Ready or not, here come some more Bruins grades! This time we’ll be looking at two more of the B’s defensemen in Adam McQuaid and Kevan Miller.
McQuaid
Inside the regular season numbers: 2 goals, 8 assists, 10 points, +4
Inside the postseason numbers: 0 goals, 1 assist, 1 point, +/- 0
Grade: B-
\McQuaid was once again a solid contribution to the Bruins’ blue line, but consistency was once again an issue. He was +4 on the year.
McQuaid went through patches of the season in which he looked like a solid lockdown defenseman. However, during other patches, he was constantly caught playing too aggressive and as a result opposing teams took advantage of him.
McQuaid’s offense left something to be desired, but his defensive play was solid enough to give him a pass for now. He lit the lamp twice during the 2016-2017 season.
Like pretty much all of the Bs blue line, McQuaid was bitten by the injury bug this year. He suffered a scare in march when teammate David Backes’ skate sliced his neck. Somehow, McQuaid was perfectly fine, he recieved 25 stitches and didn’t miss any playing time.
McQuaid was among the mass of blue line injuries that hit the Bruins in the post season. His playoff run was limited to only two games due to an upper body injury.
Miller
Inside the regular season numbers: 3 goals, 10 assists, 13 points, +1
Inside the postseason numbers: 0 goals, 0 assists, 0 points, +/- 0
Grade: B-
Miller’s value to the Bruins is currently difficult to get a best on. The last few season prior to the 2016-2017 campaign had seen little growth. Miller seemed to be getting something going at times this year, then would falter.
Miller was battling a bicep and shoulder injury throughout the season, thus making it even more difficult to fairly grade his play. Defensively he was solid enough and his offensive numbers were pretty solid given that he’s a defenseman who played less than sixty games.
Miller played in all six of the Bruins playoff games and played fairly well given all of the injuries he was battling at the time. When he did find ice time in April, he was invisible on offense, but didn’t give up anything on defense.
The Bruins will hopefully get a better season out of Miller if he can stay healthy. He is not expected to need surgery for either of his injuries.
