Kuhlman Gets the Call

ANAHEIM, Calif. - Karson Kuhlman's first full professional season did not get off to the strongest of starts. The 23-year-old, fresh off leading Minnesota Duluth to the National Championship last spring, went without a goal for his first 14 games with the Providence Bruins.
But Kuhlman, who suited up for three games with the P-Bruins at the end of last season after signing a two-year contract with Boston, was not deterred. And in the 19 games since the Christmas break, he notched nine goals and seven assists.
That run of success - which included a two-goal output on Saturday night against Syracuse - coincided with the Bruins' need for a forward following the injury to David Pastrnak over the weekend, opening up an opportunity for last year's NCAA Tournament MVP.

"Karson was a name that was brought up…has played really well in Providence, so that's what we tend to do, unless we're really specific on a position, we reward the best player and that's who they recommended and here he is," said Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy, noting that Kuhlman is likely to make his NHL debut on Saturday night in Los Angeles as he opts to keep his lineup the same for the road trip opener on Friday against the Anaheim Ducks.
Kuhlman, who served as captain of the Bulldogs' National Championship team, is generally known for his energetic style and responsible, 200-foot game. And while Kuhlman's offense has progressed in recent weeks, Cassidy expects that at the outset, the 5-foot-11, 190-pound right shot will rely on his strengths.
"Some guys they just morph into [more of a scorer]," said Cassidy. "He scored a little bit in college - I wouldn't call him a scorer, but he chipped in. In Providence, it's worked out the same way. I think he's starting to figure it out a little more, the offensive side of it, scored more lately in different ways.
"But essentially the constants have been his ability to hunt pucks, make good plays with it, responsible plays, kill penalties, defends really well, helps your team win. We'll see where that works out for us."

Kuhlman, who at the time of his recall was fifth on the P-Bruins in scoring (12-13-25) and sixth in the AHL with an impressive plus-22 rating, credited his midseason turnaround with a change in mindset.
"Just got to relax, trust the guys around you," Kuhlman said of what he's learned in Providence. "There's so many good players down there, as well as all over the league, too. Just got to trust your teammates that they're gonna get you pucks in the right spots. I think that's the biggest part.
"Saw a couple pucks go in the net and that helps with confidence and it kind of continues from there."
During Thursday's practice in Anaheim, Kuhlman skated primarily on a line with Joakim Nordstrom, Trent Frederic, and David Backes, taking reps at both center and right wing.
"I'm trying to be consistent," said Kuhlman. "That's a big part of my game is the 200-foot game, come every day and do my job. I think that's what I can bring to the team and that's what I look forward to doing."

Getting Away

The Bruins are in the midst of their longest road trip of the season, a five-game, 11-day voyage through California, Las Vegas, and St. Louis. Following a stretch of 13 out of 18 at TD Garden - during which they went 8-2-3 on Causeway Street - the trip comes at a critical time of the season, during which some bonding time can pay dividends.
"I think it's important for us," said Cassidy, whose team enters the road swing as winners of three straight and five of six overall, to go along with an eight-game points streak (5-0-3).
"We had a long stretch at home. I think we needed it, between the guys that were in China and then we had a lot of road games, I believe it was November, had the Winter Classic…for us to get home and get our feet on the ground was good, both personally to spend time with your family and then to enjoy the comforts of home and then win - we were able to do that, for the most part."
"Now getting out on the road is good timing for us. We're playing well, so it's always nice to get on the road when you're playing well. And I think the guys can use a little time together. We've got a few new faces. Just happened to work out well for us, the timing, so hopefully we're up for it."

Grzelcyk Skates

Matt Grzelcyk skated in full for the first time since a lower-body injury sidelined him for the last three games. The blueliner will not play on Friday night against the Ducks, but is likely to return on Saturday in Los Angeles.
"Felt good, it was obviously fun to rejoin the group there. It's been a couple days, but feels a lot longer than that. Just good to be back there with the guys competing," said Grzelcyk. "As a competitor you want to play every game, but I think as a team we're playing pretty well, playing kind of a more complete game it seems. If I do get back in there, I just want to help the team contribute any way I can."

Familiar Territory

Chris Wagner spent the majority of his first six NHL seasons with the Anaheim Ducks, the team that drafted him in the fifth round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. And while he played briefly with the Colorado Avalanche (26 games in 2015-16) and New York Islanders (15 games last season), Wagner acknowledged that he was using this visit to Southern California as a time to reflect.
"Especially in this rink," said Wagner, speaking following practice at the Ducks training facility. "My first development camp…a lot of long, hard hours."
Throughout his tenure with the Ducks, the Walpole native searched for a role as he battled through assignments to the minors and eventually two trips through the waiver wire. But after 54 games with his hometown team, Wagner believes he has finally found a comfort zone.
As a fixture on the Bruins' fourth line alongside Sean Kuraly and Noel Acciari, the 27-year-old has already notched six goals, one short of his career high set last year with the Ducks and Islanders.
"Obviously coming back here, you think about all those times from when I was 19 until now. It means a lot," said Wagner. "We have a great line rolling right now. We have a role that we're doing well at, shutting teams down. It means a lot. I think about all the waivers, the trades, being in the minors, I still think about that a lot - I'm grateful to be here."

Thursday's Practice Lineup

Brad Marchand - Patrice Bergeron - Danton Heinen
Peter Cehlarik - David Krejci - Jake DeBrusk
Joakim Nordstrom - Trent Frederic/Karson Kuhlman - David Backes
Sean Kuraly - Noel Acciari - Chris Wagner
Zdeno Chara - Charlie McAvoy
Torey Krug - Brandon Carlo
John Moore/Matt Grzelcyk - Kevan Miller
Tuukka Rask
Jaroslav Halak
*Cassidy said following practice that Halak would start on Friday night against the Ducks, with Rask getting the call on Saturday in Los Angeles.