Author Archives: @JamieGatlin1217

Can Ryan Donato Live Up To The Hype

Last year, Ryan Donato got his first taste of NHL action. He was impressive, which has only raised the expectations for the rookie this coming season. He is seen as a key part of the Bruins’ future. For a young player with his expectations, fans will have to be patient. Regardless of his talent, Donato will still experience growing pains next season. How he is able to respond to the NHL grind will reveal the player he will become. He has the talent and it could be a special season for the Harvard Product.

Brief Debut

Last season, Donato appeared in 12 regular season games. In those 12 games he had five goals and four assists. He was impressive on the power play, recording four points on the man advantage. He showed his terrific vision and good scoring touch. In the playoffs he did not make much of an impact and only appeared in four games. He did not look overmatched by the rise in expectations and seemed ready for the NHL grind. This season will be a true test to see how far he has come. It will only get harder for the Harvard product before it gets easier.

Photo Credit: Sporting News

Expectations For Donato This Season

Donato is projected to have a similar season as Jake DeBrusk’s rookie campaign. If he ends up on the second line with DeBrusk and Krejci, then a 20 goal season is very plausible. He will have many opportunities even if he does not end up on the second line, especially on the man advantage. The Bruins had a very good power play last season and adding Donato to the mix will only improve it. Unlike DeBrusk, Donato already has some NHL experience. That will only play to his advantage as he experiences the full grind of an NHL season. A disappointing playoff run has only left him more motivated for this season.

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Can Ryan Donato Fulfill The Hype

In 12 games Donato showed that he was no fluke. He showed that he could succeed in the NHL. Like last year, the Bruins youth will be key and Donato will be the most hyped Bruins prospect this season. He has the skills and will become a key piece on this team for years to come. His growth will be a storyline to watch this season and Bruins fans should be excited to see just how good this kid becomes.

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Expectations For John Moore And Brandon Carlo

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In less than two months the regular season will begin for the Boston Bruins. Every player will be looking to make an impression before the season starts. Brandon Carlo and John Moore are two players to watch out for. They each have their own reasons for why they will be looking to make their mark early. Those reasons include health and the fact that the Bruins have 8 defenseman under contract for next season. If they struggle then the Bruins will have plenty of replacements to choose from.

Health

Last year Carlo appeared in 76 games after appearing in 82 his rookie season. For the 2nd straight year his season was cut short by a gruesome injury right before the playoffs began. For Carlo, he will be looking to prove that he is healthy. He has been a key player for the Bruins in his young career. In two seasons he has only missed six regular-season games. Carlo struggled last season but was playing his best hockey of the season right before the injury. With the Bruins being so deep defensively Carlo cannot afford another injury. Moore, unlike Carlo, has not had injury problems in his career. Last season he appeared in seventy plus games for the third time in his career. He established himself as one of the Devils’ best young defenseman with free agency approaching. Where he fits in a crowded Bruins defensive group remains to be seen.

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Locks

Of the Bruin’s defenseman only Torey Krug, Charlie McAvoy, and Zdeno Chara appear to be locks. This is both a negative and a positive for Moore and Carlo. Moore is also most likely a lock due to his contract but where he plays remains to be seen. The Bruins’ first defensive pair is set with Chara and McAvoy. The second pairing will most likely include Torey Krug but beyond that nothing is a lock. Carlo and Moore will be looking to make their case in camp to be on the second pairing alongside Krug.

AP Photo/Elise Amendola

Final Thoughts On Brandon Carlo And John Moore

By giving John Moore a five-year deal, the Bruins showed that they see him in Boston for years to come. His skating ability allows him to contribute on the rush and recover when out of position. His skating ability also allows him to win puck battles by beating opponents to the puck. He has more offensive upside than Carlo which will play to his benefit. Before last season Moore had never seen top-four minutes. How these two play early on will have a big impact on the Bruins’ season. Even though Moore has more offensive upside, Carlo knows the system. He also has played top-four minutes the past two seasons and has shown he can handle it. How Carlo returns from his injury will determine where he starts the season.

One thing is for sure- watching these two make their case will be an interesting storyline early on.

