Boston Bruins: Mid-Season Report Cards
The Boston Bruins have made it to the halfway point of the 2015-16 season. The Bruins were expected to be an underwhelming team, but by and large have surprised many of their critics. Unfortunately, these last few games have seen nothing but setback after setback. For the first time in a while, the Black and Gold find themselves outside a playoff slot in the Eastern Conference. They’re currently ninth in the East, and have fallen all the way down to fifth in the Atlantic Division.
There is a bright side to this though. If the Bruins are able to put together a win against the Buffalo Sabres tomorrow night, they will springboard back into playoff contention by unseating the Montreal Canadiens for the third automatic spot in the Atlantic. So, let’s hope the Black and Gold remember that they’re just a far better team than the Buffalo Eichels, er Sabres.
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Even though the Bruins are on the outside looking in, there have been several players who have done all they can to help the Bruins get where they are. Several Bruins have shouldered their fair share of the workload. Others have done what was asked of them and more. There are also a few disappointments in this years roster. Over the next few articles, we’ll look at the Bruins who have surpassed expectations, made the grade, or should be looking for a new team next season.
(40 games played. 20 points(7 g0als). +7, with 1 power play goal, 82 shots on goal with a 8.5% shot success rate)
Beleskey had a slow start to the season but has picked up the pace as of late. He has done nearly everything that has been asked of him this season. He brings a series physical role to his game, and has been the leader in hits in several games. (He was also one of the few players to have shown up in the Bruins woeful 5-1 loss to the Habs at the Winter Classic.) He’s capable of bringing a full sixty minute game, and commits few technical errors. While it’s unlikely he’ll repeat his 22-goal performance of last season, he will hopefully cross the double-digit threshold in the next few weeks.
Final Grade: B+
(42 games played. 38 points(15 goals). +5, with 8 power play and 1 shorthanded goals. 145 shots on goal with a 10.3% shot success rate.)
Patrice Bergeron has been one of the most reliable players on the team these last few years, and this season is no exception. Bergeron rarely has a bad game. Bergy is tied for the lead in goals, and is number one in assists. So far this season, Bergeron (or “Rafters” by the media. Once Bergy retires, his number will be hanging in the TD Garden) has three game winning goals for the B’s.
Bergeron has been a leader throughout the season. He’s also been one of the shining spots in the Bruins up-and-down season.
Final Grade: A+
(40 games played. 14 points(5 goals). -4, with 2 power play goals. 52 shots on goal with a 9.6% shot success rate.)
Brett Connolly was supposed to be a top-six forward for Boston. He hasn’t been able to do that. He was supposed to provide support scoring for Boston. He’s only put up a single goal in his last 30 games. (That he did that while being on the Bergeron line makes that all the more disappointing.)
The Boston Bruins need forwards who can cover some of the defensive gaps on the blue line, not add additional ones. Connolly’s wide open miss against the Flyers the other night shows just how sub-par his season has been. Sure, he’s in double digits in production, and he’s got a game winning goal, but overall Connolly will need to double down on the production if he expects to be in Boston (or even a NHL uniform) next season.
Final Grade: D+
(42 games played. 35 points (15 goals). +7, with 8 power play goals, and 1 shorthanded goal. 86 shots on goal with a 17.4% shot success rate.)
For whatever reason, Loui Eriksson was one of those players that a lot of people didn’t see the potential in. I don’t get it. The fans always have complaints when it comes to the Swede. He’s not big enough. He’s not physical enough. He won’t drop the gloves. He’s not Canadian. The list is pretty extensive.
Loui Eriksson has been the most reliable player on the team this season. He even edges out Bergeron for being the best player on the Bruins at the moment. He dances with the puck. He makes great decisions on the ice, and with Marchand’s recent suspension Eriksson has been wearing an ‘A’ on his jersey since the Winter Classic.
He’s a technically great skater with a fantastic hockey IQ. In forty-two games, he’s only earned four minutes in penalties. Most Bruins, (Bergeron included) have earned that many in a single game. He’s a fantastic winger that should be seeing consistent top-line time. If he continues on this pace, he’ll eclipse seventy points this season.
Final Grade: A+
(33 games played/23 with the Bruins. 7 points(3 goals). -4 with 40 shots on goal, and a 7.5% shot success rate.)
The Boston Bruins had a weekend front end due to early injuries. When the Detroit Red Wings placed Ferraro on waivers earlier in the season, the Bruins made the right call to snap him up. He’s bottom six support that does well in that role.
He brings back the days of the Merlot Men. Sure, he can grind out the minutes. But he can also surprise people with his ability to get into the dirty areas and make plays. He’s done well in that regards, and as the 24-year old forward develops, the Bruins may find more uses for him.
Final Grade: B
(40 games played. 21 points (10 goals). Even, with 3 power play goals. 68 shots, with a 14.7% shot success rate.)
It’s gotten to the point where you can’t say Hayes name without adding ‘The Pride of Dorchester’. Boston native Jimmy Hayes came over before the start of the season in a trade for the under performing Reilly Smith.
Hayes is capable of playing some serious physical hockey. Some games, he’s a nightmare to the opposing team. Other nights, he’s just a 6’5″ pylon to be avoided. Hayes is also very streaky. When he’s hot, he’s on fire. When he’s not, he’s colder than the Boston Harbor in February.
He’s streaks have seen him go up and down the forward lines this season. A little more consistency would go along way with him in Boston. (Not to mention using that massive frame to remind other teams that Boston old-time hockey is still something to be feared.)
Final Grade: C+
(11 games played. 2 points (2 goals). +3 with a shorthanded goal. 8 shots, with a 25% shot success rate.)
The final player in the first round of grades has likely seen his last season in a Boston Bruins uniform. Many of the fans disapproved of the exorbitant salary that was being paid to a fourth line center. When Chris Kelly broke his leg back in November, the fans saw what the team looked like without him.
So did the Bruins. They missed his very vocal leadership on the ice and in the locker room. They missed his ability to block shots and make solid judgment calls while on the penalty kill. They missed a player that knew how to play the game, and knew what it took to win.
Final Grade: B