In less than 24 hours, the Bruins will report for official activities for the first time with off-ice testing. One day later, Bruce Cassidy will run practice for the first time in 2017-18 in the B’s first on-ice session of the season.

Hoping to build off of last year’s run under Cassidy, the Black and Gold have a few questions in store after a quiet off-season. Will David Pastrnak finally sign and report to Warrior Ice Arena? Who can nab an open roster spot? Was last year’s run with Cassidy under the interim tag a mirage?

Some questions will be answered in the next few weeks. Other answers will come during the 82-game regular season. With that in mind, here are five storylines to watch at Bruins training camp.

The ongoing David Pastrnak saga

The threat of Pastrnak playing a year in the KHL has been front and center over the last 48 hours. On Wednesday’s, TSN’s Darren Dreger reiterated that thought and shared more information regarding the ongoing Pastrnak negotiations.

No hard evidence, but a feeling something happens tonight between Bruins and Pastrnak. Obviously, camp opens so makes sense…However…

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) September 13, 2017

 

…the KHL threat is always there. Pastrnak could net $6+ mil based on interest and play in the Olympics.

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) September 13, 2017

 

…Pastrnak remains in Czech Rep and has no intention of flying over without a new deal. Could start skating with a team there soon…

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) September 13, 2017

 

Multiple scenarios ranging from 5-8 year term have been discussed. Seems like a final push is up to the Bruins.

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) September 13, 2017

 

As the negotiations continue, a battle for another top-six position is temporarily open for the start of training camp. Between returning veterans like David Backes, players looking to break through like Frank Vatrano and members of the pipeline looking to impress, the dragging of the Pastrnak negotiations gives the Black and Gold an unexpected development as Pastrnak will hold off on reporting to Boston until a new deal is finished.

Speaking of the Bruins youngsters…

Prospects pushing for a roster spot

From Brandon Carlo and Charlie McAvoy helping the D to Austin Czarnik and Sean Kuraly earning bottom six minutes last year, the Bruins had a youth movement of sorts in 2016-17. That trend should continue in 2017-18, especially at training camp.

Anders Bjork looks to build off of his swan song at Notre Dame. Jake DeBrusk, the 14th overall pick of the 2015 NHL Draft is fresh off a solid season in Providence a year ago. Both are candidates to crack a spot on one of the Bruins’ top two lines in the fall. Zach Senyshyn, another 2015 first rounder who is coming off two tremendous years in the OHL, is another prospect to watch following a good showing in Buffalo during last week’s prospects challenge, while Jacob Forsbacka Karlsson and Jesse Gabrielle hope to challenge for minutes on the third or fourth lines.

Although the Bruins are in a pretty good position on the back end – at least compared to this time last year – they are still in need of a left shot defenseman. Jakub Zboril, the third selection of that aforementioned first round in 2015, is one that could fill that need and is fresh off a solid bounce-back year at the QMJHL. The 6-foot blue-liner is a skilled and smooth skater who can move the puck quickly and has good closing speed, but his decision making still needs improvement, especially in today’s NHL. Zboril’s development will likely continue in Providence, but a call-up to Boston at some point this year wouldn’t be surprising.

Khudobin looks to build off late season success, solidify backup spot

For most of the last three seasons, the Bruins’ backup goaltending spot was a revolving door. That spelled trouble for Tuukka Rask as the B’s were forced to give him more playing time thanks to the inconsistent play from the likes of Niklas Svedberg and Jonas Gustavsson in their two playoff-less seasons.

Anton Khudobin was seemingly heading towards that route in his first year back in Boston. But he started playing better once Cassidy took over and gave the Black and Gold a shot in the arm when called upon, most notably in a pivotal game in Brooklyn against the Islanders last March.

Khudobin has a little momentum going for him after winning six of his last seven starts last season. He’ll have to stave off Zane McIntyre and Malcolm Subban – both of whom got playing time in Boston last year – while prospect Dan Vladar will likely start the year in Providence.

Rask has started at least 64 games in each of the last three years. Whether it’s Kuhdobin, McIntyre, Subban or a surprising run from Vladar, the backup needs to appear at least 20-25 times during the regular season. That would go a long way for the Bruins and Rask.

Can the minor free agent signings make an impact?

With a weak free agent class and a solid core of prospects, Don Sweeney opted to go for a different off-season route.  Instead of throwing big money around like he did when he signed Matt Beleskey and David Backes on July 1, 2015, and 2016, respectively, the Bruins GM decided to keep the cap space for Ryan Spooner – who signed a one-year deal worth over $2.8 million in July – and the Pastrnak negotiations.

This July 1, Sweeney inked Paul Postma and Kenny Agostino to one-year contracts. The depth signings give the Bruins a seventh defenseman and 13th forward to carry around.

Postma, who spent his first seven seasons with the Jets organization, appeared in a career high 65 games last year tallying 14 points (also a career best). Agostino spent almost all of his first three seasons in the AHL and has appeared in just 17 NHL games following stints with the Flames and Blues.

What’s in store for the first full season under Cassidy

The change in style between Cassidy and his predecessor turned Canadiens head coach Claude Julien looked like night and day once the former Providence bench boss took over on the interim basis. With that interim tag removed, Cassidy enters his first full season as an NHL head coach since his days in Washington over a decade ago.

Cassidy’s up-tempo style gave the Bruins a much-needed shot in the arm. The Bruins went 19-7-2 when Cassidy took over back in February. From Pastrnak and Brad Marchand’s offensive touch to the D transitioning the puck more quickly, the Black and Gold benefitted from the philosophy change from Julien to Cassidy.

Sweeney’s announcement of Julien’s firing and Cassidy’s promotion during the Patriots parade was indeed bad timing. It turned out to be his most important decision last year and as a result, Cassidy got another promotion following the Bruins’ first round series with the Senators.

He may not be making too many adjustments to his system, but for sure Cassidy will make a few tweaks for the upcoming season as the Bruins look to take another step forward in 2017-18.