Keeping Veterans Healthy Will Be Key for Bruins

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The Boston Bruins are coming off one of their most successful regular seasons in recent memory. What made them so good was how well their young players such as Charlie McAvoy and Jake DeBrusk performed. Their veteran players also performed well and were mentors to the Bruins younger players. Next season veterans such as Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci, and Zdeno Chara will be counted on again. Keeping them healthy will be key as all three missed time last season. There are no guarantees over the course of a full season as injuries are part of the game but the Bruins will try their best.

Injured Veterans Last Season

During the 2017-2018 season, Bergeron, Chara, Backes, and Krejci all missed at least nine games. Marchand also missed significant time which was partly due to suspensions. Of that group, Bergeron was the only one to begin the 2017-2018 campaign injured. This season he will start camp healthy which is key at his age. In only 64 regular season games last year he still managed to record 63 points. Before last season he averaged 80 games a year and starting the season healthy should help him return to that number. He is still one of the best centers in the NHL and affects the game in more ways than one when healthy.

Zdeno Chara- Chara is the oldest player on the Bruins roster. Last year he still managed to be the Bruins best defenseman despite his age. The Bruins were able to limit his minutes which kept him fresh. Having Charlie McAvoy as his partner again will also take some pressure off the Bruins captain. Last year he appeared in 73 games his lowest total since the 2014-2015 season. Keeping Chara healthy is not a priority just because of what he does on the ice but also for mentoring the Bruins next wave of talent. He has not only been a mentor for Charlie McAvoy but other Bruins defensemen such as Brandon Carlo and Matt Gryzelcyk. The Bruins will again look to limit their captains minutes when they can as he is not easy to replace.

Photo Credit: Ann-Marie Sorvin- US PressWire

Injury Prone

David Backes- Last season Backes appeared in 57 games his lowest total since the 2012-2013 season. Since signing in Boston he has been a disappointment given that he is making 6 million a year. Last season injuries didn’t make things better especially since some were just bad luck. In order for Backes to bounce back, he will have to stay healthy. Before signing in Boston he was averaging 50 points a season. Returning to those numbers would improve the Bruins depth and in particular their third line.

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David Krejci- Last season Krejci appeared in 64 games and only recorded 44 points. He meshed well with Jake DeBrusk on the Bruins second line. When Krejci is healthy he has the ability to be the Bruins second best center. He is not a thirty goal scorer but has great vision and has had over 40 assists four times in his NHL career. His health was the main reason for his drop off in production. He has been involved heavily in trade rumors this offseason due to his contract. Keeping him healthy is key for the Bruins second line and like Backes, he will be looking to bounce back this season.

Final Thoughts On The Bruins Veterans

Staying healthy is not easy for any player and in particular veteran players. The Bruins well need their veteran players to build on what they accomplished last season. They affect the game in different ways and have their own unique impact. If they can stay healthy then building off last season’s success should not be difficult for this team.

Adam McQuaid’s Role In Boston

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Adam McQuaid has spent his entire nine-year career in Boston. He is not the Bruins top defender or even in the top four. That does not mean he has not been valuable to the Bruins since making his NHL debut in the 2009-2010 season. McQuaid affects the game in many ways that do not show up on a stat sheet. This season he will be fighting for minutes as the Bruins have eight defensemen under contract. The only locks appear to be Torey Krug, Charlie McAvoy, Zdeno Chara, John Moore, and Brandon Carlo. That will leave Kevan Miller, Matt Gryzelcyk, and McQuaid fighting for limited minutes. McQuaid will more than ever need to show the intangibles that have made him so valuable to the Bruins over the years to get consistent minutes.

Where Adam McQuaid Excels

McQuaid is not an offensively gifted defenseman. In his career, he has only scored 13 goals and distributed 53 assists. His best offensive season was 2010-2011 when he had three goals and 12 assists. What separates McQuaid is the way he affects the game with his physical style of play. He is not afraid to throw his body around and often acts as an enforcer on the ice. Last season he had 6 fighting majors which was the most on the Bruins. Four of them came on the road which showed that McQuaid was not afraid to stand up for his teammates regardless of where he was. For that reason, McQuaid has endeared himself to his teammates. It may however not be enough as his offensive liabilities could impact his spot in the lineup.

