Bruins Notebook: Jakub Lauko rounding into form

Jakub Lauko is entering his third professional season in North America. Since being drafted in the third round (77th overall) in the 2018 draft, the Bruins prospect has displayed the combination of skill and edge that caught the club’s eye.

And in the first day of Bruins’ rookie camp on Wednesday at Warrior Ice Arena, Lauko’s experience and talent were evident as he skated with some of the younger prospects.

In many organizations, Lauko would be banging on the door for a spot on the NHL roster and maybe that will be the case in a couple of weeks.

But the odds are not in his favor. The B’s brought in three veterans for the bottom six in Nick Foligno, Erik Haula and Tomas Nosek and, though there’s some uncertainty at the second line center spot with the departure of David Krejci, the top six is otherwise stacked.

The affable left shot wing knows what he’s up against.

“Obviously, everyone knows the Bruins’ roster is pretty backed up with a lot of good players on offense,” said the 21-year-old Lauko on Wednesday. “I’m just trying to fight for my opportunity and do my best to stay here as long as possible.”

Lauko’s first season in Providence was cut short by a knee injury, limiting him to just 22 games (5-4-9 totals) and last year’s AHL season was truncated because of COVID, though Lauko excelled. In 23 games, he had 5-14-19 totals.

With just 45 AHL games under his belt — COVID also robbed the league of the Calder Cup playoffs last season — it would not be the worst thing in the world for the Czech native to head back to Providence for a full AHL schedule.

“(Organizational depth) is a good thing to have,” said Ryan Mougenel, the first-year Providence coach who served as an assistant under Jay Leach, now an assistant coach with the Seattle Kraken. “We have the ability to have players marinate in the American League and, when they’re ready, they seem to go up when their games are tight and good. And I think that’s a testament to the organization and the competition from within. We have the ability to wait on some kids and make sure the best version of themselves (comes out). And I think Jakub Lauko is a prime example of that. I think he could probably go somewhere else and be pushed into duty and not be ready. I think the one thing he’s done, he’s worked on his game. He feels about his game, he understands some of those things about being a pro. It’s a testament to the organization and what we have here.”

And with all that being said, Mouganel doesn’t expect Lauko to just accept his assignment to Providence.

“Sometimes when we’re talking about players, one description I use is ‘Does he get you excited?’ and I think every time he steps on the ice, something happens,” said Mouganel. “He’s had a ton of growth, first as a person. He was a young pro coming into a men’s league and he’s definitely put the time in and with his growth as a player and a person, he’s really going to push. I think he’s the type of player that (B’s coach Bruce) Cassidy likes. He’s got some abrasiveness that really showed off last year and along with his skill package. He’s the real deal, we’re very happy with how he’s come along. A special kid, tons of energy. He’s just an exciting kid to be around.”

The B’s hopefuls will head to Buffalo for the Prospects Challenge this weekend when they will take on young players from the Sabres and New Jersey Devils organizations.

Lauko hopes to use these games as a tuneup to get him ready for when the full training camp opens up on September 22.

“I’m trying to use what I do best, which is skating hard, playing hard and just being an uncomfortable player to play against,” said Lauko. “My expectation for the weekend is just to get two games in before the main camp, just to get the right tempo and hopefully it’s going to help for main camp.” …

• John Ferguson Jr., who had been in the Bruins’ organization for the last seven years, left to take the assistant GM job with the Arizona Coyotes under GM Bill Armstrong. The well-regarded Ferguson, who has been a GM with the Toronto Maple Leafs, will also be the GM of the club’s AHL affiliate, the Tucson Roadrunners.

Ferguson had served as the B’s Executive Director of Player Personnel and GM of the Providence Bruins. …

• Fabian Lysell, the B’s first round draft pick (21st overall) last summer, made his first official appearance in a Bruins’ uniform on Wednesday and donned No. 68.

While he’s not yet certain on where he’ll play, the Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League own his rights and playing for Milan Lucic‘s old team is a distinct possibility as he gets acquainted with the North American game.

“We’ll take these two games at the rookie tournament and see what comes after that,” said the slick right wing.