This pair knows the drill(s)

WILMINGTON -- "Lash! Lash! Lash!" came the shouts from Scott Gordon.

Yesterday morning, on the second day of the Bruins' development camp at Ristuccia Arena, the Providence coach was calling for defenseman Matt Lashoff to lead a drill.

The problem was, Lashoff, unbeknownst to Gordon, had left the ice.

Minutes earlier, the 20-year-old defenseman had collided with forward Martins Karsums, suffering a charley horse in his right leg. Lashoff tried to walk off the pain, but retired to the dressing room instead, finished with on-ice work for the day.

"Nothing serious," said Lashoff, "but that's one truck I don't want to run into," referring to the wide-shouldered Karsums.

It was no surprise Gordon had called on Lashoff to lead the drill. Of all the Boston hopefuls in the 26-player camp, Lashoff and fellow second-year pro David Krejci, the most experienced prospects at Ristuccia this week, project to make the strongest bids to break training camp with the parent club.

As the 2007-08 roster stands, the weakest area is defense. General manager Peter Chiarelli upgraded the goaltending by acquiring Manny Fernandez from the Minnesota Wild. But barring more moves, the defensive corps that allowed the second-worst goals-against average in the NHL last year will look similar this fall.

That fact alone should give a healthy Lashoff an opportunity to open eyes come September. Lashoff missed the entire 2006-07 AHL postseason after suffering a nerve injury in his neck during the regular-season finale. Lashoff said he can lean on players now on the ice, but he faces more restrictions in the weight room, where he can't perform lifts such as the shoulder press because of the injury.

However, Lashoff said he should be 100 percent by training camp, where he expects to put his skill set -- smooth skating, rushing the puck, a willingness to jump into the play -- to work. Lashoff showed flashes of his ability last year when he was recalled to Boston Oct. 25. He was paired with Zdeno Chara and skated 16:51 against the Montreal Canadiens in his NHL debut.

Lashoff appeared in 12 NHL games last season, scoring two assists and averaging 14:55 of ice time. While Dennis Wideman has a similar offensive-minded game and Mark Stuart provides a stay-at-home presence, Lashoff should challenge the two for a spot on the Boston blue line.

"The only reason to look back at them is from a learning standpoint," Lashoff said of his brief NHL experience. "I got them under my belt and it was a great thing. But that season's over with right now and what happened last year is over. I've got to turn over a new page and hopefully be up here for the full year and make the team out of camp."

Up front, much of Krejci's future depends on filling holes, and coach Claude Julien's philosophy. In 2006-07, after a so-so training camp, Krejci blossomed into an impact AHL playmaker, with 31 goals and 43 assists in 69 games for the P-Bruins. Director of player development Don Sweeney has singled out Krejci as one prospect whose development hit every checkpoint during the year.

Gordon said Krejci was the best forward in the league, and that he sometimes reminded him of Patrice Bergeron when the center played in Providence in 2004-05.

Yesterday, during four-on-four competition, Krejci and fellow Providence teammates Karsums and T.J. Trevelyan were far and away the most dangerous forwards, teaming with defenseman Adam McQuaid to form the most dominant unit of the afternoon session.

"That line's done for the rest of camp," kidded Sweeney. "I said to David that they need to set a great example for the rest of the guys. They have the experience. You can't trade that."

Krejci was used sparingly in Boston last year, appearing in six games and not scoring a point. He skated only 2:07 in his NHL debut Jan. 30, suffering a concussion when he was the victim of a late hit by Sabres forward Adam Mair.

Ex-coach Dave Lewis skated Krejci on the fourth line, keeping the 21-year-old from seeing the ice time he needs to display his playmaking abilities. While Krejci would require regular shifts in Boston, he's looking up at Bergeron, Marc Savard, and Phil Kessel on the depth chart.

Before starting his junior career with Gatineau of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Krejci played wing. However, he said he feels most comfortable at center, where he can handle the puck more often and take advantage of open ice. The Bruins could give Kessel a look at wing, opening up the third-line centerman position for Krejci and allowing the club to roll three scoring units.

In New Jersey, Julien had arguably the best checking line in the league in Jay Pandolfo, John Madden, and Sergei Brylin. But Julien acknowledged in the new NHL, the traditional deployment of third-line checkers may have changed.

"Look at Buffalo," Julien said. "There you could balance out the lines. Now in New Jersey, we had a solid checking line. So there's been success both ways. We need to identify our group, then make our decision based on that."

Krejci said he'd like to get quicker and stronger as he progresses toward the NHL. But Karsums thinks his teammate is ready for the big time.

"He's an unbelievable playmaker," said Karsums. "He can put the puck in the net and he sees the ice incredibly. He can play in the NHL next year. For sure."

Fluto Shinzawa can be reached at FShinzawa@globe.com.