Bruins have two PTO targets for camp

The Hockey News reported on Aug. 5 that the Boston Bruins have two clear professional tryout targets in mind as training camp approaches: Patrik Laine and Vladimir Tarasenko. The report, written by Russell Macias, framed both players as low-risk camp options for a Bruins team still looking for more scoring support. (thehockeynews.com) Yahoo Sports said the club was a month and 16 days away from its first preseason game as of Aug. 5, placing the PTO discussion in the final stretch of the offseason. ### Which two veterans were identified as Boston’s PTO targets? Patrik Laine, 28, was the first player named by The Hockey News as a fit for Boston on a professional tryout. (nhl.com) The report said Laine played five games last season for the Montreal Canadiens and described him as a perennial 20-goal scorer with power-play value. Vladimir Tarasenko, 34, was the second player identified. The Hockey News said Tarasenko scored 23 goals and 47 points in 75 games last season with the Minnesota Wild and called him another shooting option who could fit in Boston’s top nine. (thehockeynews.com) ### Why would Boston look at PTOs instead of making a straight signing? The Hockey News said training camp gives Boston a chance to use PTO agreements to test veteran scorers while also making younger forwards earn roster spots. The report said the Bruins are relying on a youth group up front that includes James Hagens, Fraser Minten and Marat Khusnutdinov to take another step offensively. (thehockeynews.com) The same report pointed to prior Bruins experience with PTOs, citing Anton Stralman and Danton Heinen as examples of players who previously came into camp on tryouts. Macias wrote that a PTO would give Boston the option to evaluate either Laine or Tarasenko before deciding on a one-year contract. (thehockeynews.com) ### What did the report say about the Bruins’ current scoring picture? Viktor Arvidsson’s departure in free agency and J.J. Peterka’s arrival via trade were cited by The Hockey News as the main offensive changes around the Bruins roster. The report said Boston could still use more goals, which is why veteran wing depth remained part of the discussion. (thehockeynews.com) Russell Macias also sketched one possible power-play look, writing that a unit with Laine, Morgan Geekie and David Pastrnak would be difficult to defend. That lineup was presented as a hypothetical camp scenario, not a move the Bruins have made. (thehockeynews.com) ### Has Boston announced anything officially? The Boston Bruins have announced their 2026 preseason schedule, but there has been no official team announcement of a PTO for either Laine or Tarasenko in the material reviewed. The club said on June 22 that its preseason will begin on Sept. 20 against the Washington Capitals at TD Garden. (thehockeynews.com) The Bruins’ official schedule lists four preseason games under the NHL’s new format: Sept. 20 versus Washington, Sept. 22 versus Philadelphia, Sept. 24 at Philadelphia and Sept. 25 at Washington. ### What comes next before camp opens? Sept. 20 is the next firm Bruins date on the calendar, when Boston opens preseason at home against the Capitals at 5 p.m., according to the team’s official release. (thehockeynews.com) Any PTO invitation for Laine, Tarasenko or another free agent would be expected to come before that camp and preseason window begins. (nhl.com)