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Boston Bruins: Are Adam McQuaid & Kevan Miller Ready

By Andrew Thompson

Mar 8, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Adam McQuaid (54) skates with the puck against the Detroit Red Wings during the first period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 8, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Adam McQuaid (54) skates with the puck against the Detroit Red Wings during the first period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Boston Bruins were a team of extremes last season.

The 2015-16 season demonstrated how much of a Jekyll-and-Hyde team the Boston Bruins had become. The B’s were ranked fifth in offense, but 20th on defense. For the second straight year, the Black and Gold were the last team eliminated from the post-season.

Change was expected. The fans and the media anticipated Don Sweeney making some big changes, especially on the blue line.  That didn’t happen.

Don Sweeney was adamant that an overhaul wasn’t the answer. He believes that only minor tweaks were the answer. To demonstrate his faith in the current system, he doubled down on two of his bottom-pair defensemen, offering Adam McQuaid and Kevan Miller big four-year deals.

“I guess those are the questions that everyone asks and people are wondering about. But I think at the same time there’s a chance for both of us to continue to improve our game and hopefully be more well-rounded and grab the opportunity to play bigger minutes against tougher opposition,” – Adam McQuaid

Now, McQuaid and Miller have to prove they’re ready to step up. The Bruins didn’t sign any other top-four defenseman this summer, so it’s up to one or both of them to prove they can handle the extra responsibility.

Adam McQuaid certainly believes he’s ready to take on the job. McQuaid is coming off his first injury-free summer in a while, and that’s certainly a plus. At last week’s Putts and Punches Tournament, the 29-year old McQuaid  took a moment to express his hopes for next season and come to the defense of the often-maligned Miller.

“I’m not really surprised by anything. I don’t know. You’re not sure how things will play out in different ways. I wasn’t surprised,” offered McQuaid on Kevan Miller’s contract renewal. “I think in my opinion Millsy’s underrated in a lot of ways and a guy that continues to improve and a guy you appreciate having on your team.”

The 28-year old Miller was also given extra time in the top-four last season. Like McQuaid, he had strong games and rough ones. The more the fans and the media seemed to malign the California native, the more Don Sweeney came to his defense. Sweeney even said at the end of the year press conference that Miller had a strong year.

The Bruins know they’ll need to be better if they want to break back into the playoff circle. For them, it’s about sticking with what works.

“I think even within the guys that we have, I think we can be better and it’s an important part of our team,” offered McQuaid on the challenges of next season. “Collectively, not only as a D corps, I think just as a team having that defensive awareness and focus. But obviously there’s a little more focus on the defensemen, as always, but I guess it’s going to be a good challenge for us and it’s an opportunity for a lot of guys to step up that way.”

Next: The Boston Bruins Should Hire Shawn Thornton

McQuaid feels that he’s ready for the 2016-17 season. He also thinks Miller is ready for next year.  I hope he’s right.

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