Boston Bruins: 2016 Draft Candidate – Markus Niemelainen
The Boston Bruins have a large hole when it comes to their blueline. For the last two seasons, the B’s front office has watched the decline of Zdeno Chara and Dennis Seidenberg and have done nothing to remedy this problem. To make matters worse, former GM Peter Chiarelli gave away Johnny Boychuk. Then new GM Don Sweeney couldn’t come to terms with Dougie Hamilton further blanking the Bruins blueline.
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The Bruins should realize now that fixing the holes among their defensemen will not be a one-stop fix. The Black and Gold will need to start embracing the word ‘rebuild’ and focus on players who could be a success down the road.
The Bruins have two first round draft picks this year. They will definately grab at least one blueliner in the first round and it is possible the B’s will grab defensemen with both picks (If Sweeney can’t find a way to move those picks up the draft).
The Bruins need to find a new Zdeno Chara. They need to find a 6’3″plus player with the ability to play three-zone, two way-hockey. Believe it or not, there is a young player in the OHL that just might fit the bill. He’s a talented player that is already making a name for himself as part of the Saginaw Spirit. That player is Finnish defenseman Markus Niemelainen.
Markus Niemelainen – 6’4″ 190lbs
First off, Niemelainen has size. He brings an impressive wingspan to the game. He’s willing to play the body and fight to get pucks out of the defensive zone. He’ll only get larger in the next few years and having a Zdeno Chara mindset paired with a Milan Lucic skill set would be an amazing thing for the Bruins to have on their roster.
He’s got solid skills on the ice. He has a great hockey IQ so far (and that will only get better as he progresses). He’s got great feet and solid hands. Something the Bruins have had either one or the other of as of late. He’s also great in transition and can be a good puck-moving defenseman for Boston. (Can’t let Torey Krug do all the work by himself in that department.)
His biggest liability is North American ice. He still doesn’t seem 100 percent comfortable on it. To be clear, he won’t be able to make an impact on the team tomorrow. But give him a year or two, plus a little playing time in Providence, and the Boston Bruins could have a real terror on their hands.