Eriksson Excited To Join Bruins, Ready To Compete For Cup
BOSTON (CBS) - Loui Eriksson has been a spectator of postseason hockey for the last five years.
But now that he is a member of the Boston Bruins, Eriksson likes his chances at participating in the playoff fun next season.
"I'm really looking forward to playing in Boston. It's a really good team and the last couple of years here they've been one of the best teams in the league, so I'm excited to go there and play," Eriksson said on a conference call with the Boston media on Monday, his first since being traded from Dallas to Boston with three prospects for Tyler Seguin, Rich Peverley and Ryan Button last week.
"It will be a little bit different than Dallas, for sure," he said of the passion Boston fans have for their hockey. "I'm really excited to go there and see all the fans. I know they have a lot of people going to the games and it's a really good hockey town, and I heard a lot of good things about Boston, the whole city."
Eriksson is currently at home in Sweden, resting up for the 2013-14 campaign that begins in just a few months. When camp comes around in September, the 27-year-old thinks he'll fit in just fine.
"I know they play a tough style and good defensive style," he said of his new team. "I think that will fit me well, I like to play that way. I know it's a good team to play on; they have a lot of really good players."
Watch: Bob Beers Talks Loui Eriksson On Sports Final
One of those really good players is Patrice Bergeron, who Eriksson expects to line up next to on Boston's second line.
"He's been really good for many years here. I think it will be a good fit for me to play with him," Eriksson said of his potential new linemate. "I know he's a smart player, he plays a great defensive style and he can score goals and do a lot of good things out there. That will be a good fit for me, and I'm going to try to make him better too when I play with him."
Read: All You Need To Know About Loui Eriksson
Eriksson has been a solid contributor since being drafted in the second round in 2003. He scored 12 goals in the lockout-shortened 48-game season last year, which he called a "disappointing" and "weird" year for him. He's seen as a solid two-way player, and should benefit greatly on a line next to Bergeron and Brad Marchand.
"I think I hit the post and out almost the whole year, so I'm looking to rebound here in the next year and try to make better plays," he said. "It was kind of a weird year for me too, I was playing on every line, it felt like I couldn't find any consistency with anyone there so it was kind of a tough one for me."
With a new sweater and new linemates, and his thirst for the postseason, it wouldn't be crazy to think Eriksson returns to his form from 2009-2012, when he had 71, 73 and 71-point seasons, respectively.
"I'm going to give my best, and try to help them win a Cup," Eriksson said.
