Bruins Prospect Linus Arnesson Joining Providence
The last few recent Boston Bruins draft picks have been a success, and they hope that they might have another find in Linus Arnesson. First Dougie Hamilton, a former ninth overall pick, has become a viable NHL defenseman, and now 2014 draft pick David Pastrnak has become a productive forward as the team heads for the playoffs.
Now Arnesson, a second round pick from 2013, will finally have a chance to make an impact in North America. Once his Swedish hockey season ends, according to Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli, Arnesson will come to New England to play with the American Hockey League’s Providence Bruins.
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It looks like Arnesson will be in Providence at some point next week where he will begin play right away. The defenseman, who is a solid defense-first player, could become the team’s top defenseman as they head towards a playoff push.
Arnesson creates immediate depth for the Bruins defensive prospects. With Johnny Boychuk gone and the team up against the salary cap, they will need to be creative in the next few years to have a solid defense. Hamilton is a free agent at the end of the season as well, and though they will likely sign him, it will be costly and they’ll need some cheaper, young players on the backend.
Chiarelli mentioned in his trade deadline press conference that Arnesson isn’t ready to play with the Bruins in the NHL yet, though they do need defenseman. Hopefully for the team he will be ready to try to make the team next season.
Arnesson was in Bruins training camp this past fall but sustained a groin injury that prevented him from continuing play. The Bruins wanted him to get accustomed to playing the North American game before training camp next season where he might be able to prove himself.
The Bruins have had success with Swedish players of late, being able to bring over Carl Soderberg who did not want to leave his home country for a while. The former St Louis Blues prospect has become the Bruins regular third line center and has become a focal point of their offense and power play.
If Arnesson can be ready next season, even if it’s in the middle of it, it would help the defense a lot. Without Boychuk the team has struggled at times, with Hamilton still learning and young D-man Torey Krug struggling in his own end at times. If Arnesson succeeds, we might be able to see a trend of Chiarelli finding solid players in the draft.