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Adam McQuaid’s Future In Boston

This season marks the final campaign of McQuaid’s four-year deal. Next off-season the Bruins will have a tough decision to make regarding McQuaid in free agency as a potential trade candidate. Some Bruins who will be free agents include Danton Heinen, Ryan Donato, Charlie McAvoy, and Brandon Carlo. That means McQuaid’s future is bleak as those four will likely be the main priorities next offseason. The Bruins will also have a handful of prospects such as Ryan Fitzgerald entering free agency who will be looking for a significant pay raise next year. The Bruins will want to give their top prospects chances to show what they can do which will impact McQuaid’s playing time.

This season McQuaid will most likely serve as the seventh defenseman. He will make 2.75 million which is expensive for the role he will play. If the Bruins do deal their enforcer to free up salary he could net them a mid-round draft pick. He has shown that he is capable of holding down a bottom pair role and his toughness could interest other teams. That is the unique trait that the Bruins would struggle to replace. Regardless of how the season plays out, McQuaid has created an endearing legacy in Boston. He will be remembered for his toughness and willingness to defend his own teammates. His role in Boston may have diminished but his legacy will not.

Looking Back at the Bruins 2015 Draft

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In the 2015 NHL draft the Boston Bruins had three picks in the first round .They held the rights to the 13th,14th, and 15th overall picks. With those three picks they selected Jakob Zboril, Jake DeBrusk, and Zach Senyshyn. DeBrusk, made his NHL debut last year and is the currently the only one of the three to have made it to the NHL. The other two are close and could contribute to the Bruins soon. They still need more time in Providence but will be given plenty of opportunities. With the NHL season approaching each will play a different role this season as they look to fulfill their draft day expectations of being a 1st round selection.

2015 Draft Picks Review

DeBrusk had an impressive rookie campaign last season. He appeared in 70 games scoring 16 goals while adding 27 assists. He was a force to be reckoned with on the powerplay where he had nine points including two goals. In the playoffs he elevated his game and was not fazed by the increased pressure. In 12 postseason games DeBrusk had 6 six goals tying him for most on the team with Bergeron and Pastrnak. With the season on the line in game 7 against Toronto he had a game to remember. DeBrusk scored the Bruins’ first goal and netted the game winner. The former first round pick was not just a fan favorite because of his performance but because of the passion he showed on the ice. It was a very promising beginning to what could be a special career.

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Jakub Zboril

With the 13th pick in the 2015 draft the Bruins took defenseman Jakob Zboril. Unlike Debrusk, Zboril’s career has not gotten off to an easy start. At his first training camp he seemed lost and was still battling a knee injury. After a rocky start Zboril has begun to show the tools that made him a first round pick. Zboril does not have the offensive ceiling of Charlie McAvoy or Torey Krug. That being said he does possess good skating skills and is not afraid to sacrifice his body. He is also excellent on the powerplay. Despite his progress it is unlikely he will make the team out of camp as the Bruins already have eight defenseman under contract. Early on it seemed like Zboril may turn into a bust but he has silenced that notion. With Chara likely retiring sooner rather than later the Bruins will need a top defenseman alongside McAvoy and the Bruins are hoping it’s Zboril.

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Zach Senyshyn

The Bruins took Senyshyn 15th overall with their final pick in the first round. In Senyshyn’s two years with the Sault Marie Greyhounds he had back to back 65 point seasons. In his first year in Providence last season he had only 26 points. He is known for his speed and scoring touch but was streaky last season in Providence. Even when he struggled he did not let that detract from the other areas of his game. There is a significant amount of pressure on Senyshyn as he is the centerpiece of the Dougie Hamilton trade. Like Zboril he will need another year in Providence before he is ready. Senyshyn is still adjusting to the pro game and will need to be less streaky. The talent is there and he could be a fixture on the Bruins top lines for years to come.

Photo Credit: Greg M. Cooper- USA Today Sports

Judging The Bruins’ 2015 Draft

With Zboril and Senyshyn likely to start this season in Providence it is still too early to judge them. DeBrusk was the exception and showed that he has the potential necessary to make a major impact moving forward. If Zboril and Senyshyn can live up to the expectations of being a first round pick then Sweeney will look like a genius. Watching these two develop this season will be a storyline to keep an eye on. They both could very well be centerpieces of the roster for years to come.

