Five Bruins players with a lot to prove entering 2022-23 NHL season
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Five Bruins players with a lot to prove entering 2022-23 season originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
The Boston Bruins begin training camp later this month, and there will be plenty of competition for ice time at pretty much every position.
This internal competition should be good for the Bruins, especially since the team has failed to integrate quality young talent into the NHL roster over the last few years.
There are plenty of veterans (and younger players with several years of NHL experience) under the microscope entering the new campaign, too. With that in mind, here are five Bruins players with a lot to prove entering the new season.
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Trent Frederic
Position: C
Age: 24
2021-22 Stats: 8 G, 10 A in 60 GP
Frederic has underwhelmed as a 2016 first-round pick. He’s a natural center but has mostly played wing with the Bruins given the team’s depth down the middle. While he did tally career highs in goals and assists last season, the Bruins still need a lot more offensive production if he’s going to remain in the lineup long term. Frederic appeared in four of the Bruins’ first-round playoff games against the Carolina Hurricanes and was held scoreless with zero shots on net.
Younger players and prospects such as Fabian Lysell, Johnny Beecher, Marc McLaughlin and Georgii Merkulov are all knocking on the door and will compete for ice time at the NHL level in training camp and the preseason.
Frederic has the potential to be a quality bottom-six forward capable of providing much-needed scoring depth, setting a physical tone each shift and agitating opponents. He has a classic power forward-type skill set. What holds him back sometimes are dumb penalties and inconsistent scoring.
Overall, the Bruins need more offense from Frederic if he’s going to become a valuable part of this team going forward. Reaching the 30-point mark next season would be a good target for him to set.
USA TODAY Sports
Craig Smith
Position: RW
Age: 32
2021-22 Stats: 16 G, 20 A in 64 GP
Smith…
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Source : yahoo
