Boston Bruins Hope to Improve with New Powerplay Weapons
Mar 29, 2015; Raleigh, NC, USA; Boston Bruins forward David Pastrnak (88) scores the game winner in overtime against the Carolina Hurricanes goalie Anton Khudobin (31) at PNC Arena. The Boston Bruins defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
As the Boston Bruins try to find the right powerplay unit combinations and replace a bundle of powerplay points that left town this offseason, they have a few new and emerging weapons in an arsenal that could serve to make up the difference and perhaps even improve on last year’s poor 18th place ranking on the man advantage.
One potential surprise player with a chance to make the team, particularly with GM Don Sweeney’s new emphasis on defensemen pushing the play up ice, is AHL standout Colin Miller who racked up 10 powerplay goals among his league-leading 19 goals by a defenseman last season to go with 33 assists for the Manchester Monarchs.
“Miller now is more patient and intelligent when firing his cannon of a slap shot,” according to last season’s mid-year prospect rankings on MayorsManor.com. “On the power play, he has been a lethal weapon for the Monarchs, threatening to score nearly every time he chooses to shoot. Miller also has that uber confidence all great players have. He thinks he can do whatever, whenever on the ice.”
The 6’1” 181-pound right shot 22-year old also displays the type of improving defensive play, leadership and toughness the B’s covet, as witnessed by his 82 penalty minutes and plus-11 over 70 regular season games along with another 10 points and a plus-12 rating in 19 playoff games. Perhaps what really got him noticed was his performance in the AHL all-star competition, where he recorded the hardest slapshot (at 105.5 MPH) in the event’s history and also won the fastest skater award. “He sees the ice really well, he makes good plays, [and] he’s a good passer,” Monarchs coach Mike Stothers told NHL.com. “You can’t help but notice how well he skates. He’s kind of like a hovercraft. There’s an awful lot of upside to Colin’s game. I think there’s a real potential to be a dominating player in the NHL.”
May 25, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks left wing Matt Beleskey (39) scores a goal against Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford (50) during the overtime period in game five of the Western Conference Final of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Newcomer Matt Beleskey provides a powerplay option for the B’s at left wing with badly needed grit, as evidenced by the secret weapon he became last season for the Ducks as he racked up a career high 22 goals with four on the man advantage and another eight in Anaheim’s playoff run. His hallmark is working hard to get in position in the slot to utilize his good shot or fire in rebounds. “He’s a player who gets the job done, and he’s a guy that you want out there when you need things to happen, if it’s a goal, if it’s a hit, a fight,” then-Ducks teammate Andrew Cogliano told the LA Times. “He’s one of those players that are going to be a very hot commodity in this league.”
A good example of Beleskey’s work ethic and battle can be traced to his game-winning playoff goal against Calgary May 8 after a Flames forward took a bad high sticking penalty on a Ducks defenseman, cutting his lip in the process. Beleskey got open in the slot and fired home a rebound on the ensuing powerplay. “We’ve got to take care of business when they take a penalty like that, at the end of a period and try and take liberties,” Beleskey told the Times. “You’ve got to make them pay, and we did.”
“He’s been doing that for us all year, not only timely goals but he knows where to place himself and he’s strong, so a lot of times he doesn’t get moved out of that spot,” Anaheim coach Bruce Boudreau told the Daily News.
The Bruins are thankful Beleskey was available in free agency. “I want to be a guy to be able to lead in situations,” he told NESN. “I’m going to play my same game, be a power forward, get in on the forecheck and go to the net hard.”
Another emerging B’s powerplay weapon is center Ryan Spooner and his artistry along the halfwall. He buys time and space with his stickhandling to find players with pinpoint passes and often opens up a lane for himself along the way, giving him the added option to shoot or drive the net. His shot exploded last year and his creativity and quickness give him space to rattle off screaming one-timers, as well.
Mar 29, 2015; Raleigh, NC, USA; Boston Bruins forward Ryan Spooner (51) skates with puck against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The Boston Bruins defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
The Bruins hope for more good things out of RW David Pastrnak, who can be dangerous on the far wing of the powerplay using his quickness and moves with the puck or ability to sneak in and get open for a quick ambush shot. He and Spooner also have the speed and puck abilities to enter the attacking zone cleanly and set up the play.
Former high first round pick RW Brett Connolly, still just 22, remains a wild card with potential to develop into a powerplay weapon with his hard shot and fiery competitiveness. Meanwhile B’s newbie 6’6”, 220-pound RW Jimmy Hayes, whose big, screening net-front presence led to four goals and 11 points with extra attackers for Florida last season, will free up 6’9” Zdeno Chara and his 100-MPH-plus blaster to man one of the points while powerplay regular David Krejci also returns healthy this season.
Mar 17, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; Florida Panthers right wing Jimmy Hayes (12) controls the puck in front of Montreal Canadiens goalie Dustin Tokarski (35) as defenseman P.K. Subban (76) defends in the first period at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports
But even if the new lineups gel and produce, the B’s still have a lot of lost powerplay points to make up and then some if they want to improve on last year. Between Milan Lucic (8 powerplay points), Carl Soderberg (8), Reilly Smith (11) and especially Dougie Hamilton (5 goals, 15 points), the B’s sent 42 powerplay points out the door. Further, since the ill-fated Tyler Seguin trade, the B’s still lack that one true, dangerous powerplay sniper that can finish on a regular basis and back teams onto their heels. Aging Jarome Iginla filled in nicely as a stopgap one year, but the losses of Seguin with his speed and quick release and now the puck-moving Hamilton have lasting effects.
The hope is the B’s get enough scoring by committee and progress with the emerging potential and variety of skills and roles the new powerplay casts will bring. Emphasis on aggressive defense at the blue line and pushing the attack further up ice to create quicker and shorter transitions may also help draw more penalties, with players like Pastrnak, Spooner, Torey Krug and potentially Miller available to push teams back with their speed.