2. Craig Smith could play the Boston Bruins’ first line right wing.
The Bruins signed Craig Smith to a three-year, $9.3 million deal in early October when free agency first began. This $3.1 million average annual value (AAV) is a pretty good deal considering Smith is basically automatic for at least 20 goals a season.
This deal could look even more of a bargain if Smith can slot into the first line right wing role and give us quality hockey for around a month until Pastrnak returns.
Like I previously stated, Smith is almost automatic for at least 20 goals in a full 82-game season. In five of the last seven seasons, Smith has score 20+ goals, and he would’ve again this season if it wasn’t cut short due to COVID-19.
Along with scoring at least 20 goals, Smith is usually hovering between 35 and 45 points a season — with the exception of 2013-14 and 2017-18 where he finished with 52 and 51 points.
A problem with Smith moving up to the first line is that he has only played middle-six minutes throughout his nine-year career. Smith’s average ice time is just 14:52 over his career and playing over 18 minutes a game after playing just under 13 and half minutes a game last season could be too much for the 31-year-old.
However, Smith is a professional and I’m sure he’s in great shape, conditioning-wise, and would be more than able to play these minutes. But, this is a great risk as Smith was just signed in October and has yet to practice and even meet his teammates. Smith could spend that whole month trying to find chemistry with Marchy and Bergy.
Like Coyle, Smith plays a defensive style of hockey, which as I mentioned earlier, could benefit Marchand and Bergeron.