Carlo, Young Boston Bruins ‘D’ Ready ‘To Step Up In All Aspects’ |BHN+

Based on the actions and comments emanating from the Boston Bruins organization, the Black and Gold are warmly embracing a youth movement on their back end.

The B’s have already lost 29-year-old Torey Krug in free agency after he signed a massive contract with the St. Louis Blues, and there is very real uncertainty about the return of 43-year-old captain Zdeno Chara. John Moore is still around as something of a utility defenseman and the Bruins resigned the oft-injured Kevan Miller to retain some toughness and physicality, but the swift turnover to youth is unmistakable for Boston.

Bruce Cassidy called it the “circle of life” in the hockey world last week, and the one-way contract given to former first round pick Jakub Zboril certainly sends a message that his time is now or never. At the end of the day, the reins of the B’s defense are being handed over to Charlie McAvoy, Brandon Carlo and Matt Grzelcyk as the leaders and best players on the Boston blue line.

The added level of responsibility on and off the ice is something Carlo said he’s ready for, even if it’s bittersweet to see guys like Krug, and perhaps Chara, moving on as a result.