Welcome to the latest series here at Last Word on Hockey. Each day, we will take a look at a new team and examine three of their potential breakout or bounce-back players. What are these? These are players that have the chance to make a serious difference with their teams. Whether that’s as someone who finally finds their place in the NHL, or as someone who had previously been good but has struggled as of recently. Each day we will be looking at a different team! However, today we will take a look at the potential 2020-21 Boston Bruins key players.
2020-21 Boston Bruins Candidates
Matt Grzelcyk
First up on our list today is defenceman Matt Grzelcyk. He has the best probability of anyone on Boston’s roster to be a breakout player next season. Drafted in the third round of the 2012 Entry Draft, the undersized defender has carved out a sizable role over the last few seasons. Playing mainly a bottom-pairing role throughout his NHL career has given the 26-year-old plenty of time to learn how to play at this level without the significant challenges that come with a top-four role. This upcoming year could bring major changes to the defensive core that involve a big step up from the rising star.
Reasons for Optimism
For starters, we need to discuss Boston’s biggest loss of the offseason. Torey Krug’s departure for the St. Louis Blues has left a gaping hole. Not only was Krug a major presence at both ends of the ice, but he was Boston’s power-play quarterback, and arguably one of the best in the entire NHL. With him out of the picture, the Bruins need to consider other options. In steps Grzelcyk. He has a similar frame to Krug, both of them standing 5’ 9”. While Grzelcyk weighs 12 pounds less, he has roughly the same stature. His speed and offensively-minded style mirror Krug. While he may not have the same level of talent, this is his opportunity to prove to the front office that they have their replacement for Krug already in the building.
Grzelcyk’s offence speaks for itself. After all, posting 21 points in 68 games playing a bottom-pairing role is impressive on its own. Imagine the success he could have playing on the power play and with better talent on a nightly basis. He has the potential to evolve into the puck-moving defender Boston desperately needs. But we also have to consider his play in his own zone. While his possession metrics don’t jump out as impressive, we need to remember the role he has been playing. He has been a third-pairing defenceman for his entire career thus far. That means he has been playing with weaker defenders, namely Connor Clifton and John Moore. If he gains a role more suitable for his skill level, we could see his 1.8 relative Corsi rating from last season rise.
Urho Vaakanainen
After being drafted in the first round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, Boston had high hopes for Urho Vaakanainen. Three years later, the Bruins should start looking to him to make an impact at the NHL level. Although he was on Boston’s opening day roster last season, an early injury forced him to miss time and ultimately back to the minors. Having spent most of his professional career in the AHL so far, this is his greatest opportunity to make the jump to the next level. He hopes to be a breakout player on the 2020-21 Boston Bruins roster.
Reasons for Optimism
In the American Hockey League, Vaakanainen tallied five goals along with nine assists for 14 total points. That may not jump out as incredible, but his offensive game has never been his strong suit. He is far better as a stay-at-home blue-liner. The young stud is a stout, defensively-minded player with a strong sense of discipline. He does not make the big errors and keeps penalties to a minimum.
It appears that Zdeno Chara may not return to the Bruins. Given the fact that the team has not signed him to a new contract over a month after free agency started, the likelihood decreases every day. His departure leaves a hole that will desperately need to be filled. Vaakanainen may not fill the void completely but this is his best opportunity to prove he belongs in the NHL. While a roster spot is not guaranteed, major turnover is coming for the defensive core. Vaakanainen hopes to be a big piece of it. As a high draft choice, the potential is there. He needs to capitalize on this opportunity before the window closes. If he makes the roster, a breakout season could be on the horizon.
Ondrej Kase
After being brought in at the trade deadline, Ondrej Kase may play a larger role than many anticipated in Boston’s future. After spending his first three NHL seasons with the Anaheim Ducks, he was traded. The 25-year-old winger was brought in to help stabilize the revolving door of forwards playing on David Krejci’s right side. Boston not only hopes he succeeds in that role this season but for many more to come. Kase has a high probability of being a breakout player this season.
Reasons for Optimism
Kase has never stood out as a stud prospect or potential superstar. As a seventh-round draft choice in 2014, Anaheim took no more than a flier on what they saw as a possible bottom-six player. Kase has already proven he is much more than that. With 97 points in 204 games, he is a bonafide middle six player on a good team. We should consider the talent he played with during his time in Anaheim. His most frequent linemates were Adam Henrique and Nick Ritchie. As long as he remains in Boston, he will be playing with higher-level talent.
When we look at potential lineups for next season, the second line makes the most sense for Kase. That means he will be playing alongside David Krejci and likely Jake Debrusk, depending on how the restricted free agent’s contract situation plays out. Krejci and Henrique are comparable in terms of offensive output. The biggest change is on the other wing. Debrusk is a far superior winger than Ritchie is. If Kase is to play with this line, he will likely have far greater success. Boston also has a highly impressive forward group. They will wear down opposing defences quickly which could lead to a flurry of offensive opportunities. That means a breakout year for young talent on the 2020-21 Boston Bruins roster.
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