Going into training camp, one thing the Boston Bruins have to figure out is a loaded position on defense, where 10 blueliners are looking to crack the roster, but one of them, Charlie McAvoy, is going to be suspended for the first six games of the season.
One of the players looking to make a quick impression in a short amount of time is youngster Frederic Brunet. Training camp is shorter this year, and the regular season starts on Sept. 29 against the New York Rangers at TD Garden.
Now, before we go any further, let's remember that reading too much into lineup decisions through the first couple of practices can be dangerous. That could be the case when it comes to Brunet, who has been paired with McAvoy for the first two days. After practice on Friday at Warrior Ice Arena, McAvoy was asked about Brunet and whether he reminds him of anyone he's played with. His comparison was Matt Grzelcyk.
“A leftie with some skill, so maybe it could be Grizzy (Grzelcyk). I think he’s a little taller than Grizzy, but he can move well. And from what I’ve seen these first couple of days, he’s good with the puck, he can make plays,'' McAvoy said, per Bridgette Proulx of WEEI.
Charlie McAvoy gives Frederic Brunet a Matt Grzelcyk comparison
Brunet is bigger than Grzelcyk, but we get the comparison, especially on the offensive side of things. A left-shot, Brunet has played really well over the last couple of seasons with the Providence Bruins in the American Hockey League (AHL), and first-year P-Bruins head coach Trent Whitfield endorsed Brunet earlier this summer.
However, when it comes to making the roster out of camp, it's going to be really close for Brunet. On the left side, the Bruins have some depth, but like Matthew Poitras, if Brunet is sent to the AHL, he must clear waivers, something that is not a 100% guarantee.
"I think he thinks the game at a really high level and offensively, I know he had some good performances down in Providence, so I think he has an offensive side,'” said McAvoy, per Proulx.
Brunet isn't going to blow you away with his game at either end of the ice, but he is what the Black and Gold are looking for in a defenseman, a physical presence that can play on a bottom pairing, but if moved up in the lineup, he can handle his own. He will get a shot in the preseason, and he needs to take advantage of that opportunity. If he does and comes close to living up to the comparison to Matt Grzelcyk, well, then the Black and Gold might actually have something in 2026-27.
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