Tag Archives: NHL Bruins

Bruins Extend Sean Kuraly

So far this offseason the Bruins have lost three key players from last years team. Those players are Riley Nash, Tim Schaller, and Anton Khudobin. Yesterday the Bruins were able to resign one of their key pieces on the fourth line. The Bruins and Sean Kuraly agreed on a three year extension worth 1.25 million annually. Kuraly showed his value last year in his first full NHL season. He is not a thirty goal scorer but his gritty play makes him invaluable to the Bruins on the bottom lines.

How The Bruins Got Kuraly

The Bruins acquired Kuraly in the 2015 offseason from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for Martin Jones. Boston had acquired Jones hoping he would backup Rask but he wanted to be the starter. The Sharks also sent Boston a first round pick which would turn into Trent Frederic who is one of Boston’s highly touted prospects. This trade has worked out well for both sides and could end up being better for the Bruins depending on Frederic’s impact.

Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Kuraly’s Makes His Debut

Kuraly made his NHL debut during the 2016-2017 season appearing in eight regular season games. He had only one point in the regular season but in the playoffs had a significant impact. In Game 5 with the Bruins facing elimination Kuraly had two goals including the game winner. Kuraly’s heroics would force a game six which the Bruins would lose eliminating them from the playoffs. The former fifth round pick would carry that disappoint into this past season.

Photo Credit: Matt Kalman, CBS Boston

A Solid Rookie Season

During the 2017-2018 season Kuraly appeared in 75 games mostly appearing on the fourth line. He had six goals along with nine assists as the Bruins fourth line became a fan favorite. He was not afraid of taking the body and his style of play was perfect for the Bruins fourth line. In the playoffs he was again productive as he had two goals and two assists. In game one against Toronto he had a truly unbelievable goal in which he batted a puck out of the air into the net. Next season the expectations will be even higher for the former fifth round pick.

Photo Credit:Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

What To Expect Next Season

With the departure of Riley Nash to Columbus Kuraly is a candidate to take his spot on the third line. The Bruins showed faith the center by extending him to a reasonable contract. So far this offseason the Bruins have prioritized depth which was reflected in extending Kuraly. He will never score 30 goals but he could see a boast in points if he does end up on the third line. Kuraly has shown that he will leave it all on the ice and next year will be no different.

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Making The Case: Jake DeBrusk To Lead Bruins In Points This Season

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Jake DeBrusk showed that he was a star in the making during his rookie season. As the season progressed, his game evolved and his impact was felt almost every night. He proved to mesh well with David Krejci and was not afraid of sacrificing his body. In the playoffs, the former first round pick brought his game to the next level. Next season, the expectations will be higher for the second line winger. DeBrusk has the talent to be an elite scorer and will lead the Bruins in points next season. You heard it here first.

Offensive ability

In his first season, DeBrusk had 16 goals and 23 assists. He finished sixth in points on the team – only one point behind Krejci and four behind fellow rookie Danton Heinen. However, DeBrusk played in seven games fewer than Heinen due to injuries and there’s no debating that he has more offensive upside.

There are multiple reasons why the former first-round pick can lead this team in scoring. Last season, he played in nine games in which he amassed more than one point. On the powerplay, DeBrusk was as efficient as they come, netting two goals and collecting nine points. He also possesses a tremendous shot and displayed the ability to create his own scoring chances.

But it’s the things that don’t show up on the stat sheet that really set DeBrusk apart. The film doesn’t lie; he is always looking for the puck and when he doesn’t have it, he is viciously fighting for it. It’s all heart with this kid, a rare and unteachable trait in many rookies.

Boston Bruins Jake DeBrusk . (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Excellence in The Playoffs

The former first-round pick truly broke out in the playoffs. In the first round, he torched the opposition with five goals and seven total points. DeBrusk continued to impress on the powerplay, as four of his seven points came on the man advantage. In Game Seven against Toronto, DeBrusk showed just how far he had come. The left winger scored two goals, including the game-winning wrister in which he took advantage of an out-of-position Toronto defenseman and beat Frederik Andersen through the five-hole.

