When the puck drops on the Boston Bruins preseason schedule on Sunday at the TD Garden against the Washington Capitals, there are going to be a lot of eyes on some players for the Black and Gold. With just four preseason games this season, the chances to impress the coaching staff and earn a roster spot are going to be less than in previous seasons.
One player who needs to have a preseason where he opens some eyes is Alex Steeves. He is part of a mix of players in the bottom six who might find it hard to make the Opening Night roster. After practice on Saturday at Warrior Ice Arena and before the preseason opener against the Capitals, second-year coach Marco Sturm had a message for his forward.
Marco Sturm explains Alex Steeves path to making the roster out of camp
According to Jim McBride of the Boston Globe, there is one main way that Steeves can break camp in the NHL, rather than in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Providence Bruins.
“He brings a lot of energy. He played his best games [last season] when he played that way with energy, and also getting on the forecheck and getting first on pucks. When he doesn’t do it, then it’s going to be hard for him,” said Sturm. “So, I think doing that and being consistent, I think that was a little bit his challenge.”
Well now, there is a lot to break down there. Steeves has been with Mark Kastelic and Sean Kuraly in camp, but when the season begins, you have to assume that Tanner Jeannot will be the third player on that line. He's making the most money.
Steeves began in the AHL last season before coming up to Boston and surprising with some production. That earned him a payday from general manager Don Sweeney. Was it a bit of an overreaction, and maybe it could have waited until the summer? Yes, but now the Bruins have him locked up, and some decisions are looming.
Last season, Steeves had nine goals and seven assists in 43 games, but he was a healthy scratch a lot after securing his contract. That was a little concerning and makes you wonder if that flash of production is something that was just a flash last season. He's going to be looked upon to play a grinding role in the bottom-six and live up to what Sweeney is trying to do: make the Black and Gold a hard team to play against. We'll see where it leads for Steeves this camp when the dust settles.
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