The Bruins activated defenseman Matt Grzelcyk off long-term injured reserve Saturday. He is in the lineup for Saturday afternoon’s matchup with the red-hot New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.
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That move necessitated a couple other moves in order for Boston to be cap-compliant. Those moves: 22-year-old rookie defenseman Mason Lohrei and veteran forward Patrick Brown have been sent down to AHL Providence. That leaves the Bruins with 13 forwards, seven defensemen and two goalies on their active roster.
Lohrei getting sent down wasn’t necessarily a foregone conclusion, but it makes sense for a lot of reasons. First and foremost, Lohrei clearly still has some developing to do.
His upside is undeniable, and the skills that he has flashed at times during his first 10 NHL games are tantalizing. Lohrei is 6-foot-5 and has the skating and reach to cover a lot of ground, whether he’s defending or attacking. His hands, vision and playmaking instincts make him an offensive weapon.
Lohrei has a goal, three assists and 17 shots on goal in his 10 games. On a per-60-minute basis, he has the most individual 5-on-5 scoring chances of any Bruins defenseman.
It is on defense where Lohrei’s work in the AHL will be focused. His defensive-zone coverage has not always been up to code. He has been caught flat-footed at the offensive blue line more than once, struggling to make decisions on whether to pinch or fall back at NHL speed. Using his size to win 1-on-1 battles remains a work-in-progress.
The Bruins have given up more goals and expected goals per 60 with Lohrei on the ice than any other defenseman. He has been on the ice for 11 of the 16 5-on-5 goals the Bruins have allowed since he got called up. He is the only Bruins defenseman who has been on the ice for more 5-on-5 goals against (11) than for (7).
Bruins coach Jim Montgomery has, at times, not trusted Lohrei enough to play him regular shifts in the third period of close games, especially if Boston is protecting a lead. The rookie has hardly been used at all on the power play or penalty kill.
Lohrei projects as an all-situations defenseman long-term. He can and will play in all situations in Providence, where he can also work on his defense and make mistakes away from the spotlight that comes with playing on a team atop the NHL standings.
“Just continue your develop. You’re a big part of our future,” Montgomery said when asked what his message was to Lohrei. “The situation the way it is, he has to grow his game so when he gets back up here, he’s a full-time player.
“You have to be firmer,” Montgomery added. “As many plays as he makes with the puck, he has to make more plays without the puck just to be able to round out his game. People don’t realize he’s only been a defenseman since I think he was 17. There’s tricks of the trade that are hard to learn in the NHL.”
The other factor here is that none of the Bruins’ other seven defensemen have played themselves out of an NHL roster spot. On the left side, where Lohrei plays, Grzelcyk was playing well before getting hurt. Derek Forbort has been solid on the third pairing and a key part of the league’s No. 1 penalty kill. Hampus Lindholm is locked in.
On the right side, Ian Mitchell is emerging as a little bit more than just the seventh defenseman, challenging veteran Kevin Shattenkirk for playing time on the third pairing. Mitchell is in over Shattenkirk for a second straight game Saturday, with Montgomery noting that he wants to see Shattenkirk play faster than he has been.