What a great story Alex was last season. It’s his to tell one day, but a lot of perseverance, and many new hockey doors opened to him in the coming years. He’s a perfect example of how this CBA is aging-out good hockey players at younger ages. He could make a documentary about it at this point.
He was looking for this type of a situation, instead of the standard 2-way deals he’s been offered, to basically become an AHL veteran. He wanted that chance to be a team’s 12th, 13th, 14th forward, to spend the year in the NHL, making NHL money.
Last I heard he was talking to Vegas the most about a PTO. Hadn’t heard Boston, but it’s the same situation he was looking for. So good for him. If he makes it, he gets that opportunity he was after.. Way ahead of last year at this time.
He was a very unique player last season. Instead of being traded on “Deadline Day” he actually signed an NHL contract with Detroit that day. They needed warm bodies because of injuries and players traded at the deadline, and he had earned a ton of respect throughout last summer, being part of training sessions run in Michigan for NHL, former college/CHL players. Then accepting a deal from Horcoff to play in Grand Rapids as a mentor, after an injury messed up his PTO with Arizona…. All with no promises of an NHL contract. He did get it on Deadline Day though, and he didn’t disappoint.
He actually did better than most deadline day acquisitions… 6 goals and 9 points in 20 games. He gave Detroit something Boston is going to need some of. That net front presence on one of their PP units, and good play (down low) along the walls to maintain possession on the PP. They lost some of that this off-season, and he’s very good at both. He can also still give you an honest shift on the 4th line.
He’s the type of guy you root for. Hopefully he earns this shot in Boston. It’s actually a good fit for him.
Speculation: Offseason coaching thread: Should they stay or should they go?
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