LAS VEGAS–– Jeffrey Viel was patient and positive as he watched the Boston Bruins’ first four games from the sidelines.
The forward will now make his season debut on Thursday against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena.
“The good thing about him is he’s been around for a while, so he knows it,” head coach Marco Sturm said of Viel. “I talked to him throughout the whole process, but I wasn’t really worried about him because his attitude was great, his work ethic was great.”
Viel will be part of the fourth line alongside Sean Kuraly and Mark Kastelic for faceoff at 10 p.m. ET. Marat Khusnutdinov will step down.
“It’s not about [Khusnutdinov]I think he played very well. He did his job,” Sturm said. “We just wanted to have a little heavier lineup today against a heavier team. Viel did an outstanding job in pre-season.
Viel, who signed a two-year contract with the Bruins last July, turned heads in training camp as a physical, depth option for the team’s bottom six. The 28-year-old wants to build on the B’s early success.
“It feels good to be there. Obviously, I’m just trying to follow what the guys are doing. They’re playing pretty well. I’m just going to try to play my game out there,” Viel said. “A little energy, a little physicality. Just keep my game simple and help the team as much as I can. Drive pucks deep into the o-zone and go from there.”
Viel played five games in the NHL last season and spent most of the year in the AHL. He collected 37 points (13 goals, 24 assists) in 68 games with the Providence Bruins.
“It’s a great opportunity for me, so I’m just trying to take it and play as hard as I can,” Viel said.
Boston plays three games over the next four days, starting with a veteran Vegas team. Sturm and his group are excited to compete against some top competitors this week.
“If you look at their roster, I don’t have much to say about it. Overall, they’re a Stanley Cup team,” Sturm said. “But we love these challenges, and I think these are the big games that we’ve all been a part of. It’s going to be great.”
