Sean Kuraly Could Pay Dividends For The Boston Bruins
During Don Sweeney‘s swift and decisive retooling of the Bruins, lost in the middle, somewhere between the Dougie Hamilton and Matt Beleskey deals, is Sean Kuraly. The young college forward, currently a member of the Miami University RedHawks, came over along with the San Jose Sharks’ 2016 first round pick as part of the deal for goaltender Martin Jones. The move received little attention compared to the flurry of other transactions Sweeney made that week, but has the potential to be one of the most beneficial moves of the offseason.
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On paper, Kuraly is exactly what the Bruins want from a center. He possesses good size with his 6’2″ 209 pound stature, plays both ways, is reliable on the penalty kill, and hard on the puck down low. Former Bruin and current director of player development Jay Pandolfo remarked on Kuraly after his performance during last week’s development camp. “I’ve been really impressed…He’s big and strong. He’s better with the puck than I thought he was. He seems like a Bruins-type player. He’s hard on pucks. He’s mature already. Physically, he’s developed. I think he’s definitely going to push for a job next year.”
Pandolfo isn’t the only one who’s gotten a front row eat to what Kuraly is made of. Bruins executive director of player personnel, John Ferguson, has been with Kuraly every step of the way. Ferguson served as San Jose’s director of pro-scouting for six years from 2008-14, so the safe money tells me this guy knows his stuff when it comes to what this kid is all about.
“I’ve been really impressed…He’s big and strong. He’s better with the puck than I thought he was. He seems like a Bruins-type player. He’s hard on pucks. He’s mature already. Physically, he’s developed. I think he’s definitely going to push for a job next year.”
Ferguson lobbied for Kuraly to be a chip included in the Martin Jones trade on June 30th, and says he believes he is physically mature and strong enough to play at the professional level right now. Though Kuraly will head back to college to play out his senior year for the RedHawks, it might not be too long before we see him wearing a Bruins sweater.
According to college scouts, Kuraly does have some work to do in regards to his offensive consistency. Kuraly talked about working harder this year to get in position to contribute more on the score sheet. “Personally want to get a little bit better offensively, get a little more creative…not be impatient with the puck.” Kuraly said during camp. “(I want to) make plays that are available. Making the plays that are there and also know when the play’s not there. Also, holding onto the puck and being smart with it, I want to get a little better at that.”
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I think Kuraly will fit in well with this retooled Bruins group when the time comes. Not because he posts eye-popping numbers. He doesn’t. He tallied 19 goals and 10 assists last season. But what he brings to the table in other areas of his game are part of what the Bruins identity has been for the better part of the past decade. He’ll be the team captain this year for Miami University, and in the 2014-15 campaign he potted nine game winning goals in forty games, and found the back of the net a team leading seven times on the power play.
Having a guy who can score big goals late in games and contribute to the man-advantage, even if he isn’t a 20 or 30 goal scorer, would have been a great asset and saved the B’s a great deal of frustration last year. He has the makeup of a natural leader who can be a strong voice in the locker room at 22 years old. He’s a character guy. Another year of grooming at the collegiate level should do him some good, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Sean Kuraly lacing them up for the Black and Gold sooner rather than later.