Merkulov found himself centering the third line with James van Riemsdyk and Trent Frederic on the wings, leading to Danton Heinen's move to the fourth line alongside Johnny Beecher, Jakub Lauko, and Oskar Steen.
Montgomery, recognizing Merkulov's offensive prowess in the AHL, emphasized the importance of placing him in a conducive environment for his NHL debut. He highlighted the need to avoid overwhelming prospects by placing them on the first line.
In discussing Heinen's performance, Montgomery acknowledged the forward's contributions but acknowledged the demands of his current role.
Despite Heinen potentially deserving a higher placement, Montgomery emphasized the importance of each player embracing their designated role.
Reflecting on the recent win against the Buffalo Sabres, the top lines remained unchanged, with Charlie Coyle, Brad Marchand, and Jake DeBrusk proving effective. Montgomery hinted that these lines likely solidify Boston's top six forwards.
The Bruins, featuring Merkulov and the revamped lineup, are set to face the Devils at TD Garden on Saturday night at 7 p.m., offering an intriguing debut for the recently recalled forward.
As seen on nesn
POLL | ||
Do you think Merkulov will got top 6 minutes? | ||
Yes | 220 | 40.1 % |
No | 251 | 45.8 % |
He deserves it | 77 | 14.1 % |
List of polls |