The Boston Bruins will have a lot of people competing for a job on their fourth line this year. Veteran players like Chris Kelly and Maxime Talbot will be fighting hard just to keep a spot on the team this season. Zac Rinaldo will also be trying to prove that he can clean up his act and be a valuable contributor to a NHL team(not holding my breath here). With all the players battling just to make the squad, can Providence Bruins forward Brian Ferlin break through at camp and make the team?
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While Ferlin has been to training camp before, this is the first time he’ll be seriously playing for a NHL job.
Ferlin does have a few things in his favor. First, he’s not Zac Rinaldo. Second, he has the proper combination of size, speed, and grit to play in a fourth-line role for Boston. Next, he has a decent shot and the ability to produce the same amount of points for Boston that Chris Kelly does. Finally, Ferlin knows this is make-or-break time for him. This is his best chance to make the squad and that should make him hungry enough to legitimately challenge for a spot.
Ferlin did have an injury plagued season last year. L ast season, he put up 20 points(eleven goals) in 53 games for Providence. He was called up for seven games with Boston. While he only got one assist for Boston (last February against the Chicago Blackhawks), he showed an ability in getting to the front of the net(something that has been missing recently)and a willingness to be an offensively-minded fourth-line player.
While it has been a big change for Ferlin, who played three seasons for Cornell before coming to the Bruins organization. He’s been trying to prove to the Bruins that he can be a valueable asset to the club.
“It definitely was an adjustment,” said Ferlin of his transition from college to professional play. “You can’t get away with the things that you were able to get away with at the college level. You need to be fairly detailed in the really important areas along the boards, and get pucks deep in deep and not create turnovers. At the college level you could get away with some of that stuff, but not here.
“I think my game can translate well into different situations: being a big body I can play a physical style and control the puck down low, and that can bode well for role.”