Bruins’ defenseman Torey Krug just might make the US Olympic Team.
Dec 17, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Calgary Flames center Paul Byron (32) gets knocked to the ice by Boston Bruins defenseman Torey Krug (47) and defenseman Dennis Seidenberg (44) during the second period at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Torey Krug was last season’s breakout star for the Boston Bruins. He entered the post season, just like Tyler Seguin did. He hadn’t had many starts, but with injuries and the need to mix things up for the team, Coach Claude Julien gave him his shot. Krug took that shot (well a lot more than one), and hasn’t looked back. His four goal performance during the Rangers series in last year’s playoffs showed him as a future star for the organization.
Torey Krug was expected to be part of the rotating defensemen group of Matt Bartkowski, Dougie Hamilton, and himself. Krug’s outstanding performance to date has kept him in the defensive pairings and for the most part, sidelining Bartkowski. Krug is overall fifth in points for the Black and Gold, and tied for third overall in goals.
Krug has been getting on the radar of a lot of teams. He’s the same size (depending on who you talk to) as Brad Marchand, and the scrappy feistiness is there as well. Krug is nowhere near the instigator that Marchand is but Krug has no trouble backing up his play with a mitt in someone’s face if needed. That he’s playing a similar highly maneuverable style makes it hard for other teams to counter when he’s acting as the ‘honorary fourth forward’ for Boston.
Claude Julien has been rewarding the twenty two year old for his play. The Bruins have been using a three forward one defensemen formation for overtime. It has led them to several OT wins for the Black and Gold. In face the Marchand-Krug combination gave the Bruins their first regular season win against the Pittsburgh Penguins in years. Krug has been highly adaptable in the Bruins three zone, defensive minded program.
There is talk that Krug has a shot of making the US Olympic team. With the NHL full of American talent, the odds of him getting on the roster aren’t good. It is nice when Dan Bylsma, coach of the Penguins and Team USA Hockey respect his skill set enough to give him at least a serious once-0ver for Sochi. As Krug’s name keeps getting mentioned in the same sentence as the Calder Cup, he’s odds are improving. With no set roster yet for USA Hockey, the Bruins blueliner could be competing for Olympic gold.
Dec 10, 2013; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Boston Bruins defenseman Torey Krug (47) against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports