Marco Sturm Opens Up On Lack Of Ice Time For Bruins’ Fraser Minten

Boston Bruins head coach Marco Sturm still has confidence in Fraser Minten, despite the lack of ice time.

The Bruins acquired Minten as part of the package from the Toronto Maple Leafs at last year’s trade deadline for Brandon Carlo. Minten entered this season in the middle-six, but in the Bruins’ 4-3 loss to the Florida Panthers on Tuesday, he had just 7:07 of ice time, the lowest of any player on Boston.

Ahead of the Bruins’ home game against the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday, Sturm opened up on the lack of playing time for Minten.

“He’s a young kid and he has to learn a lot, too,” Sturm said of Minten on Thursday before the game. “Those young kids need help as well. He did a lot of good things. I don’t want him to play a little bit shy. He was more chest-out, I would say. He was more cocky in the first half, the first four games, I would say.

“He kind of stepped back and played a little, but shy. He shouldn’t. He’s not a shy kid, I can tell you that. But he also needs help from his wingers. And again, hopefully Vieler can give him some hair on his chest, and hopefully he feels more comfortable and just playing his game, because he’s a good hockey player.”

Sturm believes Minten is going through some growing pains of being a young player in the NHL. But the Bruins head coach remains confident that Minten will remain a key part of the team.

Minten is expected to center Boston’s third line with Tanner Jeannot and Jeffrey Viel on Thursday.

The 21-year-old has one goal in eight games this season with the Bruins.