Ločmelis: "The season will probably have to start in the AHL"

Latvian forward Ločmelis, ahead of the Boston Bruins' main training camp, said he doesn't yet know much about his immediate plans. He hopes to get ice time in tomorrow's game and possibly one more, since the club's rules limit veteran players to two exhibition games.

He acknowledged that his season-long goal is to earn a chance to make his NHL debut while also aiming to be productive at the AHL level. He has set himself a target of at least ten NHL games, saying that would be a strong step toward opening next season in the NHL outright.

According to Ločmelis, he will most likely have to begin the upcoming season in the AHL, hoping for a strong start there that leads to a recall. He noted the Bruins roster includes around six players on one-way contracts, leaving little open space on the team, and that he is effectively competing for a spot against roughly four such players. He added that his situation is complicated by holding an entry-level contract — if he is sent to the AHL, no other team can claim him off waivers, whereas the other players mentioned could be claimed by any NHL club if sent down.

Before the main camp, Ločmelis played in two prospect exhibition games, recording two assists in the second one. He said he felt very good physically in the first game, while in the second — played on back-to-back days — he felt somewhat out of game rhythm and might have benefited from shorter shifts, though he still considered it a decent performance overall. He said he was glad to have played two games before camp to help regain his rhythm.

He also pointed out that the NHL's regular season has been extended from 82 to 84 games, further compressing the already short preseason and reducing opportunities for young players to prove themselves. As an example, he noted that the Edmonton Oilers already rely heavily on established stars like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl during camp, leaving less room for prospects.