Boston Bruins: How Don Sweeney recruited talented winger Robert Lantosi

The Boston Bruins have put a big emphasis on depth, as seen with their recent recruits to the Providence Bruins, including Slovakian winger, Robert Lantosi.

The biggest emphasis from the General Manager Don Sweeney has always been on the depth chart. You can never have enough depth, that’s the strategy of Sweeney leading the Boston Bruins organization from the front office. No doubt that was his thinking when recruiting the recent influx of AHL talent, Robert Lantosi among them.

The Bruins signed six different players to the AHL level on Monday. One would say that there is nothing special to that; and it might be just that way for sure. But the Boston Bruins took a low-risk and gave the opportunity to some very exciting and young players.

Just yesterday, we took a look at Samuel Asselin and what he can bring to the Bruins organization, today we continue with taking a closer look and how Bruce Cassidy ‘drafted’ Robert Lantosi.

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Lantosi is not a typical young player from North America; he will make his first appearance in the rinks of North America in September and can play his first competitive game there later in October with the Providence Bruins.

Of course, he has already tasted the rinks in Canada representing Slovakia, and actually being successful with the bronze medals in 2015 at the World Juniors, played at the Bell Centre in Montreal.

The 23-year-old forward perfectly knows his position:

"“I will get my chance to make the first team in Boston. But most likely not in the first season. Firstly, I have to adapt and get to see whether I have a chance to fight for the roster spot.  However, one just never know,” – Robert Lantosi (cas.sk – in Slovakian)"

Actually, it hasn’t been just a few days since the young Slovak has put his name on the contract offered. “All the buzz started after the World Championship, when a few teams reached out to me. But only after a few weeks the Bruins offered me a contract and I had no doubts,” said Lantosi. The one making the very first contact with the Slovak was the Boston Bruins GM himself.

“Yes, it was the Boston Bruins General Manager, Don Sweeney, who reached out to me. He just told me his idea and his proposal towards me. He was pretty straightforward with what he expects from me. That’s not a chance I get every day and so I accepted,” described young Lantosi.

In the past season, Lantosi collected an impressive 58 points in the Slovakian League and also contributed with two assists at the World Championship playing for Slovakia in their home tournament. Playing at this level, he has already started to generate interest from the people close to the NHL:

“I was surprised that some Canadian guys compared my style of hockey to the one of Patrick Kane. That was a very nice reference for sure,” said a surprised Lantosi.

The Bruins know exactly what they expect from Lantosi. Last year, the Boston Bruins signed Martin Bakos to a one-year two-way deal. With the two-way implication, the Slovakian forward believed he might get a chance. Once he got injured in the Training Camp, his chances were shattered.

Later on, Bakos gave up and returned to Europe to play for Sochi in the KHL. Lantosi will weigh his chances but looks to stay more persistent. “I know I cannot impress in two or three games. I have to work continuously at a very high level to get my chance. And I will work that hard to convince people there,” commented Lantosi.

Why the Boston Bruins and Don Sweeney ended up picking up the phone and contacting Lantosi?

“They told me that I am a good skater and have very good speed. That was a relief for them because they were keen on focusing on stuff like strengthening and being heavier. I will be in the Training Camp in September and that’s the best time and place where to get a realistic look at what I can really deliver,” revealed Lantosi.

The Boston Bruins currently have three Slovaks on their roster – Zdeno Chara, Jaroslav Halak, and Peter Cehlarik.

“I have not talked to anybody yet, I will reach out to Peter Cehlarik and chat with him,” Robert Lantosi told the Slovak press.

“I have previously spoken with Andrej Sekera, who certainly recommended me playing in the AHL. For him, it was the funnest part of his overseas career. I am definitely looking forward to the challenge,” stated Lantosi, who is well aware of the AHL reality.

While continue demonstrating his speed and skills, he wills to work on his strength and heavy style of play to simply survive. “I will work as hard as I can, but let’s talk about the results from all this in a year or two,” concluded Lantosi. After the big deal of signing, a lot of hard work is next for Robert Lantosi.