A few other notes from a quiet Day 3 of training camp:
- Julien will coach the scrimmage from the bench.
- Of the Bruins’ four lines, the first line of left wing Milan Lucic, center David Krejci and right wing Nathan Horton is probably the biggest question mark at this point.
Horton hasn’t played in nearly a full year after suffering a concussion. Lucic didn’t play in the lockout and may take some time to regain his skill. Krejci was in the Czech Republic the last few months.
With the shortened season and each game taking on more importance, the line will have to quickly find its rhythm, or Julien — who has said he won’t be as patient as past years — may be forced to make a change.
“Unfortunately a lot will depend on them too as far as our success as a hockey club,†Julien said. “They’re one of our top lines and David is the one that’s played. Milan hasn’t played in the first half of the year, and Nathan hasn’t played in a year. Unfortunately we have to rely on those guys to find their game quickly. All I can say is every day in practice now they’re looking better and better.
- Julien added he didn’t think the fourth line of Daniel Paille, Gregory Campbell and Shawn Thornton wasn’t as good last year as the 2010-11 season.
“As far as Campbell’s line is concerned, I thought last year they weren’t as good as the year before,†Julien said. “They need to find that chemistry and that energy that they gave us, the positive energy that they gave our team. Maybe last year was tough because all three of those guys were obviously looking for new contracts and maybe they were pressing a little too much.
