The Boston Bruins signed Alex Steeves to a one-year deal this offseason in a move that didn’t create many headlines.
Yet, due to some key injuries to the Bruins’ forward group, Steeves has been thrust into a role and has been playing well. This is the longest stint of his NHL career, and Bruins head coach Marco Sturm said it’s because he’s doing the dirty work, which has gained the trust of the coaches.
“He’s a guy that coaches trust, I would say,” Sturm said of Steeves on Tuesday. “I know he scored a lot of goals in the past, but I would say if he wants to play in this lineup, (he’s) more of a checker. That means he’s doing the dirty work, and I think he’s been pretty good.
“I also trust him on PK (penalty kill). We don’t have enough (penalty killers). He also did a good job jumping in the last two, three games. At the end of the day, that is what keeps him in the lineup, too.”
Steeves has skated in eight games this season, recording one goal and one assist. He’s been in the lineup in eight straight games since being called up, and Sturm expects him to remain.
Steeves practiced on the fourth line with Sean Kuraly and Mikey Eyssimont on Tuesday.
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