Most players that participate in Bruins development camp are not old enough to drink legally. College and junior hockey players seek to impress teams during the week-long look that organizations have to evaluate and improve upon talent.
Martin Bakos is not one of those players.
Bakos, the recently signed 28-year-old Slovakian national, has played professional hockey in Europe for eight seasons.
"No," proclaimed Bakos when asked if he was a leader for the week at development camp. "Here it's just a couple young guys and me."
"He's been great," said Bruins director of player development Jamie Langenbrunner. "He's taken a group of Czech and Slovak guys and helped them out and given them someone to look up to. He's in there talking to Z [Zdeno Chara] right now, so maybe he needs to get out of babysitting a little bit, but he's been great. From the beginning of yesterday to the end of today, he's been on a steady climb up and hopefully that will continue the rest of this week."
Bakos' skill stands out in small area drills, where he patiently waits to find soft spots and then pounces when an opportunity arises. He can read the ice well and anticipate plays. It is important to notice Bakos' hockey intelligence as he makes the transition from a larger sheet of ice in Europe to a smaller once in the NHL. The 200-foot, narrower rink forces quicker decisions are more north/south action.
"In Europe, everybody has time for everything," said Bakos. "Here, you have to move the puck quickly, make quick decisions and follow the puck to the net. With a smaller rink, you have to be ready for a shot from anywhere. But I like it [laughs] and I'm pretty excited to be here."
Bakos has scored at least 10 goals every season since 2013-14. After beginning his career in the Slovakian league, Bakos played in the KHL for two seasons and the Czech league for three. During the 2016-17 season, Bakos was playing for Kremlin Red Star of the KHL when Pavel Datsyuk, his idol and the player he models his game after, picked the puck clean off of his stick. This turnover taught him about the importance of puck possession. Little plays like that can make all the difference in a game, and Bakos has improved on using his large frame to protect the puck, especially along the boards.
"He's good at it," said Langenbrunner, speaking about Bakos' ability to control the puck along the wall. "He knows how to use his body. That's one of those pro tendencies you can see the difference between the guys that have been in that realm and the younger guys who don't have to worry about that because of their skill or size or strength. He's got some of those tendencies that are very good."
Bakos went viral after juking a goaltender out of his jockstrap in a game for Slovakia versus France. He touched the puck between his legs, slid it back in front of his body, and elevated a backhand over the French goaltender. Most NHL players would be envious of the smooth hands necessarily to complete such a move.
"It was my second or third move of the shootout" said Bakos. "Coach said, hey you have to go again. I said 'okay, but I have to do something crazy, because the goalie knows me by now'. So I just did it and it was fun [laughs]."
Bakos emerged as a point scorer this past season for Bili Tygri Liberec of the Czech league, where he posted 40 points in 52 contests. His 26 assists were a career high, and he noted that his passing has improved dramatically. Bakos also scored 13 points in 21 games for Slovakia across all international competition this past season. His offensive breakthrough leads him to the NHL, where he hopes to compete for a roster spot come training camp.
Bakos has the experience necessary to handle a fast-paced NHL style of play. His skill level, while high, intrigues most because of how difficult it can be to translate European success to NHL level. However, as the Bruins look at signing John Tavares and potentially other free agents and test the trade waters, the roster certainly won't look the same as the one that almost won the Atlantic Division title. Bakos could grab a role in the bottom half of the forward group, or be given the opportunity to impress management with a strong showing in Providence.
Bakos has visited the United States just once prior and is using the week to help him adjust to American accents, which he struggles to comprehend. His understanding of the game on ice requires no translating, and Bakos has certainly acquired the attention of Bruins coaches and management.
