The Boston Bruins were not the defensive juggernaut this season that they had been in previous years.
Injuries to key players, including Zdeno Chara and Dougie Hamilton, forced young players into larger roles, and the preseason trade of Johnny Boychuk created a need for a top-four defenseman that was never filled.
As a result of these factors and others, the Bruins fell to 20th in unblocked shots attempts against and 22nd in shots on goal against. They were able to remain in the top 10 in goals against because goaltender Tuukka Rask played very well and bailed out his teammates on many occasions.
There likely will be more turnover on the blue line entering the 2015-16 campaign with a few players eligible for free agency, both unrestricted and restricted, as well as young prospects pushing for playing time at the NHL level.
Here are my projected pairings for next season, followed by an analysis of each one.
Zdeno Chara-Dougie Hamilton
Torey Krug-Dennis Seidenberg
Joe Morrow/Kevan Miller-Zach Trotman/Adam McQuaid
Potentials Extras/Departures: Kevan Miller, Adam McQuaid, Matt Bartkowski, David Warsofsky
Zdeno Chara-Dougie Hamilton
This was one of the league’s best pairings last season. Unfortunately for the Bruins, it was their only pairing that consistently drove puck possession against elite competition. Chara and Hamilton played 682:28 together at even strength and the Bruins controlled 56.27 percent of shot attempts when they were on the ice together. No other players were that close, as the following usage chart from War on Ice shows.
In addition to their puck possession and defensive success, this duo also provided scoring production. Chara was hurt for most of the season, which lowered his offensive output, but Hamilton led all Bruins d-men with 42 points (10 goals, 32 assists).
They also complement each other’s styles very well. Chara is more of a stay-at-home defenseman and Hamilton likes to join the attack because of his excellent offensive skill set. Chara is smart about being positionally sound defensively when Hamilton decides to be aggressive in the attacking zone.
It should also be noted that Hamilton is a restricted free agent on July 1. He declined to talk about his contract status when asked during breakup day in April.
Torey Krug-Dennis Seidenberg
This is a classic offense/defense combo with Krug supplying valuable skating and offensive skill, while Seidenberg provides physical play and a defense-first style.
Seidenberg struggled last season and the Bruins were often out shot when he was on the ice, although to be fair, he received the toughest zone starts of any Boston defenseman during even strength. Seidenberg was much better towards the end of the season and should be even stronger in 2015-16 with one full campaign following his ACL surgery under his belt.
Krug has plenty of motivation to finally become a top-four defenseman entering the final year of his contract.
Joe Morrow-Zach Trotman
Morrow was a first-round pick in 2011 and has played 153 AHL games for three different organizations. He’s ready to be a full-time NHL player and has the mobility, puck-moving skill and offensive talent to help the Bruins play a more uptempo game and be better in transition.
Trotman was among the bright spots for the B’s late in the season when he replaced an injured Hamilton over the final 10 games. He faced difficult competition and played in key situations on the first pairing alongside Chara and performed very well.
This would be an inexperienced pairing, but as a third pairing, it probably wouldn’t be placed in too many defensive-zone situations against elite competition.
Kevan Miller, who’s on a one-way contract, also could play a role on the third pairing. He’s a more physical player than Morrow, but his offensive skills and puck-moving ability are not on the same level. Boston could go into the season with seven defensemen, and if that’s the case, the ideal lineup would have Miller as the extra.
McQuaid has battled injuries throughout his career, but when healthy he provides a tough, physical presence and is able to kill penalties. If he re-signs, a third-pairing role is best fit for him.
Potential Extras, Departures
McQuaid and Bartkowski are both unrestricted free agents on July 1 and had salary cap hits of $1.56 million and 1.25 million, respectively.
Warsofsky is a bit like Krug in regards to skill and size and has played four full AHL seasons. It’s hard to imagine him earning a spot on Boston’s roster at this point, especially if McQuaid and/or Bartkowski are re-signed. That doesn’t mean Warsofsky isn’t capable of being an NHL defenseman, it’s just that Trotman and Morrow are better options.
Thumbnail photo via Charles Krupa/Associated Press
