Jim Montgomery expects Bruins stars To be hit less with Milan Lucic return
When the Bruins signed Milan Lucic to a one-year deal in July, it was clear he wasn't just coming back for a farewell tour.
Lucic, at 35 years old, believes he's got plenty of hockey left, and Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery is on the same page.
Montgomery shared his thoughts on Lucic's return ahead of the Boston Bruins Foundation's annual golf tournament.
Montgomery expressed,
"I think (David Pastrnak) won't get hit as much, (Brad Marchand) won't get hit as much because Looch is in the lineup. But I'm still gonna want Looch to be a person that decides momentum in games... making a big hit or getting to the net front — very similar things that (Nick) Foligno did for us. But probably because of his history here, carry more weight within that role."
Lucic was a fan favorite known for delivering hard-hitting plays and never shying away from a fight. In his time in Boston, he logged 55 fights and contributed 139 goals and 203 assists in 566 games for the Bruins.
As the camp approaches, Montgomery faces the challenge of finalizing the Bruins' lineup. While the top six players are set, the bottom six is still a work in progress.
He remarked,
"There's no doubt there are way more jobs that are open... And I do think that we are all hoping that there's going to be pleasant surprises that are going to make the team — kind of like (Jakub) Lauko did and A.J. Greer did out of camp last year."
With the retirement of key players and departures, the Bruins have a mix of new additions and returning forwards competing for spots.
Montgomery emphasized the need for players who can make an impact and embrace their roles to help the team win.
Additionally, Montgomery is expected to name a new assistant coach soon due to John Gruden's departure.
Despite the changes, he has confidence in his coaching staff to guide the Bruins in the upcoming season.
Source: Nesn
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 16 | 41 ANSWERS Jim Montgomery expects Bruins stars To be hit less with Milan Lucic return Do you think Milan Lucic's return to the Bruins lineup will have a positive impact on the team's performance this season? | ||
| Yes | 40 | 97.6 % |
| No | 1 | 2.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
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