The Boston Bruins have a success story in Sean Kuraly; question is, can he do even more for them next season?
Few players are overlooked for the role they played in the Boston Bruins run to the Stanley Cup Final last season more so than Sean Kuraly. We’re talking a fourth line center that was relied upon, on more than one occasion, to take the opening puck drop consistently facing top-line competition in doing so.
Not only did he hold his own, but the whole fourth line thrived with the pressure; Sean Kuraly ensured the Boston Bruins also got the best of Noel Acciari, Joakim Nordstrom and when he was in the line-up, Chris Wagner.
This leads to the question; is Sean Kuraly a fourth-line center and that’s as high as he’ll aspire or could we have a new third-line center on our hands? This could especially be the case should the Boston Bruins choose to experiment with Charlie Coyle on David Krejci‘s right wing.
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The Boston Bruins clearly saw enough a few years back to acquire the 2011 fifth round (133rd overall) pick of the San Jose Sharks. After joining up with the team, it only took a one season stint with the Providence Bruins before he was entrusted with minutes in the NHL.
Move forward two more seasons and Sean Kuraly is the perfect example of great value for money in a salary cap league. At just $1.275 million per year, he is able to play against top lines and hold his own or at least ensure the team doesn’t concede. His production is slightly above average for a fourth-liner, albeit last year, he saw minutes more worthy of a third or second liner at times. Still 21 points that low in the line-up isn’t to be shrugged at.
You only need look at the fact he only had 33.4% of his starts in the offensive zone to know that he has earned the trust of Boston Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy in the regular season. Not only that, but he only ranked behind the much-maligned David Backes and Patrice Bergeron last seaon among those routinely taking face-offs, with a face-off winning percentage of 53.9%.
Now, the challenge would be, should he earn a promotion to third-line duties; can he find the same degree of chemistry with the likes of Danton Heinen and potentially Brett Ritchie or Par Lindholm? They are both quite different players to his regular play-off linemates of Nordstrom and the now Florida Panthers forward, Acciari.
All things considered, I have little doubt that if given the chance to succeed, Kuraly would continue to prove himself. A step up to the third line would be just rewards for what was a very consistent year. Best part is, if he doesn’t succeed with more ice-time and slightly more pressure, he has chemistry with the fourth line and could easily step back down.
Of course, this is only a scenario if the third-line center doesn’t turn out to be Coyle. Only time will tell who ends up where for the Boston Bruins.