Fraser Minten lands a new role with the Boston Bruins
Photo credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
On Tuesday against the New York Islanders, Bruins forward Fraser Minten had a new role with the team.
Minten was bumped up to the top line with David Pastrnak and Marat Khusnutdinov as they trailed the Islanders 3-2 late in the third period.
To start the year, Minten has been a bottom-six beast for the Bruins but found himself on the top line with regulation coming to an end, but Marco Sturm put his trust in him, and it paid off.
From the corner, Pastrnak got the puck to Minten in the middle of the ice, where he got a shot off, Khusnutdinov picked up the rebound, scoring the tying goal with 4:54 remaining, and the Bruins went on to win in the shootout.
«It is good that Marco wants me out there at the end of a game where we need a goal. I think it's an area of my game where I want to contribute,» Minten said. «I'm not always the guy who is out there for that, but it was nice to be out there yesterday and have it be successful.»
Minten was a standout during training camp, but there was no guarantee that he was going to make the roster out of camp.
«He's a guy who had to learn how to play in this league. Yes, he played some games last year, but he came out really hot and kind of slowed down for a little bit,» Sturm said. «I think he was just processing everything - what's going on here, how do I have to play, when to go, when not. And now, he slowly gets it.»
This season, Minten has scored two goals and three assists for 5 points with the Bruins while averaging just 13:23 of ice time per night.
«Two-way hockey has always been my calling card and what I focus on. If you do that right, though, production does come with that,» Minten said. «You work on your shot as much as you can, your hands, your skills. So when you do get chances, you have the ability to put it in the net. But the main focus is the strong positional stuff, being responsible, moving my feet, playing hard. Being ready when chances do come.»
Sturm knew this line would work
Although no one saw this move coming, Sturm stated that it was not just a random decision.
«Sometimes it's my gut. But to tell you the truth, I knew that was coming,» Sturm said. «I just didn't know it was that early. Could we see it again? Absolutely. It just gives me another option, so that's good.»
Minten stated that he is just trying to stay level and embrace any opportunity he gets with the Bruins.
«I always try to have fun,» Minten said. «It's good to have the pressure and stuff - and there always is. It is the NHL. There are millions of people who want your job, so there's always some. But I think the more you can just enjoy and play hockey, the better you are going to do.»
Previously on Bruins Insider
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