What can we expect from Boston Bruins’ center Sean Kuraly for the 2021 season?
Over the past few years, center Sean Kuraly has solidified himself as the Boston Bruins‘ fourth line center. He plays a physical style that wears down his opposition. Additionally, he isn’t terrible in the faceoff circle and can be utilized on the penalty kill.
Now at the age of 27 years old, Kuraly is going into his fifth NHL season and has suited up for 223 games. Over the course of this time, Kuraly has registered 20 goals and 39 assists for 59 points.
Since debuting in 2016-17, Kuraly has been getting better and better. In his rookie season, Kuraly posted just a 0.13 points per game. This increased to 0.19 his sophomore season, then 0.30 two years ago, and then to 0.33 last season.
With Kuraly struggling a bit through his first two seasons, his career goals per game is just 0.09, assists per game is just 0.17, and points per game is just 0.26. However, Kuraly has had much better assists and points pace over the last two seasons averaging 0.22 assists per game and 0.32 points per game.
For 2021, I expect Kuraly to have numbers closer to the ones he’s averaged over the last two years. So, I’ll say he averages 0.10 goals per game and 0.25 assists per game for 0.35 points per game in 2021. This would give Kuraly his best points pace in his career and tie his best assists pace.
Kuraly has also missed some games either due to injury or for rest over his career. Because of this, I think he’ll miss a few games this season. So, let’s say he suits up for 52 of 56 games.
In 52 games, the paces I said would allow Kuraly to finish 2021 with five goals and 13 assists for 18 points.
Overall, Kuraly has solidified himself as a bottom-six forward with the Bruins. Unless someone else proves to be a better option, he’ll be Boston’s fourth line center for 2021. Additionally, he should also get some time killing penalties.