By: Declan Flavin | Follow me on Twitter / X @FlavinDeclan
Everyone knows the elephant in the room about the Boston Bruins and what they’re missing from the old core of years past. A Patrice Bergeron doesn’t seem to be walking in the door anytime soon.
Judging from what a player like Elias Lindholm has put forth production wise as well, it only seems like the team will regress at the center position. Management somewhat realizes this, only with more optimism that the fix could come from the youth at the position, though their further development suggests a comfier secondary role.
“Once [Minten] figures that out, like every player does over time, or most players do over time. I think he’s going to grow and continue to grow. Whether they either become number one centers is up to them… We want to give these guys every opportunity to take a job that’s staring at them.” -Bruins’ President Cam Neely on Fraser Minten and James Hagens working to be a primary center, via BOSHockeyNow’s Jack Studley
After flat out stating that Minten and Hagens have the skill set to be the team’s go-to center, Neely delivered those words above, which ultimately showed as an offering of the baton to the youth movement. Rather than profoundly committing to a search for outside help or otherwise, this strikes as a rather bigger risk than people may have thought.
These centers the team will roll forward with as part of their big plans need crucial improvement on the same side of the ice. Minten has to develop some type of individual sharpshooting ability to round out his offensive prowess, while someone like Hagens has to strengthen himself to withstand defenders and continue to work at his skating to pose as a threat off the rush.
Although the Bruins and many organizations across sports want to believe this type of development happens with time, it’s not always the case. The role in which the players are in while developing such skills usually emerges as a fateful dynamic.
Relying and depending on Minten and Hagens to play on higher lines and turn different switches on in their game reeks of heavy pressure and commitment in what would be around a two year plan of wait-and-see. Management could easily be playing ball in the media for younger players’ confidence, but star players like David Pastrnak along with the fanbase have to hope so, because the franchise has waited long enough for high-end impact at the position.
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