In six of those seven games, he recorded at least one point. He was one of the main reasons the Bruins advanced to the second round.

Photo Credit: Greg M. Cooper- USA TODAY Sports

The Future is Only Brighter

In the second round, the Bruins were eliminated by Tampa Bay in disappointing fashion. Their playoff exit will serve as motivation for next season, and DeBrusk will be ready to roll. He went from being a rookie to arguably one of the Bruins most important pieces in less than a full season.

Next year, he will surprise everybody and lead the team in points. With a year of experience under his belt, the sophomore campaign will be an exciting sequel. This past season, Brad Marchand had the most points on the team. In the 2018-2019 season, look for the second line winger to rise up among the ranks.

What to Expect from Ryan Donato in Year Two

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Toward the end of the 2017-2018 season, Bruins prized prospect Ryan Donato fulfilled his dream. The highly regarded Harvard product made his NHL debut last season for the Bruins, appearing in twelve games. In those twelve games he showed all the skills that have NHL scouts high on the Massachusetts native. Next season will be a big test for the young center as he will experience the grind of a full NHL season. If Donato can continue to play like he did during his first NHL stint, then next year could be a big season for the Harvard product.

The Rise of Ryan Donato

Donato played on team USA in the 2018 Winter Olympics and showcased his skills. He displayed elite scoring ability as he tallied six points, including five goals, in five games. He showed excellent hockey instinct and poise beyond his age. Donato impressed his teammates and the USA coach, Tony Granato, who raved about the maturity of the young center. When asked about Donato, Granato said, “He’s grown up in NHL locker rooms, he’s seen everything about it. He gets it.”

After the Olympics, Donato continued to impressive at Harvard amid a stellar season. When the Bruins were hit with the injury bug Donato’s play forced the Bruins to give the Massachusetts native a chance. Donato finally got is opportunity when Rick Nash went down with a lower body injury.

Photo Credit: Matt West

Injuries Force the Bruins Hand

Donato made his NHL debut on March 19th against the Columbus Blue Jackets, and made it one to be remembered. The Harvard product did not look like a rookie as he had a goal and two assists. Donato was impressive on the power play as he stood in front of the net with no fear. On the man advantage Donato had two goals and two assists in twelve games. The Harvard product finished the regular season with five goals and four assists, justifying the hype surrounding him.

Photo Credit: Sports Field

Expectations for Ryan Donato in Year Two

In the playoffs Donato did not see much ice time as he only played in three of the Bruins’ twelve games. That will motivate the young center next season. Donato will possibly play on the Bruins second or third line, depending on the offseason moves the Bruins make. The expectations next year will be higher as he gains more NHL experience. Donato has the skill set and maturity to be a very productive NHL player and proved last year that he is ready. He will be a threat on the power play due to his hockey instinct. Over twelve games Donato showed his offensive potential leaving fans imagining what he can do over the course of a full season.

NHL Draft 2018

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WELCOME TO BOSTON

Today was day two of the 2018 NHL Draft, and the Bruins made some pretty decent picks. After coming out empty-handed in a “painful” first round, Boston wasted no time in selecting some new faces. With the 57th pick, the Bruins selected Sweden’s Axel Andersson. Next, Jakub Lauko from the Czech Republic was selected. The Bruins’ third pick is American Curtis Hall. Canadian Dustyn McFaul was selected for the 181th pick, and Russian Pavel Shen was their final pick.

SWEDEN

18 year old Axel Andersson was Bruins’ first pick in the second round. At 6’0″ and 183lbs, this blue line defenseman shoots right and describes his playing style as:

“I’m a two way defenseman with some-read the game well and have a good shot and a good passer.”

He spent the last two years playing for the Djurgarden Jr. team in the SuperElit. Axel is ranked 27th on the NHL scouting in Europe. This past season he had a plus 14 rating, netting six goals and 25 assists, earning 31 points in 42 games.

