Boston Bruins Prospect: Seth Griffith An All-Star
Boston Bruins Prospect: Seth Griffith An All-Star
Seth Griffith entered Friday’s game against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers sitting tied for sixth in the AHL in scoring with 30 points in only 25 games. The Providence Bruins’ forward is skating in his third season with the team and has improved statistically ever year as he looks to finally break into the NHL on a full-time basis.
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Griffith scored 20 goals and added 30 assists for 50 points in 69 games in his first season with Providence in 2013-14. Due to the Bruins lack of right winger-depth in the 2014-15 season, Seth Griffith found himself split almost evenly between the Providence and Boston Bruins, scoring 12 goals and adding 19 assists for 31 points in 39 games at the AHL level as well at six goals and four assists for 10 points in 30 NHL games.
Seth Griffith was named the AHL player of the month in December and was told later in the week that he was selected to play in his first-ever All-Star game. The young forward has shown dynamic offensive ability that has led to a few highlight reel goals in his young career at the NHL level, so fans of the Bruins shouldn’t be surprised.
While Seth Griffith is not Bobby Orr, and while his goal wasn’t nearly as meaningful, it’s impossible to not acknowledge the similarities of these two goals. Seth Griffith showed his speed and determination as he rushed full-speed towards the Minnesota net in an attempt to give his team a lead; an effort that clearly paid off for both him, and the Bruins.
As pretty as Griffith’s “Bobby Orr Impression” was, the Bruins actually saw the nicest goal of Seth Griffith’s career in a game against the New Jersey Devils.
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The biggest similarity between the two aforementioned goals is the fact that the Bruins were tied with both the Minnesota Wild and the New Jersey Devils prior to Griffith scoring his highlight reel goals. Seth Griffith showed it all on this play: speed, stick work, a willingness to get to the net, as well as the focus it clearly took to find the puck between his legs and knock it in the Devils’ net, all while fighting off two veteran defenders in Marek Zidlicky and then-Devils’ captain Bryce Salvador.
The Boston Bruins are currently juggling a few top-nine wingers at the NHL level, including Brad Marchand, Loui Eriksson, Jimmy Hayes, Frank Vatrano, David Pastrnak, Matt Beleskey, and Brett Connolly. Seth Griffith is a player that needs to be played in a skilled role, as a fourth line position would simply be a waste of his potential. Due to the Bruins depth at the forward position, it’s clear that Griffith will need to wait his turn before getting another consistent look for the Bruins big club.
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In two games with the Boston Bruins this season, Seth Griffith posted one assist, and a -4 plus-minus rating. Despite his offensive ability, Claude Julien is likely reluctant to give Seth Griffith a long leash until he tightens up defensively. The same case was highly talked about for Ryan Spooner who showcased all of the offensive ability in the world while remaining in Claude Julien‘s dog house due to his lack of defensive awareness and accountability.
Follow Brandon Share-Cohen on Twitter @BShareCohen to discuss all things Bruins and sports