Mar 29, 2015; Raleigh, NC, USA; Boston Bruins defensemen Torey Krug (47) 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
10. Torey Krug
Our first spot in the Top 10 is another defenseman. With the absence of Hamilton, Torey Krug will need to step up and produce for the Black and Gold. Krug is playing on a second straight one-year deal, and he hopes that his play will lead to a long term deal in Boston. “For me, it’s about this year, showing your worth, your value. … It’s a big year for me. I want the stability for my family and obviously for my mental sake, sanity and everything. It would be great. But I’m very determined,” Krug recently said at an event for the 2016 Winter Classic. In his 160 NHL games, he has 81 points, a solid clip for a young defenseman that is still figuring out his role on the NHL roster. If Krug can maintain his pace of improvement, he may become an X-factor for the Bruins going forward.