In 2016-2017, he had a plus seven rating with three goals and eight assists (11 points) in 29 games. Prior to that season, he played in 21 games for team Sodertalje SK J18; he had nine assists and a plus 15 rating. Andersson also recently won the bronze metal with Team Sweden in the Under 18 World Junior Championship, where he recorded two assists in seven games.

CZECH REPUBLIC

In their second pick in the third round, Boston selected 6′, 179 lbs 18 year old center Jakub Lauko. The Czech forward is ranked 20th in the NHL scouting for European skaters. A speedy and tenacious skater, Lauko likens himself to Dylan Larkin as a player. On being a Bruin:

“It’s one of the biggest moments in my life so far and I really enjoyed it… I really appreciate it and really thankful to Boston organization that they drafted me.”

STATS

He spent two season on the Chomutov team in the Czech Republic. This past season he had three goals and six assists in 42 games. In the playoffs, he had one goal and two assists. In the Pirati Under 16 team, Lauko had a plus-28 rating. He potted 26 goals with 35 assists for 61 points. With the 2015-2016 Under 18 team, he had a plus-seven rating with 22 points in 29th games.

In the 2017-2018 Under 18 Czech team, he had six goals and one assist for a total of seven points. In the World Junior Championship, he had one goal in six games. For the Under 18 World Junior Team, he had six points in seven games.

USA

Yale-bound Curtis Hall is the Bruins’ third pick (119th overall) and is described as a big, strong center. At 6’3, 201 lbs the New Jersey Native has recently played for the Youngstown Phantoms. He is currently 60th in the NHL Scouting in North America. The young 18 year old likens his playing style after David Backes.

STATS

He registered 13 goals and 18 assists in 54 games playing in the 2017-2018 season. In the playoff games, he earned a plus three rating with three goals and three assists. In 2016-2017, he earned a plus-seven rating with seven goals and 14 assists. While skating for the Cleveland Barons Under 16 in the T1EHL (2015-2016), he netted ten goals with 24 assists.

Hall also played in the Team USA Under 18 team, where he registered three goals and on assist. And lastly, in the 2018 Under 19 World Junior A Challenge, he had one goal and an assist in five games.

CANADA

As the 181th pick, the Bruins selected defenseman Dustyn McFaul. The 17 Year old Ontario native stands at 6’2″, 188lbs and shoots left. Awarded the OJHL First Team All Prospect, McFaul ranks 164th in the NHL Central scouting among skaters. Playing recently for the Pickering Panthers, he netted four goals, with 15 assists in 38 game played. He secured a scholarship to Clarkson University, who has one the top Division 1 hockey programs in the NCAA. His recent coach David DeMarinis had this to say:

“He’s been our rock on the back-end… been playing about 26 minutes a night… [he’s] poised back there. It’s the fine details of his game that are really impressive.”

In the OHL Cup, McFaul registered two assists in the four games he played. IN the Triple A minors, he had two goals and eight assists in the 36 games he played.

RUSSIA

At 6’1″, 183lbs, the Russian center Pavel Shen (described as a “competitive and highly skilled forward”) is their final pick. The 18-year-old has spent most time the MHL for the Mamonty-Yugry team. However, he has played in the KHL for a little bit with team Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk.

STATS

He currently ranks 32nd in the NHL Central Scouting for EU players. In the 2017-2018 season in the MHL (Molodyozhnaya Hokkeinaya Liga) he registered 12 goals, 14 assists in 29 games played, earning a plus 10 rating. For the KHL, he had two goals in 29 games. Shen also participated in the International Junior Russian Under 20 team playing three games with no goals or assists.

Playing for the Under 16 team, Shen netted 27 goals and 18 assists in the 35 games he played. He also had some nice numbers for the Under 17 team; in the 28 games played, he had ten goals with eight assists.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Bruins GM Don Sweeney made some nice moves in this year’s draft. Securing these young players will only add depth to the Bruins Roster. Hopefully, we’ll see some of the speed these players offer in the NHL real soon.

