As the NHL trade deadline concluded and it was announced that general manager Don Sweeney acquired Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Andrew Peeke, many felt that this was the defenseman that they were looking for as he would give the Bruins an edge and physicality that was missing.
The stay-at-home defenseman has immersed himself with the Bruins seamlessly over the past few games and he has given the team one assist, five hits two block shots and 19: 31 in ice time.
This has sparked former Bruins winger and NHL legend Mark Recchi who is now assistant coach with the Blue Jackets to give a rounding praise for the defensemen as he feels he will be a great fit for the Bruins.
«Great teammate and person!» Recchi told Boston Hockey Now in a quick text scouting report recently. «He's going to fit in perfectly to the Bruins culture. Solid bottom pair, D-man. Blocks shots. Skates well. Great PK'er.»
He even received a confidence boosting remark from his new head coach Jim Montgomery as he feels his defence core has grown in depth in that every person will need to earn their spot.
«Everything is gonna be earned,» Montgomery told the media on Saturday morning. «He played well last game and showed a lot of good stuff, so he's earned the right to play the next game. We have eight defensemen right now, and that's the way it's gonna be: you play well, you stay in the lineup.»
Peeke has felt that he has been welcomed by the Bruins brass and players and is looking forward to giving the Bruins a long playoff run.
«Coming here so quickly, you've got to learn a couple things,» Peeke told reporters. «But everyone's welcoming. Once you get your footing steady, each day, you learn something new. You just keep going. It's kind of nice to get thrown into the fire a little bit, and you don't have to think too much.»
Peeke and the Bruins will be at home to take on the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday March 19th. Game time will be 7:00 PM eastern.