Can The Bruins Repeat The Scoring Output of Last Season?

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Last season, the Bruins surpassed all expectations by finishing with 112 points. They were led by their youth, which will again be a huge factor next season. Netting 112 points is no easy task and this team will have to come together again to repeat that success.

The 2018-2019 season will see the debut off more highly regarded Bruins prospects. They will have a solid group of veterans to learn from, including Patrice Bergeron, Zdeno Chara, and Torey Krug. The Bruins will be battling with Tampa Bay, an improved Toronto team, and the Florida Panthers who could push for a wild card spot. Repeating last year’s success is not impossible, considering the strength of the Bruins core and how players such as Jake DeBrusk and Danton Heinen flourished last season.

Bruins Veterans

One reason for the Bruins success last season was their 2011 Stanley Cup core. They showed that they still have at least one more run left in them. Patrice Bergeron continued to be one of the best centers in the league. Zdeno Chara was still the Bruins best defenseman due to the fact the Bruins limited his minutes. The 2017-2018 team also saw the continued improvement of Torey Krug. He had a career high 59 points and improved tremendously on defensive. These veterans were complemented by rookies who have become fan favorites after one season. The Bruins new core was formed in shadows of the last championship core.

Photo Credit: by Stuart Cahill

Key Pieces Take the Next Step

Last season, DeBrusk and Charlie McAvoy showed why scouts held them in such high regard as prospects. Despite missing 19 regular season games, McAvoy established himself as the most important player on the Bruins’ defense. DeBrusk showed a flare for the dramatic and made the Bruins second line dangerous. Next year, they will only be better, which is bad news for the rest of the league. Heinen also played in his first full NHL season and showed that he could contribute on the second or third line. After years of anticipation, these players lived up to the hype with only more to come.

Photo Credit: Jimmy Golen, The Associated Press

Advantage Of Youth

Next season, Bruins prospects such as Jakob Forsbacka Karlsoon, Zach Senyshn, and Jakub Zaburil will be looking to make a similar impact. Last year, the Bruins rookies gave the team a jolt of energy that had been missing in recent years. They played with a edge and had a knack for making comebacks when it seemed unlikely. The Bruins will carry that mentality into this upcoming season. There will be growing pains along the way with these young players. But as DeBrusk and McAvoy showed, those growing pains often lead to better results. That is what made the Bruins so good last year.

Photo Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Why The Bruins Can Get 112 Points Again

Repeating last year’s numbers is a lot of pressure to place on any team. This offseason, the Bruins have not made any significant upgrades. Their biggest move was inking defenseman John Moore to a five-year deal. They still have the best line in hockey in Bergeron, Brad Marchand, and David Pastrnak. The Bruins young core will only get better with experience. Tampa Bay and Toronto improved in the offseason and will battle the Bruins all season.

The Bruins are returning the majority of last years roster, which knew a thing or two about proving people wrong. Their postseason run came to an abrupt end last season and they will be looking for revenge. Next year, they will again be looking to surpass whatever expectations are placed on them.

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Bruins Youth Movement Key To The Future

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Last season, the Boston Bruins were lead by their youth movement. Next season will be no different as the Bruins system is stacked for years to come. Last season saw the debuts of Ryan Donato, Jake DeBrusk, Danton Heinen, and Matt Gryzelcyk. All four players showed that they could play at the NHL level, which is partly why the Bruins have not been active on the trade front this offseason.

Returning to the playoffs next year will be no easy task. The Maple Leafs have improved, Tampa Bay is still very good, and the Florida Panthers could be a sleeper playoff team. The Bruins still have the one of the best young cores in the NHL, ready to lead them again next season.

Stanley Cup Core

The Bruins Stanley Cup core from 2011 still remains. They are not in their primes but have meshed perfectly with the Bruins young players. The Bruins top line of Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak, and Patrice Bergeron is one of the best lines in hockey. Bergeron battled injuries last season, but he is still one of the best centers in the league. Zdeno Chara is not the player he once was but he is the perfect mentor for young players, such as Brandon Carlo and Charlie McAvoy. David Krejci battled injuries last year, but played well with Jake DeBrusk when healthy. What made the Bruins so good last season was how the veterans and young players came together.

