Lazar Hoping To Help Boston Bruins Get ‘That Swag’ Back

After being traded from the worst NHL team in the salary cap era (2005-06-present) and a team that hasn’t made the Stanley Cup playoffs since the Boston Bruins hoisted Lord Stanley in 2011, it’s not surprising that new Boston Bruins forward Curtis Lazar is thrilled to become a Bruin.

“They kind of have that swag,” a glowing Lazar told the Boston media late Monday morning after the Boston Bruins acquired him and winger Taylor Hall in exchange for winger Anders Bjork and a 2021 second-round draft pick just after midnight Monday.

Of course, that was not the case at all with the Sabres, for Lazar or anyone else who has played there not just this season but really for the last ten in Buffalo. This year though was truly a Murphy’s Law type of experience for Lazar and his now-former teammates. Now Lazar hopes to come to Boston and help the Boston Bruins get back to winning again after an up and down last month.

“For the Sabres, we had a lot of adversity. …I’m not saying other teams didn’t especially with this year but you get COVID, lose your legs, and then go on that losing streak and all, it was some tough sledding, there’s no other way around it,” Lazar said. “But it’s a good group over there, I’m gonna miss the guys but I’m looking forward to a chance to play for the Bruins. They’re in a great spot here. … the tail end of the season and I’m looking to contribute. It was a learning experience in Buffalo and the Bruins wanted me to be part of that deal, so I’m going to come here and do my thing.”

So what is Lazar’s ‘thing’?

“For myself, it’s an honest game,” Lazar replied when asked to tell Boston Bruins fans what his thing is. “It’s a 200-foot game. I pride myself in keeping the puck out of our net, even more so than probably putting the net in their net but that doesn’t mean I’m any slouch at the offensive side either. I pride myself on energy and engaging the momentum throughout a game. I love to kill penalties and just kind of help wherever needed. So, I’m excited to get in the mix here, identify my role here and embrace it.”

The 26-year-old Lazar, who was drafted 17th overall by the Ottawa Senators at the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, played for the Sens, the Calgary Flames, and the Sabres before joining the Boston Bruins Monday. He has five goals and four assists in 34 games this season. Thanks to a lower-body injury, Lazar hasn’t played since March 31 but he told reporters he should good to go when the Boston Bruins host his now-former team, the Sabres Tuesday night at TD Garden.