Goucher: Dougie Hamilton Playing With A Lot Of Confidence
BOSTON (CBS) - The voice of the Boston Bruins Dave Goucher called in to 98.5 The Sports Hub Friday morning to discuss the Bruins' 2014-2015 season with Andy Gresh and Scott Zolak, which gets underway Wednesday night at home against the Philadelphia Flyers.
With the Bruins season less than a week away, the pressure is on them to fill in the holes and make the final cuts. General manager Peter Chiarelli filled two voids last week when he resigned defenseman Torey Krug and forward Reilly Smith, both to one-year contracts.
"They came in in great shape. It's one thing to skate on your own like they did in Connecticut and another to practice with your teammates. But I expect to see them at one of these next preseason games over the next two nights. I think it's dangerous to see these young players miss that many days of training camp, but the impact they had last year, especially on power play, it's vital to have them back," explained Goucher.
With Krug and Smith back, there are other situations that need to be addressed.
"It's been interesting, they haven't had a camp like this in a long time," said Goucher. "There are some hard decisions that need to be made and some jobs to be won. Unlike many years they have some spots for some players to make the team."
The first line is shaping up to be Lucic-Krejci-Eriksson, which has a lot of production to replace after Jarome Iginla elected to take a three-year deal to play for Colorado, something the Bruins weren't able to offer him due to salary cap trouble.
With Adam McQuaid and Dennis Seidenberg both healthy, there's been a glut of defensemen in the preseason, and many see Johnny Boychuk -- an unrestricted free agent after the season -- as a way to free up some cap space.
Goucher strongly believes that even though it makes sense financially, with what Boychuk brings to the table it would be a shame to see him go.
One defenseman with roster security is Dougie Hamilton, the third-year pro primed to take that next step and build off his strong postseason play.
"[Hamilton] is playing with a lot of confidence. Coach has been looking for a guy like him for a long time, his ability to skate and move the puck up and down the ice, his vision, his size, I think he's poised [to break out]," said Goucher.
Listen below for the full discussion!
MORE BRUINS COVERAGE FROM CBS BOSTON