What J.G. Pageau Would Bring to Boston

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With the Stanley Cup Playoffs over the NHL offseason is in full swing for all NHL teams. The Bruins show up in many trade rumors as the NHL draft is only two days away. Most of the talk has centered around them improving their defense or moving veteran pieces such as David Backes and David Krejci. General Manager Don Sweeney has no first round pick and it there are rumors that he is trying to acquire one. One name connected to the Bruins is Senators center J. G. Pageau.

Who Is J.G. Pageau?

Pageau had a productive 2017- 2018 season in which he scored fourteen goals along with fifteen assists. He centered Ottawa’s third line and appeared in 78 games. The Senators drafted him in the fourth round of the 2011 NHL draft. Pageau’s best season was the 2015-2016 season when he scored a career high 19 goals and had 24 assists. The former fourth round pick is an above average skater who has a low cap hit of $3.1 million. He could an under the radar move for the Bruins that could make a significant impact.

Photo Credit: Jean Levac/ Ottowa Citizen

Where Would Pageau Fit in Boston?

The Bruins first two lines barring any trade are already seem set for the upcoming season. The top line of Bergeron, Marchand, and Pastrnak was the deadliest in hockey last season. Assuming David Krejci is not traded, he will center the second line with Jake DeBrusk, Ryan Donato or David Backes. Pageau would fit into the Bruins third or fourth line as Sean Kuraly has yet to sign a new contract. The B’s do have some promising centers in Providence, however, Pageau could serve as a veteran presence as they continue to develop. To acquire Pageau the Bruins would not have to part with a key piece like Jake DeBrusk.

Photo Credit: DansLesCoulisses.com

What Would He Bring to the Table?

During the playoffs, the Bruins struggled to get production from their bottom lines which exposed their depth. Pageau would be a veteran piece to help improve the Bruins bottom lines. Pageau was impressive in this years playoffs as he had ten goals in 19 games. He has a flare for the dramatics as he has two game winning goals in the playoffs. Acquiring him would not be the big trade many Bruins fans are looking for, but it would be an under the radar move that would improve the Bruins depth for the upcoming season.

Brandon Carlo Primed to Rebound

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For two straight seasons the Boston Bruins have made the playoffs. Unfortunately, top-four defenseman Brandon Carlo was injured during both of those appearances. Carlo appeared in 82 games during the 2016-2017 season before a concussion ended his season. This past season he appeared in 76 games before fracturing his ankle. After a solid rookie campaign, Carlo struggled at times throughout the 2017- 2018 season. Before his injury it seemed that he was turning it around as the Bruins made their playoff push.

Brandon Carlo’s Rookie Season

In Brandon Carlo’s rookie season he was usually paired with Zdeno Chara. The former second round pick performed well, as in 82 games he scored six goals along with ten assists. Before making his NHL debut, Carlo had appeared in only seven games for the Providence Bruins. He surpassed everyone’s expectations and gave the Bruins the stability they had lacked. He has a strong skating ability and also does very well moving the puck. The 2017-2018 season did not go as well for the former second round pick.

Photo Credit: Emily Sadler

Carlo Struggles in His Sophomore Campaign

Offensively, Carlo took a step back in the 2017-2018 season. He did not score a goal and had only six assists. He took only 76 shots, which was twelve less than he took in his rookie season. Carlo was not as impactful offensively as he was during his rookie season but he was still valuable to the Bruins. His plus minus improved this past season despite not being paired with his mentor, Zdeno Chara. The former second round pick will never put up offensive numbers like his fellow defensemen Torey Krug and Charlie McAvoy. Carlo does not have their offensive upside or power play opportunities. The Bruins do not need him or expect to make that type of offensive impact.

Photo Credit: Fluto Shinzawa/ Boston Globe

Can He Rebound?

Like many young players Carlo still has some growing pains to go through. This is also due to the fact that he has virtually no AHL experience. Carlo possesses a very good skating ability and an offensive game that can improve. He needs to improve his decision-making and handling of the puck. His injury prevented him from a strong finish as he had looked better as the season was winding down. Next season will be an important one for the former second round pick and he will be more motivated than ever. Staying healthy for the playoffs will be key and Bruins fans may finally get to see what he can do in the postseason.

