In recent years one of the Bruins strengths has been their depth on the blueline.
Last year saw the emergence of Connor Clifton and prospects such as Jakub Zbroil and Jeremy Lauzon getting their first taste of NHL action.
With the Bruins defense currently in flux, there will most likely be more chances next year for Zboril and Lauzon to prove themselves.
Between the two, Lauzon was the most impressive and will be looking to earn a spot much like Clifton did last season.
Although Lauzon was effective in his brief NHL action last year, he will likely start this season in Providence. Assuming Carlo and McAvoy return the Bruins will again be deep on the blueline.
They also have Uhro Vaakaneinen who has risen through the system and would’ve seen more time in the NHL last year had he not suffered a concussion.
Even with the uncertainty, Lauzon will be ready as no one can predict when injuries will occur. In 29 games for Providence last year, the former second-round pick had one goal and six assists.
Although those numbers are not eye-opening, his offensive instincts did improve. He was able to match his offensive totals from the year before while appearing in 23 fewer games.
Additionally, when Lauzon was called up to the NHL, he made a solid first impression. Though he still has room to improve, he showed a willingness to get up the ice and close the gaps. The 22-year old was not afraid to put his body on the line as in 15 games, he had 15 blocked shots.
Furthermore, Lauzon was aggressive in the offensive zone. While the Canadian native only had one goal, he attempted 29 shots.
The highly-touted prospect seemingly earned Bruce Cassidy’s trust as he averaged 15:32 minutes of ice time. Being thrust into NHL action, his plus-minus rating was negative one.
Lauzon’s improved play was partly due to an increase in confidence. He had added about 10 more pounds in muscle in the offseason, which allowed him to be more physical.
The Bruins young defenseman did not only impress his coach but also his defensive partner Matt Grzelcyk. Lauzon’s aggressive style in closing the gaps allowed Grzelcyk to anticipate different situations.
After making a good impression in his first NHL stint, the key for Lauzon will be staying healthy. He has battled injuries since being drafted and was limited at the end of last year.
If Lauzon can continue to improve, then he could get another opportunity this upcoming season. Unfortunately, like last year, patience will be key, as Lauzon waits for his opportunity.
