One thing you can legitimately say about this summer’s Bruins Development Camp that might not have always been the case in the recent past?

There are players that will be skating this week at Ristuccia Arena that have very legitimate chances of winning NHL jobs this fall in training camp. Sometimes players like David Pastrnak have flashed and surprised after putting on shows in this camp, and other times can’t miss guys like Tyler Seguin were already ordained with an NHL gig before they even laced up the skates with the rest of the prospects.

But it’s pretty clear that young D-men like Brandon Carlo and Matt Grzelcyk will be competing for a potential spot on a B’s blue line that needs upgrading, and young forwards like Jake DeBrusk and Danton Heinen could be dark horses for roster spots in September as well. The 27 players invited to B's development camp are almost all Bruins draft picks and prospects already under their control, which is also a departure from development camps of the recent past.

Don Sweeney alluded to this last week when he mentioned an 18-year-old Kyle McLaren flashing during training camp and ultimately winning an NHL job with the Bruins in 1995-96 way back before there were development camps. Sweeney was a member of the Bruins back then, and saw firsthand as McLaren played 74 games and filled a needed spot on the NHL roster after popping as a first round pick (fifth overall) that June.

That means Sweeney may hold off on acquiring a high end defenseman until after the start of the season in hopes that Carlo, Grzelcyk or even Robbie O’Gara, who won’t be at development camp, can step up and be an impact rookie D-man for the Black and Gold.

“For me, [the quality of prospects at development camp] sends a message to our current players, and our current leaders who have won, that this ownership is all committed to find the best players that will complement this group. The younger players should recognize that this is a big-time land of opportunity in terms of coming in here and just proving to us that you’re ready to play, and bring to the table what you can bring and develop,” said Sweeney. “If you don’t make our team now, then fill in the gaps that we’re expecting you to do. If that means that Zach Senyshyn has to learn to protect the puck a little bit better, stop and start and not circle away – he had a great year, 45 goals – uses his speed through the neutral zone. Now, be a three-zone player, and what we identify with, and what identifies to win.

“If Brandon Carlo, who skates and covers ice, can continue to move pucks and find pucks, he might surprise somebody in this camp. I can go right down the line for all of our guys, to be target specific. You know, Danton Heinen was a prolific scorer in college – if he can get his pace up, he’s going to be able to complement these players and contribute offensively at a really high level. We can go up and down the line-up, we’re just excited about the players that we have, taking a step back in terms of acquiring the picks and taking prospects that should be really, really excited where we’re headed. David Backes identifies to our current players that we’re trying to win, we’re trying to win at all costs, you know? As far as being patient about the process, we’re in it to win.”

One thing the Bruins aren’t looking to repeat: Senyshyn, DeBrusk and defenseman Jakub Zboril all failed the conditioning test at the start of last July’s camp, and the hope is that that prospects are better prepared this time around.

One other note: Senyshyn isn’t expected to take part in the camp due to a bout of mononucleosis, and promising BU center Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson will also not be present due to “school, family and travel obligations” as many Terriers hockey players have already begun taking classes at the BU campus.

Joe Haggerty can be followed on Twitter: @HacksWithHaggs