Photo Credit: Maddie Meyer/ Getty Images

Bruins Youth Movement

The 2018-2019 season could see the debuts of more Bruins top prospects. That list includes Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson, Jakub Zboril, and Zach Senyshyn. All three players are on the Bruins roster and will be looking to make their case in camp. The Bruins will have Trent Frederic, Ryan Fitzgerald, Jack Studnicka, and Jeremy Lauzon in Providence. They still need more experience, but could be contributors at the NHL level in the near future.

The Bruins are not only set for years to come due to their depth in Providence. They have David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand under club control for the next five years on team friendly deals as well. They re-signed center Sean Kuraly this offseason to a three year deal worth $1.2 million per year. It will be hard for the Bruins to re-sign everyone especially starting next offseason. Both McAvoy and Brandon Carlo will be free agents. The McAvoy deal will be more expensive than Carlo, as no one else on the Bruins roster affects the game like McAvoy does. Danton Heinen and Ryan Donato who will also be restricted free agents at the end of next season.

Photo Credit: Amalie Benjamin NHL.com

Salary Cap

Donato and Heinen will not be as expensive to resign as McAvoy. Donato will most likely receive a “prove it” deal, similar to that of Matt Grzelcyk, as he will only have one full season of NHL experience. Jake DeBrusk won’t be a free agent until the 2020-2021 offseason, but he is already key to this team.

The Bruins will have to be creative to keep their young core together. Although it will not be easy, the Bruins have the advantage. Not every prospect will pan out and some could be used as trade chips. Don Sweeney has the one problem every GM only dreams of.

Bruins Fourth Line: A Memorable Run

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Last season, the Bruins had one of the best fourth lines in recent memory. The trio of Sean Kuraly, Tim Schaller, and Noel Acciari drew comparisons to the Bruins 2011 fourth line. That trio of Daniel Paille, Gregory Campbell, and Shawn Thornton was key in the Bruins championship run. Last season didn’t end in a Stanley Cup for the Bruins, but the fourth line was valuable in many ways. Schaller signed with Vancouver in free agency, but Kuraly and Acciari will look to make the same impact next season.

Comparisons to The Merlot Line

The line’s value was not just measured in statistics, but also in how they affected the game . Whenever the Bruins needed a momentum shift, Bruce Cassidy called on them. All three players were vital on the Bruins penalty kill, which was the third best in the NHL. The trio combined for five shorthanded points. They had a “defense first” attitude, which allowed for offensive counter opportunities. They grinded on every shift. The trio was not as physical as the “Merlot Line,” but they were still willing to throw their bodies around. Their play set a new standard for the fourth line.

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By The Numbers

Last season, the trio combined for 30 goals. Kuraly was the only one of the three to not score at least ten goals. Since the departure of the “Merlot Line,” the Bruins had struggled to get production from their fourth line. As the NHL has become faster, the Bruins had struggled to adapt. These three were not just willing to throw their bodies around, but also could fly up and down the ice. Through their first 23 games together, they allowed just four goals, including two on 5-5 action. They were trusted against other team’s top lines, which allowed the Bruins forwards more rest. All three were undrafted and played with a chip on their shoulder.

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Expectations For Next Season

In the playoffs, this line was just as good. Through the first six games of the first round, the trio were in the top three in terms of points per minutes amongst the Bruins forwards. Next year, the line will look different with the departure of Schaller in free agency. Kuraly and Acciari will bring the same energy and improve as they gain more experience. Even though one-third of the trio is gone, they reminded Bruins fans just how valuable the fourth line can be.

Making the Case: Charlie McAvoy’s Importance to Boston

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Over the last two years the Bruins have seen the highly anticipated debuts of multiple prospects. Talented forwards such as Jake DeBrusk, Danton Heinen, and Ryan Doanto made their mark last season. The season before saw the debut one of the most hyped prospects with the Bruins facing injuries in the playoffs. That player is Charlie McAvoy, and he is expected to lead the Bruins’ next core. McAvoy has appeared in 81 NHL games, including the playoffs over the last two seasons. He has already shown that he is one of the best young players in the NHL and the most important player on the Bruins roster.

