China Notebook: Trip Will Make for Unique Preseason

BOLTON, Mass. - Since he took over behind the bench in February 2017, Bruce Cassidy has helped the Bruins achieve their fair share of success. The 53-year-old has led Boston to a 68-28-13 record and two postseason appearances, while helping to provide opportunity for the Black & Gold's bevy of young players
Despite his impressive accomplishments, Cassidy is not, in fact, a superhero.

Thus, he will not have the fortune of being in two places at once - a detail that will make his job quite interesting this fall as he tries to evaluate what his lineup should look like come Opening Night, while his team is split in two for its journey across the world to play in the 2018 O.R.G. NHL China Games.
"I lose two games of viewing for guys that are not going to China. You lose watching them in practice, so it does complicate [things]. It's 10 days," Cassidy said before Tuesday's Boston Bruins Foundation Golf Tournament at The International.
"Now that's why [assistant coach] Joe [Sacco] is staying behind. We trust his judgment. He'll give us updates. We can watch the games, it's just you can't be in two places at once that's just the reality of it."

Boston's training camp rosters were revealed on Tuesday evening, providing a clearer picture of what players Cassidy will be able to keep a closer eye on. And it appears that he'll have a front-row seat for one of the most intriguing roster battles heading into the 2018-19 campaign.
With the departure of Riley Nash to the Columbus Blue Jackets in free agency, the Bruins' third-line center position has been left vacant, opening up the possibility that one of Boston's young pivots seizes this job. The three youngest candidates for the role - Trent Frederic (20), Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson (21), and Jack Studnicka (19) - will all travel to China, allowing Cassidy a chance to evaluate them on an individual basis.
"This is truly an evaluation," said Cassidy. "The guys that can step up at this camp amongst their peers probably have a much better shot. It's not like it used to be where you have five weeks to look at them. We're going to China, so some of the young guys we won't even see until we get back, so this is really important for those young guys to separate themselves and that's why there's a little more, probably, importance on it than other years."
Bruins general manager Don Sweeney acknowledged late last month the difficulties that the trip presents, but also pointed to the positive team-building aspects that can come from it. Boston's last preseason trip outside of North America came in 2010 - a visit to Northern Ireland and the Czech Republic - that preceded the Bruins' Stanley Cup championship campaign.
"It's going to be difficult," Sweeney said during the team's Fan Fest Tour. "We've spoken to Vancouver and L.A., they both went through it last year. It's a unique experience and opportunity and the team did a trip to Prague [in 2011] that they utilized effectively going into the course of the season.
"There's a team-building aspect to it. There's some players back here that need to do the same thing, bring along some guys that might feel left out not being over in China and players over in China feeling like, 'Oh, you know, they haven't accomplished anything.'
"But it's a nice experience and exposure to what's a possibility and reality for them if they put the work in."

For free-agent signings John Moore, Jaroslav Halak, Joakim Nordstrom, and Chris Wagner - all of whom will make the trek - the trip comes at a perfect time for them to bond with and get to know their new teammates.
"Being a new guy - I'm sure some of the guys are rolling their eyes at a 15-hour flight - but [it's] a good chance for me to meet the guys and spend some time with them," said Moore, who was signed to a five-year contract on July 1. "We've got training camp, and throw in the fact that we're all in the same boat in a foreign country, it should be fun.
"I'm sure we'll be doing a lot of stuff off the ice and away from the rink and it will be a great opportunity for me to spend some time with the guys."
One of those activities away from the rink will be a visit to The Great Wall of China, an aspect of the trip that many of the players are looking forward to.
"I'm excited, but I don't really know what to expect," said Krejci. "I do look forward to those hockey games and seeing how passionate their fans are about hockey and how they understand it. It will be interesting to see The Great Wall of China - I guess that's my No. 1 thing to see away from the rink."

Chara, Bergeron Not Traveling

Among those not traveling for the trip to China are Zdeno Chara, Patrice Bergeron, Torey Krug, Noel Acciari, Danton Heinen, and Sean Kuraly. Bergeron (groin surgery), Krug (fractured left ankle), and Acciari (groin surgery) are expected to be ready for Opening Night, but will remain in Boston to make sure that their rehab schedules are uninterrupted.
Heinen and Kuraly have been excused from the trip after traveling to China this past summer for Bruins Global. Chara, meanwhile, has also been excused from the trip.
"I've never been. Of course, it's one of those things I'd love to explore someday, but at this point I'm fine with staying back and focusing on having a good training camp and getting ready for the season," said Chara.

Traveling Man

Krug, who traveled to China during the summer of 2017, had some advice for his teammates who will be visiting the country for the first time.
"Just enjoy the culture, be open-minded, enjoy the history," said Krug. "It really puts into perspective how young of a country we are over here. Just enjoy it… they've got a great thing going out there in trying to grow the sport. A lot of excited kids and great skill level as well - they're not that far behind what we've got going on here."

Expected China Roster

Forwards: David Backes, Martin Bakos, Peter Cehlarik, Jake DeBrusk, Ryan Donato, Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson, Trent Frederic, David Krejci, Brad Marchand, Joakim Nordstrom, David Pastrnak, Jack Studnicka, Jordan Szwarz, Chris Wagner
Defense: Brandon Carlo, Matt Grzelcyk, Charlie McAvoy, Adam McQuaid, Kevan Miller, John Moore, Urho Vaakanainen, Jakub Zboril
Goaltenders: Jaroslav Halak, Tuukka Rask
\Roster is subject to change without notice.*