When the Boston Bruins lost Torey Krug and Zdeno Chara on defense to free agency in the offseason, it was apparent that the Bruins were going younger on defense for the 2021 season.
The Bruins knew what they had in Charlie McAvoy, Brandon Carlo, and Matt Grzelcyk, but after that, there were a lot of questions. How would the final three spots on defense be filled out? Would the young guys have a tough opening to the season and go through growing pains?
Through 11 games, the results have been better than what the Bruins had hoped for. They are 8-1-2 and tied for first place in the East Division with the Philadelphia Flyers. While McAvoy has played at a high-level and Carlo has been a steady presence, Grzelcyk has missed six games with a trio of injuries.
There have been pleasant surprises on the blue line that have been better than coach Bruce Cassidy had hoped in the shortened season.
Jakub Zboril
Don Sweeney’s very first draft pick as general manager in the first round in 2015, 23-year-old has Jakub Zboril has had an impressive start in his first full season in the NHL.
Paired with Kevan Miller, Zboril has been aggressive in joining the offensive rush, he has moved the puck well coming out of the defensive zone, and has not been afraid to take the body.
He has found himself in all aspects of the game for Cassidy. Aside from his solid pay 5-no-5, Zboril, who has two assists, has filled in with the second power play unit, as well as spending with killing penalties with Miller. Six years after being selected No. 13 overall, Zboril has worked his way to shifts on a nightly basis in the NHL.