Lucic has big things in mind
WILMINGTON - As the captain of his junior club, Milan Lucic can't help but think about his team, which opened regular-season play last night and opens at home next Saturday.
But as a big club wannabe, Lucic can't help but think about his own needs over those of the Vancouver Giants of the WHL.
"I'd rather be here," said Lucic, one of 34 players remaining in camp after the Bruins trimmed their ranks by 12 yesterday. "Obviously, it would be nice to be home for the home opener. But from a selfish standpoint, you want to do what's best for yourself."
Zach Hamill, Boston's 2007 first-round pick, was returned to his junior club (Everett Silvertips of the WHL), as was Brad Marchand (Val-d'Or of the QMJHL) and Andrew Bodnarchuk (Halifax of the QMJHL). Nine players were assigned to Providence: Byron Bitz, Sean Curry, Nate DiCasmirro, Matt Hendricks, Adam McQuaid, Pascal Pelletier, Wacey Rabbit, Jordan Sigalet, and T.J. Trevelyan.
The 19-year-old Lucic is the only remaining player in camp with junior eligibility. Lucic is not eligible to play in the AHL this season, although he can play a maximum of 10 games with the Bruins before being returned to his junior team.
That is, if he doesn't make the NHL.
"The way I look at it, you try and give them every possible reason not to send you down," he said. "You've got to make their decision tough. That was my whole focus coming into camp - to make the coaching staff's decision tough. Just have to keep playing my game to do that."
In the exhibition opener against the Islanders, Lucic played a checking role alongside Marchand and Glen Metropolit. The trio played with an edge, establishing the forecheck and creating offensive opportunities. In the third period, Lucic traded punches with Matthew Spiller and got in a few late shots once he pushed the defenseman down.
Today against Toronto at TD Banknorth Garden, Lucic will skate on Boston's No. 2 line with David Krejci and Phil Kessel.
"He's come over here having very little time off and established his presence," said coach Claude Julien, referring to Lucic's performance in the Canada-Russia amateur Super Series. "Not just in practice, but also in games. He seems to be a very focused individual who seems to be determined to want to stay here. If that's the case, we're certainly going to give him that look and that opportunity."
Other first-year notables to survive the second round of cuts were Vladimir Sobotka, Mikko Lehtonen, and Matt Hunwick.
"Some of the stuff that I liked was continuing to move the puck quickly," said Hunwick of his performance against the Islanders Tuesday. "Getting back, try and make good breakouts, good neutral-zone plays. Just have to continue to work on my gap control and defensive play."
Winging it
Kessel, a natural center, spent camp in the pivot until yesterday, when he was shifted to right wing.That's where he'll be today against the Maple Leafs.
"His outside speed and the burst that he's got are things that you look for in wingers," said Julien, although he noted it's too early to tell where Kessel might land. "The good thing about Phil is that he's versatile. There are times during the season when there are injuries and you need guys at different positions. I certainly consider him for those situations."
Kessel, while centering Hendricks and Glen Murray Thursday against New Jersey, puckhandled smoothly in open ice, leading the team with four shots. But with Marc Savard, Patrice Bergeron, and Krejci candidates for the pivot, Kessel might be a better option at wing.
"He's got a lot of skills," said Julien. "He's got great speed, a good shot. If he can fine-tune his game in the little areas that make a difference, he's going to be that much better. As he gets older and gets more experience in this league, he's got an opportunity to become an elite hockey player. That will be determined by him."
Changing on the fly
Metropolit and Petteri Nokelainen, who have spent most of camp at center, shifted to the wings. Metropolit will be the left wing today alongside Nate Thompson and Shawn Thornton, while Nokelainen will be the right wing on a line with Jeff Hoggan and Mark Mowers. "I don't mind," said Nokelainen. "I've been playing both. There are some different things you have to do when you're a center or wing. But as long as I'm playing, I don't care where it is." . . . Today will be the first game action for Thompson and Mowers . . . After playing half of Thursday's 3-0 loss, Manny Fernandez stayed off the ice yesterday . . . Brandon Bochenski, who played with Bergeron and Marco Sturm Thursday, will have different linemates today. Bochenski will skate with Savard and Peter Schaefer on the top line. The Bruins are taking a look at Bochenski to determine if he can be a right wing on one of the top two lines . . . Julien on Marchand and Hamill: "Marchand made big strides from last year to this year. It's all about maturing, getting bigger, stronger, and also more comfortable playing at this level. Hamill was at his first camp. He's a guy that can certainly put points on the board. He came into his first experience at a pro camp, and I thought he did well. There's no doubt he's going back, because he's still got a lot to get better with. But he's had a good camp as well. We just need to get him back to his team so they can get off to a good start."Fluto Shinzawa can be reached at FShinzawa@globe.com. 