Niklas Svedberg – image by Brent Clark
PROVIDENCE, RI – Every team has that one position of uncertainty as training camp begins, for the Boston Bruins it is their backup goalie position. Niklas Svedberg served as Tuukka Rask’s backup last season, but struggled to adjust to the pace and style in the NHL. With Svedberg moving on to the KHL, that opens the door for one of the young goalies in the AHL to take his place.
Most people look at Malcolm Subban as the bona fide backup, but after his shaky debut and some struggles last season, upper management should be leery about the young goalie. Then there is Jeremy Smith, the 26-year old was drafted 54th overall by the Nashville Predators in 2007. Since joining the Bruins last offseason, Smith has shown a lot of growth; he came into camp last year with something to prove.
Smith had a great camp a season ago but was passed over for the backup role and sent down to the minors to split net minding duties with Subban. Smith posted a 22-11-5 record, with a 2.05 goals against average with three shutouts for the Providence Bruins. He was ranked fourth in goals against, third in save percentage and 15th in wins in the AHL.
Smith suited up for the Bruins in a few games last season as Rask’s backup while Svedberg spent some time in the AHL for conditioning. Smith and Subban split the five-game playoff series against the Hartford Wolf Pack, with Smith finishing the series with a game five overtime loss. This earned him a one-year, two-way contract extension for Boston this upcoming season.
Tuukka Rask – file photo by Lewis Bleiman
Smith could be the best option for the Bruins this season as a backup, he has more pro experience and could give Subban a little more time to develop. Even though Smith has never played a game in the NHL he could be a steady backup could pave the way for Subban to take over during the 2016-2017 season. Smith has certainly paid his dues in the minor leagues, he was a Kelly Cup champion and MVP with the Cincinnati Cyclones.
But in all likelihood Smith will be looked over during camp. Subban is a former first-round pick and the Bruins will look to bring him up early to show that they can still produce quality players out of their farm system. Smith will most likely start for Providence and be backed up by Zane McIntyre.
Fans shouldn’t be surprised to see Smith take over for Subban if he struggles early on. If that happens it could be very hard for the Bruins to overlook Smith and could bring some solid stability to their goaltending tandem. It’ll be interesting to see how things shake out between Smith and Subban. It seems like this will be the story to watch as the season progresses.
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