Bruins 2015-16 Report Cards: Defensemen
By Matt Kalman, CBS Boston
BOSTON (CBS) -- The season before Claude Julien took over as Bruins coach, they finished 29th in goals allowed per game at 3.48.
Julien's Bruins improved to 11th (2.62) in 2007-08.
Bruins Report Cards: Forwards
After finishing 20th in goals allowed per game (2.78) this season, the worst defensive showing by the Bruins in the Julien era, the coach will try to reward the Boston's faith in him by leading another major improvement.
The Bruins were already at a disadvantage heading into this season because of the trade of Dougie Hamilton. And then other factors contributed to their struggles, leaving general manager Don Sweeney with the gigantic task of remaking the defense corps this summer.
Here are the 2015-16 report cards for the Bruins defensemen:
Torey Krug
Grade: B+
That darn goal drought (54 games) tarnished an above-average season, as Krug continued to improve in all areas. He set career highs in almost all categories and held his own at times as a top-four defenseman. He also had some tough nights against tougher competition, as one would expect.
Zdeno Chara
Grade: B+
Rather than comparing Chara's season to his past, you can compare it to the average 39-year-old and realize that without much help he was still damn strong as a top-two defenseman. Sure there are more miscues with the puck and more battles lost, but that's to be expected. He's still a physical specimen few want to deal with and would be better in a slightly lesser role in a deeper defense corps.
John-Michael Liles
Grade: B
Liles gave the Bruins exactly what they wanted. He made more clean plays out of the defensive zone than errors and helped keep the power play a threat. The Bruins still could've missed the playoffs without him.
Kevan Miller
Grade: B-
Every Bruins defense corps has one player fans and pundits love to hate, and Miller was this season's edition. He had a rough first half but settled down in the second half of the season even though he was miscast as a top-pair guy. You can't sneeze at his five goals scored.
Colin Miller
Grade: B-
No Bruins defenseman had higher expectations than the younger Miller. Offensively he seemed ready for the NHL and his possession numbers were strong. Still he lacked the ability to win battles, especially in front of the net, and made some costly mistakes that made life difficult on the Bruins.
Dennis Seidenberg
Grade: D
The wheels are coming off the veteran, who never really got his season on track. Once again an injury ended his season early and the Bruins are going to have to seriously consider a buyout, which would save a little cap space, but more importantly open up playing time for the next generation.
Adam McQuaid
Grade: C+
This was supposed to be McQuaid's big breakout season as a top-four defenseman. He had his moments, but he battled his typical injuries and had a tough time against stiffer competition most of the season.
Zach Trotman
Grade: F
Of all the Bruins' young defensemen, Trotman was supposed to be the one most ready to graduate to a regular NHL role. However, he never earned a spot and only seemed able to play decently when paired with Chara. He only got in the lineup 38 times.
Joe Morrow
Grade: C
His calmness can be an asset but it doesn't endear him to coaches. You couple calmness with sometimes baffling decision-making and you get a defenseman that might never meet expectations that come with being a first-round pick. It'll be interesting to see how the new coaching staff handles Morrow's development.
Incomplete: Tommy Cross, Matt Irwin (although his two games for the Bruins definitely earned a F)
Matt Kalman covers the Bruins for CBSBoston.com and also contributes to NHL.com and several other media outlets. Follow him on Twitter @TheBruinsBlog.
