSEMEN
Derek Forbort - Charlie McAvoy
Matt Grzelcyk - Connor Clifton
Jakub Zboril - Brady Lyle
Jack Ahcan - Ryan Mast
GOALIES
Linus Ullmark
Kyle Keyser
Jeremy Brodeur