Bruins Rookie Camp Gives Will Zellers Chance To Accelerate Rise originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
James Hagens will attract most of the attention when Boston Bruins rookie camp begins Friday at Warrior Ice Arena.
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Will Zellers should not be overlooked.
The Bruins open rookie camp with a 10:30 a.m. practice before traveling to Buffalo for the Prospects Showcase. Boston will play Pittsburgh on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. and Buffalo on Monday at 6 p.m., according to the team’s official camp announcement.
Zellers enters the weekend with an opportunity to demonstrate that his speed and offensive instincts can translate against stronger competition.
Boston acquired Zellers from Colorado in the Charlie Coyle trade. The 20-year-old forward immediately became one of the more compelling players in a Bruins prospect system that needed additional offensive upside. His ability to create in transition and finish scoring opportunities gives him a path to separating himself from the group.
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Rookie camp is not NHL training camp, and a strong weekend will not guarantee Zellers a roster spot.
It can influence how Boston’s staff views his development.
Prospect showcases are valuable because players compete against opponents at a similar stage. Zellers will receive opportunities with the puck that may be harder to find once established NHL players arrive for training camp.
The Bruins should want to see him attack rather than play cautiously.
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Boston has made a long-term commitment to Fraser Minten and added Hagens as a potential cornerstone.
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The next stage of the roster transition requires more young players to push for meaningful roles. A prospect system becomes useful only when its best players eventually create difficult decisions for the NHL coaching staff.
Zellers can begin that process in Buffalo. His most important task is not leading the showcase in goals. The Bruins will evaluate his decisions away from the puck, defensive effort and ability to remain effective when opponents reduce his available space.
Offensive skill will attract attention.
A complete performance will convince Boston that Zellers is moving closer to becoming more than an exciting name on a prospect list.