Boston Bruins- the Grizz Is Back

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Late Friday Night, the Boston Bruins announced that they signed restricted free agent Matt Grzelcyk to a two-year deal worth $2.8 million. The Charlestown native will be signed through the 2019-202 season.

BY THE NUMBERS

This past season, the 24-year-old defenseman had quite the season, if not impressive for a rookie. As one of the many first-year players that made an impact, Grzelcyk tallied up three goals and 12 assists over 61 games. During the Stanley Cup playoff run, he had one assist. At just 5’9″, 174 lbs, the defenseman looks to add some strength to his game:

“Getting in the weight room is obviously huge for me, like it is every offseason,” Grzelcyk said. “I think just quite a bit of confidence going into next year, and trying to earn a spot again, that hasn’t changed.”

A third-round pick for the Bruins in 2012, Grzelcyk spent his first season in Providence. In this past season, “Grizz” played alongside veteran defenseman Kevin Miller, adding some much-needed depth on the blue line. During the regular season, he logged 16:44 ice time minutes; in the playoffs, he averaged 15:56 minutes on ice. Grzelcyk also scored his first NHL goal this past season.

First @NHL goal for Boston-area kid, Matt Grzelcyk! 🚨 pic.twitter.com/b8Xovq9KNO

— NBC Sports Hockey (@NBCSportsHockey) November 24, 2017

A LEARNING EXPERIENCE

Boston’s playoff run has been talked about, analyzed and dissected. No matter which way you look at it, this Bruins team will be quite the force this coming season. For Matt Grzelcyk, the Tampa series was one to reflect on, particularly the third game. For the defenseman, an unfortunate puck “hop” led to an opening goal by Tampa Bay. Grzelyck had the puck at his feet, however, because of that hop, he found himself spinning back towards the blue line. The puck, still bouncing, was fed to Tampa’s Ondrej Palat who was able to beat Rask on his high blocker side, sending it into the back of the net. A rough start in a tough series, but Grizz made no excuses:

“Yeah, just trying to gap up, [and] the puck kind of felt like it backspun on me on the ice. I thought it maybe went behind me. I just took my eye off the puck I guess and they capitalized because they’re a good team..Obviously not the way you want to start the game and that was just tough bouncing back after that.’’

NEW SEASON, NEW START

As GM Don Sweeney continues to make some key decisions affecting the Bruins roster, there’s was that question: would he bring back Grzelcyk? After all, he was going to be an RFA at the end of the season. Then came the good news: the Bruins re-signed Grzelcyk for two more years. Boston is continuing its focus on the youth movement by keeping Grizz. It’s always good to see a Boston native play for their home team, and fans alike see #48 at the Garden for a little longer.

Welcome back, Kid

Providence Bruins- Getting to Know Connor Clifton

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In the leading months the NHL regular season, the Bruins have been positioning themselves into becoming a dominant force in 2018. And to become a contender, you have to not only look at your current roster, but also develop your AHL prospects. In a league where every player is competing for a spot in the big leagues, how do you make a big enough impact for the NHL to take notice? For New Jersey native Connor Clifton, making that impact has been an improving steady climb.

BACKGROUND

The 23-year-old defenseman recently played for the Quinnipiac University Bobcats. Drafted in 2013 by the Arizona Coyotes, Clifton wasn’t able to make much of an impact and ultimately parted ways with the team. The Bruins quickly signed him in 2017, and he’s played in Providence since then. He continues to improve steadily, so much so that the Bruins recently signed him to a two-year NHL deal worth $725,000 per year.

Prior to signing with the Bruins, he joined the U.S. National Development Team in 2011. He was later invited back to the team where he played alongside Frank Vatrano and Anders Bjork. He was also teammates with a young Jack Eichel and Dylan Larkin.

