Boston Bruins: Four players to watch out for next season

BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 17: David Pastrnak #88 and Torey Krug #47 of the Boston Bruins warm up before the game against the St. Louis Blues at the TD Garden on January 17, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Steve Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 17: David Pastrnak #88 and Torey Krug #47 of the Boston Bruins warm up before the game against the St. Louis Blues at the TD Garden on January 17, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Steve Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images)
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BOSTON, MA - JUNE 12: Boston Bruins defenseman John Moore (27) hard up ice with the puck. During Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals featuring the Boston Bruins against the St. Louis Blues on June 12, 2019 at TD Garden in Boston, MA. (Photo by Michael Tureski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – JUNE 12: Boston Bruins defenseman John Moore (27) hard up ice with the puck. During Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals featuring the Boston Bruins against the St. Louis Blues on June 12, 2019 at TD Garden in Boston, MA. (Photo by Michael Tureski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Who has a bounce-back campaign?

Every year, there is a player who comes off of a disappointing season or seasons and comes back one year and surprises everyone with their production. Who on the Bruins fits the bill for a bounce-back?

John Moore is currently the second-highest-paid Bruins defenseman, behind Torey Krug, while the McAvoy and Carlo contracts are discussed. He has been highly scrutinised by Boston Bruins fans throughout the season, but this past year could have merely been an off-year. While Moore is not much of an offensive player and never has been, he had over a minute less average time on ice per game from two seasons ago.

To put it into perspective, Moore’s career-high in points came in the 2016-17 season, recording just 22 points. This past season with the Bruins, Moore put up 13 points in 61 games.

To be precise, he averaged 20:01 time on ice per game in 2017-18 and 18:46 time on ice per game in 2018-19. At 28 years old, he isn’t quite at the age of decline yet, giving him a chance to bounce back as well. With one of Carlo and McAvoy likely gone, there are spots on a crowded blue line opened up, and John Moore could be at the top of the other defenseman battling for a top 4 role.

Another candidate could be Kevan Miller. Injuries have been ravaging Miller in recent years, and if he could stay relatively healthy next season, Boston fans know he’s a capable bottom 2 defenseman. He provides a veteran presence for a young defenseman like Urho Vaakanainen as well.

All statistics courtesy of hockey-reference.com.