Bruins
“I read everything. It’s probably unlike most people. But I know what’s said.”
After wrapping up their second preseason game at TD Garden on Tuesday, the Bruins returned to Warrior Ice Arena Wednesday for another pair of fast-paced practices.
It was an eventful session in Brighton. Brad Marchand rejoined Boston’s full-squad skates for the first time in camp as Boston prepares for another preseason matchup on Thursday against the Rangers.
Here are a few takeaways from Boston’s latest training-camp skates:
Morgan Geekie ready to make a push for top-6 reps
Tuning out the outside noise is often a prudent form of self-preservation for most pro athletes.
Be it social-media venom, criticism doled out over the airwaves, or blunt critiques put into print, players have several pitfalls to avoid when the confidence in their craft is slipping.
But count Morgan Geekie among those who views that commentary as a positive avenue to spur his own game.
“I read everything. It’s probably unlike most people. But I know what’s said,” Geekie said Wednesday. “I use it as a little motivation. So it’s good. It’s lots of fun, fun to look at when you know you’re lacking confidence, it’s fun to prove people wrong.”
Geekie has developed quite the track record of dispelling any preconceived notion about his ceiling in the NHL ranks.
After averaging just 10:27 of ice time per game with the Seattle Kraken during the 2022-23 season, Geekie was given an opportunity to showcase his versatility in an elevated role with Boston.
A last-second addition to the free-agent market in 2023 after the Kraken chose to not extend him a qualifying offer, Geekie became a valuable Swiss Army Knife in Jim Montgomery’s system — logging 15:25 of ice time over 76 games with Boston.
He rewarded Boston’s faith in him by scoring a career-best 17 goals and 39 points, eventually earning top-six reps for the Bruins during their playoff series against the Panthers.
The free-agent addition of Elias Lindholm and the presence of Charlie Coyle likely means that Geekie won’t be vying for top-six reps down the middle in 2024-25.
But with Jake DeBrusk’s offseason departure creating a sizable top-six vacancy on the wing, Geekie feels as though he’s ready to make a significant push for a spot on a line next to Coyle and Brad Marchand.
“I think last year, I took a step — played up in the lineup,” Geekie said. “I know that some people weren’t happy about that, but I felt that I was somebody that could fit in anywhere, and I think I can still do that.
“So I’m just trying to come in every day and earn my spot. And I know I can play with [Coyle] and Marshy. In spite of what reports say, I think I’m a skilled player. So, I’m just trying to go out there and grow my game.”
Geekie will face plenty of competition in his pursuit of steady top-six minutes, especially with youngsters like Fabian Lysell and Matt Poitras also making a push. But Geekie — who just turned 26 in July — received an endorsement from Marchand on Wednesday as he tries to entrench himself in that top-six spot.
“I love playing with Geeks. He’s so great in so many areas, the way he can hold on to pucks and make plays, great in the corners,” Marchand noted. “So I think he really complements our line well. … I’m sure you’ll see another big step from him this year.”
Geekie was slotted all over Boston’s lineup last season, spending a majority of his time on the third line next to Trent Frederic (398:57 of 5-on-5 ice time together).
But the Strathclair, Manitoba native’s solid two-way game, physicality (137 hits), sharp wrist shot, and tenacious play on the board does paint the picture of a skater who could elevate a two-way, puck-possession line anchored by Marchand and Coyle.
Regardless of where exactly Geekie lands on the depth chart on Oct. 8, Geekie feels confident that his breakthrough showing in 2023-24 is only just the beginning.
“I’m not taking it for granted, for sure,” Geekie said. “I think it’s fun, good competition, and everybody’s vying for a spot, but I’m just trying to come in every day and work to get a little bit better. And whoever that’s going to be with — that’s not my decision. I’m just here to play and do the best I can.”
Marchand sheds non-contact sweater
For the first time since training camp opened last Thursday, Marchand took part in a full-squad skate while donning a regular practice sweater.
The Bruins’ captain, who underwent three offseason surgeries, was expected to be a bit behind his teammates as far as his preseason ramp-up and overall conditioning. But the 36-year-old wing looked no worse for wear on Wednesday while skating with Geekie and Coyle.
“It feels good to go out there without a non-contact jersey and be part of full practice,” Marchand said. “Hopefully as things progress here, get into a couple of games by the end of camp and feel good for the season.”
Even though he’s a few days behind his teammates in terms of on-ice reps, Marchand feels as though his conditioning is already well beyond where it was just a few weeks ago.
“I love being out there,” Marchand said. “And I think one of the biggest things about our group is we’re competitive in practice and tempos are usually high, especially in battle drills and in the compete drills, that’s where you want to show up.
“There are always times in practice where maybe you’re a little sore or tired and you’re just trying to be clean in your reps. But in the compete drills, it’s where we all want to step up and it just seems like Monty’s doing a good job integrating them at the right time. But I think we’re all excited to go out there and get closer to the season.”
Despite Marchand’s return, there were several notable absences. Both Elias Lindholm and Max Jones did not skate once again while nursing nagging injuries. Justin Brazeau also took a maintenance day after playing Tuesday.
Jim Montgomery stressed that Boston should have a full squad back on the ice by next week.
“There’s nothing serious. … It’s just a little bit of time, and we’re being a little bit cautious,” Montgomery said of Boston’s banged-up skaters. “We hope to get a couple guys back, hopefully by Saturday. But next week, everybody that hasn’t been here at practice will be back for sure.”
Zadorov providing pace
The Bruins handed Nikita Zadorov a six-year, $30 million contract this offseason to be a punishing force out on the ice.
But don’t pigeonhole the 6-foot-6 defenseman as a slow-moving monolith on his shifts.
The 29-year-old Zadorov has regularly stood out during practices with his skating and edge work, especially when retrieving pucks or gliding through the neutral zone.
Make no mistake: Zadorov’s greatest value lies in his willingness to use his 250-pound frame to pound skaters into the glass and clear opponents out of Grade-A ice.
But the Bruins’ free-agent pickup is looking like a strong addition to what should be a dynamic D corps grouping this season.
“My physical game is not going to go away. That’s why I’m in the league,” Zadorov said. “That’s why people pay me money. … I mean, I scored 14 goals two years ago, all five-on-five. So I have that touch.
“If I get a chance, I’m going to shoot the puck. If I get a chance to make an assist, I can assist. I’m not a Cale Makar. … But I know my strengths.”
Lineup Report
Here’s a look at the lines from Wednesday’s two practices:
GROUP A
Lettieri-Zacha-Pastrnak
Marchand-Coyle-Geekie
Kastelic-Beecher-Duran
Kuntar-Farinacci-Koepke
Zadorov-McAvoy
Lohrei-Peeke
Wotherspoon-Brunet
Millman-Mast
Bussi
Maier
Kaskisuo
GROUP B
Harrison-Frederic-Poitras
Johnson-Merkulov-Lysell
Tufte-Nelson-Brown
Abate-Mechura-McLaughlin
Lindholm-Carlo
Callahan-Mitchell
Oesterle-Sweezey
Edward-Bavaro
Korpisalo
DiPietro
Bischel
Loose Pucks
Defenseman Jackson Edward took part in Wednesday’s practice while wearing a red, non-contact sweater. He was banged up during the Prospects Challenge in Buffalo earlier this month.
Montgomery expects more veterans to make their preseason debut Thursday, including Zadorov, Charlie McAvoy, and David Pastrnak.
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