On left or right, Donato just wants to play

BOSTON — Ryan Donato isn’t a Boy Scout, but he lives by their motto: Be prepared.

The 22-year-old forward, who transformed from a Harvard University junior into a Bruin in March, spent his off-season learning a role for which he wasn’t even sure he’d compete: A center and left wing throughout his amateur career, Donato practiced and played as a right wing whenever he could over the summer.

"I didn’t really [...]

BOSTON — Ryan Donato isn’t a Boy Scout, but he lives by their motto: Be prepared.

The 22-year-old forward, who transformed from a Harvard University junior into a Bruin in March, spent his off-season learning a role for which he wasn’t even sure he’d compete: A center and left wing throughout his amateur career, Donato practiced and played as a right wing whenever he could over the summer.

“I didn’t really know anything” in advance, Donato said. “I just prepared myself like I was going to get a shot.”

As a result of veteran Rick Nash remaining an unsigned free agent, and second-year pro Anders Bjork limited in training camp because of shoulder surgery he underwent in February, Donato has been thrust into the battle for a right-wing vacancy on one of the Bruins’ top two lines. He’s making a strong bid, too, with a goal and two assists over the two pre-season games he and the B’s played against the Flames in China.

"(Right wing) is definitely the position I’ve played the least,” said Donato, who scored five goals and nine points in his first 12 NHL games after leaving the Crimson last spring. “But it’s also the exact same position as left wing -- just on the other side -- so it’s not really that much more difficult. It takes a few games to adjust, but I thought I did well when I had the chance in China.”

He did well enough for head coach Bruce Cassidy to call Donato “a bit of a wild card” as he competes for the spot next to either David Krejci or Patrice Bergeron. “He doesn’t have a lot of experience, but we like where he’s at.”

Donato’s primary competition is second-year NHLer Danton Heinen, who scored most of last year’s 16 goals and 43 points while playing left wing on the Bruins’ third line, but also saw time as a Top 6 right wing. Heinen, who wasn’t among the group who trained in China, has played two pre-season games (one assist) at right wing, with Krejci at center.

“I trust (Heinen) as a player,” Cassidy said. “It’s just about where’s the best fit for him.

“Can he handle the Top 6 every night for 82 games? We’re not going to know that until he gets tossed in there. Maybe we move him around some nights and throw a bone to Donato, or someone else who can maybe move up. That’s kind of how we handled things last year, moving guys around and trying to keep them fresh that way.”

All’s not lost for Donato if the Bruins move Heinen up to one of the top two lines. He can also play left wing (he practiced there on Sunday, with rookie candidate Trent Frederic at center and veteran David Backes at right wing), and could fill that third-line role. Donato’s ready for that assignment, too.

“I knew there were a lot of guys here competing for that right wing job, and to play other positions,” he said.

“The more positions you can play, the better chance you have. So I worked hard on both (wings) this summer, and even in the middle. Hopefully it gives me a better chance if they ever need anybody to fill in.”

AROUND THE BOARDS: The Bruins play their final road pre-season game on Monday night against the Flyers (7:05, no local TV or radio), and then host the Red Wings (Wednesday) and Flyers (Saturday) to close the exhibition schedule … Bergeron, whose training camp participation has been delayed by back spasms, was one of three injured B’s on the ice before Sunday’s practice, and he worked longer than forwards Sean Kuraly and Ryan Fitzgerald, both of whom are nursing lower body injuries. Bergeron’s one-on-one session with skating instructor Kim Brandvold included passing and shooting drills.