The Boston Bruins have eight, maybe more, defensemen who can be trusted to play real minutes in the NHL. It’s a problem for Bruce Cassidy, as he’ll be tasked with determining which six defensemen to play on a given night. It’s also quite a nice problem to have, one that many NHL teams would love. The Bruins enter the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs with exceptional depth at a key position.
Although there is depth at the position, there are questions that still remain for the Boston Bruins defensively. This could be the final run for both Torey Krug and Zdeno Chara, while numerous young players look to be the next to breakthrough.
WILL CHARA HOLD UP?
Zdeno Chara has been the top dog for the Boston Bruins since the moment he put pen to paper on July 1st, 2006. At 43, however, questions persist about Chara’s ability over the long-haul. There are two ways to look at the captain in this postseason.
The first is positive. The Bruins have not played in over 140 days, which means Chara is 100% rested and ready to go. He’s had time to heal any bumps and bruises from the season, and fatigue should not be a factor early on. Considering how the Bruins will play their three round-robin games in six days, Chara shouldn’t be overly worked when the First Round begins on August 11th.
If anything, the Boston Bruins should have a completely rested and healthy Chara working at nearly 100% through the opening round of the tournament. After that, however, things could change.
At his age, can Chara be expected to carry a big load? These playoffs will be more compressed than ever before, with each round getting roughly two weeks to reach completion. With high-intensity games going every other day, is it realistic to expect Chara to hold up for the duration of the postseason?
Head coach Bruce Cassidy will need to be careful, and likely curb the captain’s minutes to ensure solid production.
CONTRACT DISTRACTIONS?
Torey Krug would never admit it, but playing in a bubble could be great for him. Without the normal media assembly, Krug won’t face so many questions about his future. A pending free agent, Krug has been asked countless times about what the future holds. There is no real answer at this point. Krug did admit that this could be his final run last week.
“One of the first things we all talk about in this locker room is being aware of the situation that’s right in front of (us), and then accepting that situation,” Krug said last week. “For me, it’s no secret that, well, this could be the last run that I have at winning a Cup with this group.”
Krug is not the only big piece approaching free agency. There is less uncertainty with Chara, but the questions still persisted last week in Phase 3.
“I honestly just try to stay where my feet are,” Chara told reporters Saturday morning. “I’m focusing on how I’m going to be playing and performing. I’m open-minded. We’ll see what’s going to happen, but as of right now I’m just really focusing on my performances.”
Both Chara and Krug are professionals. Both are high-character players who aren’t looking to make it about them. However, it is almost impossible to not have the thought in the back of your head. If they are thinking about it, you know their teammates will be too.
It’s the kind of thing that can add extra and unneeded pressure.
LAUZON READY TO BREAK?
Jeremy Lauzon emerged as a full-time defenseman for the Bruins in the second half of the 2019-20 season. It didn’t change his mindset. Lauzon came to camp for Phase 3 determined to win his job back and start the round-robin against the Philadelphia Flyers in the lineup.
“I was starting to feel really comfortable on that right side with Gryz (Matt Grzelcyk),” Lauzon said last week. “But everyone’s in the same book, same page, so I feel really good right now, for sure. It’s been four, three and a half months off and I’m just happy to be back here and I think slowly me and Gryz are starting to get some chemistry back during practice. The rhythm’s been pretty good lately so I just try to work hard and get back to where my game was at the pause.”
Lauzon, drafted 52nd overall in 2015, is looking to breakthrough in the postseason like teammate Connor Clifton did a season ago. Lauzon, like Clifton in 2018-19, skated in 19 games at the NHL level this past season. He was mostly a regular for the AHL’s Providence Bruins but emerged in February when injury struck the big club.
Can Lauzon provide the same kind of spark Clifton did a season ago? Perhaps expectations should be higher. After all, Lauzon has the draft pedigree that Clifton does not. Lauzon is also a better passer and puck transporter than Clifton is.
When you factor the skill-sets with Lauzon’s budding chemistry with Matt Grzelcyk, the potential is there for a big breakthrough.