Boston Bruins Quarter-Season Progress Report

February 21, 2013; Tampa FL, USA; Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron (37), defenseman Dennis Seidenberg (44), center Gregory Campbell (11) and defenseman Zdeno Chara (33) high five each other after they beat the Tampa Bay Lightning at Tampa Times Forum. The Bruins won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

As the title above states, we’re bout a quarter of a way through the NHL season and trade rumors have started swirling around the league. So I figured now would be as good a time as any to take a long, hard look at just how well the Bruins have played and attempt to grade them.

I understand it’s still early in the season and some guys are still trying to find their game after a lockout that felt like an eternity. However with trade-talk already starting up and Bruins general manger Peter Chiarelli telling ESPNBoston.com that he’s looking to improve, I feel the judgement is fair.

These are my grades based on my opinions, I rate a player not just on stats but also for doing the little things right. I’m sure some of you will disagree with me, all I ask is that if you do then let it be known. With that said lets roll up the sleeves and get to work.

FORWARDS

Patrice Bergeron: A Playing like Patrice and tied for 2nd on the team in points.

Chris Bourque: C+ Points aren’t there but effort is every night.

Gregory Campbell: B+ Best 4th line center in the league.

Nathan Horton: B+ Great comeback season and he looks faster.

Chris Kelly: C Has had some bad turnovers and isn’t producing.

David Krejci: A Team’s leading scorer and their best center so far.

Milan Lucic: B Plugging along but needs to get more involved.

Lane MacDermid: INC He can fight, but can he do anything else?

Brad Marchand: A+ Team’s best player from the start and leads B’s with 9 goals.

Daniel Paille: B+ Knows his role, accepts it and excels in it.

Jay Pandolfo: INC He seems serviceable and adds depth to the roster.

Rich Peverley: C+ Just 2 goals for Rich and he’s a team high -5, not good enough.

Marc Savard : IR Could use him on their awful PP.

Tyler Seguin: A- Goals aren’t there but everything else is, he’s definitely snake-bitten”.

Shawn Thornton: B+ Energy and character guy that brings both every game.

DEFENSE

Johnny Boychuk: B It may not always be pretty but he always plays hard.

Zdeno Chara: A Not flashy but gets the job done and is the anchor of the defense.

Andrew Ference: C+ Down year for him which isn’t good in a contract year.

Dougie Hamilton: B Having his expected up and down season but he’s good, real good.

Aaron Johnson: INC Decent plug-in for the B’s and he’s held his own when called upon.

Adam McQuaid: B- Slow start after being hurt during the lockout. 

Dennis Seidenberg: B+ Steady as usual, just a solid all-around defenseman.

GOALIES

Tuukka Rask: A Lets in the occasional softy but he’s played extremely well.

Anton Khudobin: B+ Been solid in brief appearances, solid backup.

I expect many of these grades to change as the season goes on and I still feel the Bruins haven’t even begun to play their best hockey, yet they sit at 9-2-2. Like I said some guys have gotten off to slow starts, yet enough players have done enough to get this team off to the best start in franchise history.

In my opinion that just shows how well built and deep the roster is courtesy of Chiarelli and head coach Claude Julien has been a steady force behind the B’s bench. I guess we can grade them too and I’ll give both of them “A’s” as they deserve a piece of the credit for the team’s current success.

Well there you have it, let me know how I did and how much of a homer I am in the comments section below.

Finally, feel free to follow me on Twitter @BillyBrysonNHL and make sure to “like” Causeway Crowd on Facebook. Thanks for reading and I hope you come around often!