Bergeron notes key difference in preseason competition to motivate Bruins

After making a ton of changes in the offseason, the Bruins experienced a different flavor of preseason preparation as most players on the roster fought for newly open spots on the depth chart. It's a style of competition which Bruins alternate captain Patrice Bergeron said created healthy pressure for everyone in camp. 

"I think the camp has gone well," Bergeron told the Boston Herald. "It’s been a while since we had a camp like this, where we had so many jobs open and spots that kind of were question marks. I think it’s healthy. It’s been a healthy competition. I feel it’s always good to have that, to have pressure to push yourself to be better."

The open jobs did not apply to just the new players; with the departures of Milan Lucic and Dougie Hamilton, the lines and defensive pairings are suddenly in flux. For example, Lucic frequently occupied a first-line role for the Bruins, but his vacated spot was up for grabs among the team's left wings. Brad Marchand seems tied to center Patrice Bergeron, meaning the Bruins could look to Matt Beleskey as David Krejci's wing or they could convert a right wing to the left side. It all depends on how well the team's forwards perform each night. 

Given that Bruins coach Claude Julien repeatedly denounced the team's lack of a will to win last season, the idea that anyone on the roster can receive a promotion this year should go a long way toward improving the Bruins' drive this season.

(h/t Boston Herald)