BOBCATS

In 2013, Clifton attended Quinnipiac University in Connecticut, where he played alongside his brother, Tim. During his freshman year, he posted five goals with four assists in 36 games. The 43rd captain in Bobcats history played in 43 games and potted seven goals and 21 assists. During Quinnipiac’s run in the 2016 NCAA Frozen Four playoffs, Clifton nicely showed his defensive presence as he laid out North Dakota forward Austin Pogorski in a clean shoulder to shoulder hit:

https://vine.co/v/iTqe2vFu5jv

That year was he received ECAC Hockey All-Tournament Team honors and was awarded Most Outstanding Player of the tournament. He was also named to the 2016 NCAA East All-Frozen Four Team and named Quinnipiac’s Male Athlete of the Month. He ended his college career totaling 19 goals, 37 assists and 56 points in 156 NCAA games. Bobcats’ head coach Rand Pecknold had this to say about Clifton:

“Connor was the heart and soul of our team. His character and commitment to excellence is outstanding. We wish him all the best as he moves forward with his professional career.”

PROVIDENCE

In his first year with Providence, Clifton played in 54 games with four goals and nine assists and had a +11 plus/minus rating. On Dec 9^th, 2017 the young defenseman scored his first professional NHL goal:

Check out Connor Clifton's first pro goal!! #LetsGoBruins pic.twitter.com/DONr2icRG4

— Providence Bruins (@AHLBruins) December 10, 2017

Clifton ended the last 26 games left in the season with ten points and a +11 rating. Could he make an appearance in the NHL this season? There’s lots of competition with the likes of recently signed Urho Vaakanainen, Jakub Zboril, and Jeremy Lauzon. For someone like Connor, he’ll have to continue to make a name for himself down in Providence. With his rugged defensive playing skills, Clifton will no doubt be a player to watch out for.

“A Rookie Season to Remember” By Jake DeBrusk

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In his rookie season Jake DeBrusk showed the skills that made him a first round pick. DeBrusk had a very good regular season but broke out in the playoffs. For the Bruins he was tied for the most playoff goals with six along with Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak. Going into next season the expectations will be higher for the former fourteenth overall pick. In the postseason he showed he could elevate his game at the highest level. His sophomore campaign has the chance to be even better.

The Impact Of Jake DeBrusk

Coming into the 2017-2018 season the Bruins expected a lot from DeBrusk. In the 2015 NHL draft he was one of the Bruins three first round picks. Of those three he is the first one to make it to the NHL. The Bruins put him on the second line to begin the season alongside David Krejci and David Pastrnak. The Bruins eventually elevated Pastrnak to the first line alongside Bergeron and Brad Marchand. DeBrusk proved to be a perfect for the second line and David Krejci. He is a playmaker with grit something the Bruins second line had been lacking. This showed in his statistics.

Photo Credit: Matt Stone

DeBrusk’s Rookie season By The Numbers

DeBrusk appeared in seventy games for the Black and Gold. He scored sixteen goals along with twenty seven assists. DeBrusk proved to be a weapon on the powerplay as he had nine points on the second power play unit. The former first round pick is not afraid to attack especially when the Bruins are down which is rare for a rookie. In the playoffs he took his game to a new level.

A Playoff Run To Remeber

Throughout the playoffs Debrusk did not seemed fazed by the playoff stage. As fellow rookies Danton Heinen and Charlie McAvoy struggled at times DeBrusk did not. In game seven against the Toronto Maple Leafs he scored two goals including the game winner. DeBrusk’s game winner was impressive considering that he was leveled as soon as he released the puck. In the playoffs great players rise to the occasion which is what DeBrusk did. The playoffs showed how far the rookie had come and the impactful player he will be.

Photo Credit: Tara Sullivan, Boston Globe

What To Expect Next Year

Going into the 2018-2019 season Debrusk will be key for the Bruins. If DeBrusk can continue to improve then the Bruins will have a dominant top two lines. In DeBrusk’s rookie season he showed that he can be a very special player. Reaching the twenty goal plateau next season should not be a hard challenge as his chemistry with Krejci improves. His encore could be one to remember as he has the skills to become something truly special.

