Sep 16, 2018; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins forward Jakub Lauko (94) celebrates his goal during the first period against the Washington Capitals at TD Garden. (Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports)
By Ty Anderson, 985TheSportsHub.com
The Laukomotive that went top shelf on Brian Elliott just two nights ago has changed course, at least for now, as the Bruins officially assigned high-energy, high-scoring forward Jakub Lauko to the Providence Bruins on Wednesday.
The 19-year-old move’s to Providence will be to see if Lauko, drafted by the Bruins in the third round in 2018 and with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies of the QMJHL last year, is ready to compete against pros over the course of a full season.
“He’s gonna go there for their training camp; they play Friday, Saturday. I’m sure he’ll get in to at least one game,” Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy said. “They’ll have to make a decision if they think he’s ready [to turn pro]. That will be Donny’s call, at the end of the day. We thought he competed here, with men, fine. But you’re talking about seven months, not one month.
“But I liked what I saw from my standpoint.”
Lauko dazzled in Boston’s overtime win over the Flyers on Monday, and totaled two points in three preseason games, but remains a long-term project when it comes to playing professional hockey at the NHL level, especially in the d-zone.
And if the Bruins do not believe Lauko is ready for full-time work in the pros, Sweeney and B’s player development head Jamie Langenbrunner will meet to figure out the next course of action when (and where) it comes to developing the Czech wing.
The club also reassigned defenseman Josiah Didier to the P-Bruins. Didier, who totaled two goals and 10 points in 41 games for the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers last year, had two assists, four hits, and three blocked shots in two preseason games.