It’s a small sample size, but Coach Jim Montgomery has expressed his excitement about what the 1.80 meter tall, 100 kilogram power forward can bring to his team.

“He hits hard,” Montgomery said. “Bruins fans are going to like him.”

A first-round pick by the Ducks in 2016, Jones has 31 goals and 62 points in 258 regular-season games, all with Anaheim.

The Bruins have always been a team Jones admired, so he was thrilled when he found out the feeling was mutual when free agency opened in July and he got the call from the general manager Don Sweeney.

“The last six years when I played against the Bruins, it definitely felt like a game that kind of brought out my game because of the way they played,” said Jones, who has a two-year deal with an average annual value of $1 million. “When I played against them, I always felt like I played good games against Boston just because of the way the Bruins played. Boston has always been on my mind for all these years. They play a really good hard style of play, especially when you look at these additions you have (Nikita) Zadorov(Mark) Castelianthese big guys, big bodies, and I think it’s just going to fit my style of play really well and I’m just really excited to be in this group.”

Being sidelined “took its toll mentally,” said Jones, who watched a lot of videos and took notes to keep himself busy during rehab. He said the adjustment to the Bruins system went well.

“Nothing too crazy. When it comes to the O-Zone, you’re just playing hockey. The neutral zone is a little different from previous years I’ve had in Anaheim, but nothing crazy,” Jones said. “D-zone, not bad for a winger, so that should be quick. I’m not too worried about it. Ultimately it’s about playing your position and making minor changes to the system here and there, but it should be ready to go.”

Jones’ speed and strength should help him create space for himself and his teammates. Defenders must respect his speed and strength.

“Yeah, big, strong, fast chasing pucks,” Jones described his style. “A bit like my hair was on fire a bit. I like putting pucks in the net, I’m definitely an agitator, whether I try or not, it just happens. But I like to play this fast style of play and create chances for my teammates on the outside line and of course for myself around the net.”

The courage and ability to get into the dirty areas is something Montgomery appreciates in Jones and his other free agent signee Cole Koepke.

“We’ve been doing rush drills where they just go past the goal and go hard into the net, the speed coupled with the power, and for lack of a better word I think it’s nice to see how bold they are in going into difficult areas .” “said the coach.

Regulars rest

The club called up strikers Georgii Merkulov, Riley Duran, Brett HarrisonAnd Jaxon Nelson; defender Michael Callahan And Jackson Edward; and goalkeeper Ryan Bischel And Kasimir Kaskisuo.

The extra bodies allowed Montgomery to rest many of his regular players, including his projected top line Elias Lindholm, Pavel ZachaAnd David Pastrnak. The four best defenders Charlie McAvoyZadorov, Brandon CarloAnd Hampus Lindholmas well as Joonas Korpisalowho will face Florida on Tuesday night, also stayed home.

“During an 82-game season there is a lot of travel, and right now travel on game days is our furthest travel in the exhibition season, so it’s more about discouraging them from doing that,” the coach said.

Captain on board

Among the regulars who got dressed was Brad Marchand. The captain missed some training sessions last week and had to leave Tuesday’s game early due to illness… Morgan Geekie And Andrew Peeke wore the “A” instead of Pastrnak and McAvoy… Brandon Kisses had the go-ahead shot in the net…The Capitals also dressed their captain, Alexander Ovechkin. Entering his 20th season, Ovechkin has scored 853 career goals, just 42 short of breaking the record Wayne Gretzky’s All-time mark. As a reminder, Ovechkin has scored at least 42 goals in 13 seasons, most recently in the 2022-23 season… While Ovechkin holds most of the Capitals’ records, did you know that the franchise’s points record in a season is one of them? Dennis Maruk? “Pee Wee” reached 136 in 1981-82… Song of the Night: “Bright Lights” by The Killers.

Jim McBride can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him @globejimmcbride.