How Jakub Lauko Feels Bruins Can Honor Departed Teammates

Jakub Lauko spent the better part of two seasons in and out of the Boston Bruins’ lineup.

At the conclusion of the 2023-24 campaign, Bruins general manager Don Sweeney traded Lauko to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for Vinni Lettieri and a fourth round draft pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.

Less than nine months later, Lauko has returned to Boston as part of the package that sent Justin Brazeau to the Wild a day before the March 7 NHL trade deadline.

“I would lie if I said I wasn’t surprised, because I was,” Lauko told reporters in Tampa ahead of the Bruins contest with the Lightning, per team-provided video. “Obviously, it’s nice to be back with people I know, places I know. So, I’m happy to be back.”

Brazeau was not the only skater Sweeney moved at the deadline. Along with the streaky forward, team captain Brad Marchand, forwards Charlie Coyle and Trent Frederic and defenseman Brandon Carlo all found themselves with new homes by the time the dust settled on Friday night.

“Obviously, the circumstance is a little bit different, and the position that this team is in right now is a little different than from the past years,” Lauko said of fitting in with the team during his second tour in Boston. “So, it’s a challenge. I just hope I’ll come in and hopefully, I’ll be ready, and be an addition for this team and for the organization.”

Lauko recognizes how different the roster looks but also embraces what it means to wear the Spoked-B again.

“Everyone feels that this team (took) a huge hit with those guys leaving, a big part of the Boston Bruins in the last few years,” Lauko said. “… Those guys have been around, and they were the ones who were carrying the culture, so it’s a big hit. Obviously, it’s on us right now, still got the guys … Pasta’s (David Pastrnak) been here a long time. C-Mac (Charlie McAvoy), he’s not playing, but he’s still on the team and a big presence in the locker room and everywhere. It’s just on us to keep going and keep paving the way from the guys that left a big mark behind.”

Lauko added: “I’ve been here before, so I know what being a Bruin is all about. Obviously we want to carry it out and keep doing what these guys brought those last years.”

The 24-year-old Czechia native was slotted into the lineup alongside Elias Lindholm and newcomer Marat Khusnutdinov, who was traded to Boston with Lauko from Minnesota. Lauko had three goals and three assists in 38 games for the Wild this season.