TRADE RUMORS-BOSTON BRUINS

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GETTING A HEAD START

After the recent NHL combine that’s was held in Buffalo, NY, many prospective draft picks were closely monitored. The Boston Bruins interviewed close to 80 potential players, but one thing has been lurking on GM Don Sweeney’s mind: to get the first round pick back. As we near the June 22^nd NHL draft day, there’s been a lot of rumblings throughout the organization on possible trades for the upcoming season. Let’s take a closer look at some of those rumors.

OPEN MARKET

For the Bruins, getting the higher draft pick position back will be difficult. Another question facing Boston: who should they keep? One name that’s being brought up is Rick Nash. He missed the last 12 regular season games and in the playoff run, recorded three goals and two assists on 39 shots. With limited internal options, Sweeney looks to re-sign Nash, perhaps on a deal that would be cap friendly:

“ Rick indicated when he came to Boston that he was excited about the opportunity. He wants to win… wants an opportunity to win. He felt badly and certainly he’s not responsible for this, because he got injured. It took away a little juice from him..I think..from a size and puck protection standpoint, he gave us something that was maybe missing in that regard.”

ELSEWHERE

Austin Czarnik, who spent most of his career in AHL with Providence , is starting to look elsewhere. But the Bruins are still open in talks with the young center.

“ We certainly haven’t closed the door. I don’t think he has as well, but I would be surprise if he doesn’t get to at least see what may present itself as options for him”

And there’s the sticky situation with RFA’s Matt Grzelcyk and Sean Kuraly. Sweeney and the Bruins will try to avoid arbitration with the two players, who have had a pretty gritty 2017-2018 season.

WHAT’S UP WITH TOREY KRUG

There ‘s no question that Krug is a pretty good defenseman. He may be small in stature at 5”9, but STATS don’t lie. 52 goals in 398 games with 183 assists garnering a total of 235 career points. If the rumors are true, the Oilers are looking to trade Oscar Klefbom who, (when healthy) can add some much-needed even strength. Again, if you look at numbers, Klefbom has played 255 games and posted 24 goals garnering 94 points. Klefbom’s defense abilities and puck read were problematic this year so I’m not entirely convinced trading Krug for Klefbom would a great add to the Bruins roster. Now if the Bruins can somehow secure Carolina’s Noah Hanifin, that could potentially beef up their defense-something that Boston needs.

ALL ABOUT DEFENSE

At 6’3 , 205lbs, Boston Native Noah Hanifin would add the extra height for the Bruins defense. He had his best season in Carolina last year, scoring 10 goals with 22 assists. But if you’re going to go after top-notch talent, you ‘re going to have to give up something and for the Bruins that means letting some of their young talent go elsewhere. Right now, Boston has an enviable system where they have a flourishing amount of players coming up. But would that also include letting go of someone like Krug to sweeten the deal?

FROM NHL TO KHL BACK TO NHL

Lastly, another huge rumor involving the Bruins is the possible signing of left winger Ilya Kovalchuk. The 35 year old Russian native has spent a handful of years in the KHL and is looking to make the jump back in the NHL. recently, he has had talks with the San Jose Sharks and the LA Kings. Although, no one is expecting him to play the same way when he was with New Jersey, he did garner 63 points in 53 games, along with potting 31 goals. And at 6’3, 230 pounds, he could be the BIG body that the Krecji/DeBrusk line need. He can certainly work the net and skate well, but would signing a 35-year-old be worth it? If it was a short-term type of deal, it could be worth pursuing, but we’ll have to wait until July 1^st when he becomes available.

FINAL THOUGHTS

The bar is set pretty high for the 2018-2019 season and the Bruins need to make decisions. In a perfect setting, Boston would sign every single player they have, but as the story goes, it’s just not the reality. Every hockey analyst will be watching the NHL draft in Dallas next week and the Black and Gold will be looking making some important moves.

For more info, follow Liz Rizzo on Twitter @pastagrll88