College Days

The Bruins drafted McAvoy 14th overall in the 2016 NHL Draft out of Boston University. In two seasons as a Terrier he had eight goals and 43 assists. During the 2016 season he became the first BU defenseman to lead the team in points and assists since Matt Gilroy did in 2009. McAvoy was not just impressive on the college level. While playing for team USA, he led all-USA defenseman in points, goals, and assists during the 2014-2015 season. His smooth skating and play making ability were on display which is what makes him unique. Going into the draft he was one of only two U.S. hockey players to receive an A rating.

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McAvoy Makes His Debut

Charlie McAvoy was the most hyped Bruins prospect in recent memory. He made his NHL debut during the 2016-2017 playoffs as both Torey Krug and Brandon Carlo were injured. In six games he had three assists, including two on the powerplay. The Bruins showed their faith in him by placing McAvoy on the first powerplay unit. He did not seem overwhelmed by the playoff stage and the expectations surrounding his debut. McAvoy did not look like a rookie but a seasoned player. This created even more excitement for the 2017-2018 season as he was one of the main reasons the Bruins made it such as close series.

Photo Credit: Maddie Meyer/ Getty Images

His First Full Season

In McAvoy’s first full season he had seven goals and 25 assists. On the powerplay McAvoy had two goals and five assists. In 12 playoff games he had five points including his first career playoff goal. McAvoy was paired with Chara on Bruins top defensive unit and they became one of the most formidable pairings in the NHL. McAvoy is the best player on the Bruins roster because of how he affects the ice on both ends. He shows a poise that is rare for someone of his age. He has drawn high praise for his offensive capabilities but showed improvement defensively under Chara’s guidance. No other Bruins defenseman has his ceiling or affects the game in both ends. He will only be better next year and assuming McAvoy stays healthy he should set career highs in goals and assists. With Chara set to retire soon, McAvoy will assume his spot as the Bruins top defenseman and he will be critical to the Bruins success for years to come.

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Anders Bjork Looking To Make His Mark

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The Boston Bruins had high expectations for Anders Bjork heading into last season. The former fifth round pick appeared in only 30 games and recorded 12 points. On February 20th, the Bruins rookie underwent left shoulder shoulder, which ended his season. Bjork was forced to a watch as the Bruins made the playoffs and fellow rookies Danton Heinen and Jake DeBrusk had breakout seasons. Next season, Bjork will be highly motivated as he looks to make his mark. When healthy, he spent time on the Bruins top two lines, which speaks to how much the organization believed in him. It will not be easy, but if Bjork can play to his potential, the Bruins will find a spot for him.

Expectations For Anders Bjork

When the Bruins first drafted Bjork in the fifth round of the 2015 draft, he drew comparisons to David Pastrnak. He can play both ways and lrelies on his speed, much like Pastrnak. While at Notre Dame, he improved his game every year to become an elite scorer by his junior season. His creativity, strength, and agility is what makes him so hard to defend. In his junior season, he broke out with 21 goals and 31 assists, including five powerplay goals. When the Bruins drafted the Notre Dame product, he was seen as possible second line winger. After an impressive developmental camp, the Bruins slotted him on the second line.

Photo Credit: Winslow Townson/ AP Photo

Bjork Makes His NHL Debut

The Notre Dame product got off to a hot start in his first NHL season. Bjork began the 2017-2018 season on the Bruins second line with David Krejci and David Pastrnak. In his first 11 game, the former fifth round pick had seven points. He also saw time on the powerplay as he notched two points on the man advantage through the first six games. Bjork then began to struggle; through all of December, he recorded only three points on two goals. Due to the slump, the Bruins sent him back to Providence to regroup. The move appeared to be beneficial; in nine games, he amassed four points. The Notre Dame product returned to the Bruins on January 25th, but his stay was brief.

Photo Credit: Brian Fluharty- USA TODAY Sports

Season Ending Injury

Upon his return, Bjork would only appear in two games before surgery ended his season. Going into next year, the will be more motivated than ever. He will also see competition in the form of other Bruins prospects (eg, Zach Senyshyn) who are close to being NHL ready. Bjork still could make an impact in Boston as she showed flashes of his scoring ability last season. Health and consistency will be key for the former fifth pick as he looks to establish himself after a rookie season to forget.

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