As we approach the second month of the still young 2017-18 NHL regular season, it’s time to take a look at how the Boston Bruins’ well hyped rookie trio has done so far.
Anders Bjork, Charlie McAvoy and Jake Debrusk have shown a lot of promise.
Anders Bjork
The 21-year-old Notre Dame star has three goals and four assists so far, but has been rather inconsistent.
One moment he will help jump-start an offensive explosion like he did against Vancouver then the next thing you know is he hasn’t recorded a point in three straight games (Oct. 30 – present).
Anders Bjork has shown he is capable, but keeping him on the top line with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand may prove to do more harm than good.
On paper, playing alongside some of the NHL’s best should help a rookie develop into a superstar, but Bjork is proving far two reliant on his high-tier line mates.
Six of Bjork’s seven points have come while Bergeron was on the ice. He recorded a single point in the five games that Bergeron missed due to injury.
Jake Debrusk
Boston’s other rookie left wing is having a rookie season similar to that of Bjork’s, several signs of promise, but a lot of inconsistency.
Jake Debrusk got off to a hot start after scoring two goals in his first four games, then cooled off big time. He followed his hot start by going six straight games without a point.
He currently has a team worst plus minus of -9.
In Debrusk’s defense, the Bruins have recently been mauled with injuries, forcing him to play on several line combinations to start his career.
The 21-year-old recently recorded a goal and an assist in last week’s win over the Golden Knights and looks to start trending upward once again.
Charlie McAvoy
Charlie McAvoy is enjoying the best rookie season of the trio by far. If he continues his high level of play, he is a serious contender for the Calder Memorial Trophy.
Injuries have forced him to play extra time and he has made the most of it. He leads all NHL rookies with a stunning 22:47 time on ice per game.
Blue line injuries have also allowed him to start alongside Zdeno Chara far sooner than anybody anticipated.
The 19-year-old is seeing several team’s top forwards and holding his own.
He has only lit the lamp once, but has eight assists which is the second most on the Bruins entire roster.
He has also emerged as a key part of Boston’s stout penalty kill, which ranks fourth in the league.
Only time will tell if McAvoy is the real deal, but he is off to a sensational start.
