McDonald: Taking stock of the Bruins' roster after 20 games

I’m not a big fan of giving athletes letter grades for their performances. We’re talking pro hockey, not math class. However, player evaluations are critical to individual and team success. The 2017-18 Boston Bruins have completed 20 games and no doubt it’s been a trying first quarter of the season. The Bruins are 9-7-4 (22 points).

Describing it as adversity would be a huge understatement. Already the Bruins have had 94 man-games lost. It also doesn’t help that Boston hasn’t had a completely healthy lineup once this season. It’ll be tough to figure out this team’s identity until everyone is back.

In the meantime, I believe the youth core of this team will be better served after handling the team’s early-season misfortunes. It’s actually ideal for their developmental process.

So, here are the first evaluations of the season.

COACH

Bruce Cassidy: He’s honest and insightful. He doesn’t hold back getting his message across to the players – positive and negative. The team has bought into his high-paced philosophies during practices and games. It’ll be interesting to see what his team looks like once everyone is healthy and in the lineup.

GOALTENDING

Tuukka Rask: Subpar performance to start the season. His 3-7-2 record, along with a 2.89 goals-against average and a .897 save percentage is unlike Rask. He hasn’t been much help in front of him, but he hasn’t been at his personal best either. Maybe this brief stint on the bench will help push him in the right direction.

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Anton Khudobin: During the offseason, the Bruins had questions about their backup goalie situation. Those concerns don’t exist at this point. Khudobin has been solid. He’s earned points in all eight starts he’s made this season at a time when the Bruins desperately needed help from their goalie. He's 6-0-2  with a 2.12 goals-against average and a .938 save percentage.

DEFENSE

Zdeno Chara: Not bad for a 40-year-old. Yes, there are some games when the captain looks much older, but he’s still effective. Would like to see a little more from him in front of the Bruins’ net because too many times opponents are scoring from that spot with Chara on the ice. His puck management needs to be more consistent too.

Charlie McAvoy: The rookie’s poise is off the charts. He’s becoming more and more comfortable each game and he’s starting to control the play, which is one of his many strengths. He’s on the ice in every situation and is averaging 25 minutes of ice time per game. There’s a reason he’s already in contention for the Calder Trophy.

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Torey Krug: He’s become a leader on and off the ice. Has the ability to impact the game at both ends of the ice.

Brandon Carlo: Since he’s no longer paired with Chara, Carlo has taken on more responsibility on the second pairing. He’s struggled a bit with costly turnovers and untimely penalties, but there will be plenty of consistent upside to his game once he figures it out. Remember, he’s only in his second season.

Kevan Miller: He’s versatile and can play both the right and left side. He’s one of the strongest defenders in the league and Miller should be considered a true NHL defenseman. Hockey is a game of mistakes, and he’ll make some, but his overall game is solid.

Paul Postma: He was brought to Boston to add veteran depth on the blue line. With all the injuries on the back end, he’s been thrust into action and has been serviceable. He possesses a big shot and has learned the systems.

Adam McQuaid: This man plays all out all the time. Because of that style, he’s prone to injuries and he’s missed 14 games with a broken right fibula.

Rob O’Gara: When needed, he’s entered the lineup and added size and strength. He still needs to develop, but has the potential to eventually become a full-time NHLer.

Matt Grzelcyk: He’s a developing puck-moving defenseman. Has the ability to get up the ice quick on the rush. There are a lot of similarities to Krug’s style of play. Only time will tell if Grzelcyk can compete and be successful on a consistent basis at this level.

FORWARDS

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Patrice Bergeron: Continues to be one of the best two-way forwards in the NHL. The new faceoff restrictions have not affected his ability to win draws. He missed the first five games of the season with a lower-body injury. His workload has increased due to all the injuries up front.

Brad Marchand: Has missed six of the last eight games due to a concussion. Prior to his injury, he had eight goals and seven assists for 15 points in 14 games. He’s become an elite player and complements Bergeron well on the team’s top line.

David Pastrnak: It’s a bit concerning when he goes through a stretch without a point. Earlier in the season, he was showing his dynamic offensive ability, but his defensive game was lacking. Cassidy criticized Pastrnak publicly and the two spoke about what’s needed from his game. It didn’t help that linemate David Krejci was injured and out of the lineup. The Bruins signed Pastrnak to a six-year deal worth $40 million in September.

David Krejci: A lot of hard minutes played on the veteran’s body. He missed 11 games with a back injury, which is something he’ll battle for the remainder of the year. When he’s in the lineup, he has the ability to slow the game down, which is good for a player like Pastrnak. Krejci’s presence is critical for the power play.

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Jake DeBrusk: Nov. 11 should always stay in the back of the rookie’s mind. It was the first time he’s been a healthy scratch and the wakeup call worked. Since that one game, he’s been outstanding in every aspect of the game. He’s playing the type of hockey the Bruins expected from him. He’ll continue to experience the ebbs and flows of a rookie, but it’s evident he’s turned a corner after watching from press level.

Anders Bjork: Before he suffered an upper-body injury, likely a concussion, and missed the last four games, the rookie forward was still trying to find his game at this level. He made the team out of camp and was playing alongside Bergeron and Marchand. At times, you could see his ability with the puck. He was overmatched at times, but he’ll be better in that aspect once he gets bigger and stronger, similar to what Pastrnak dealt with when he first entered the league.

Matt Beleskey: This has been tough to watch the last two seasons. The Bruins are being criticized for giving the veteran forward a five-year deal worth $19 million on July 1, 2015. Beleskey hasn’t earned it and has been pushed out of the lineup on a consistent basis by younger players in the organization. At this point, it would be tough to trade him and if they do, the Bruins would have to eat a lot of the remaining contract.

Tim Schaller: He’s been versatile. He’s at his best in the bottom six, especially on the line with Riley Nash and Noel Acciari. Schaller has been relied upon in crucial moments late in the game to keep the puck deep in the offensive end.

Riley Nash: Has been used up and down the lineup out of necessity. Has been important on the PK. He’s better suited for the bottom six.

Noel Acciari: It’s no coincidence the Bruins have been a better team with him back in the lineup. He missed 13 games with a broken index finger. Opponents are aware of when he’s on the ice. The Bruins feed of his skating and physical play. His offensive game is beginning to come around.

Frank Vatrano: Has struggled to maintain a consistent performance. Has been exactly what the Bruins need him to be the last few games when he’s moving his legs, getting in on the forecheck and getting pucks to the net. Needs to do more of that.

Sean Kuraly: You won’t find him taking many shifts off. He’s been valuable in the bottom six when the team needed him to be. Has made the most of his opportunity. Needs to remain consistent.

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Danton Heinen: Has earned his spot in the top six. During the offseason, the Bruins felt either Heinen or Bjork would fit well with Bergeron and Marchand. Bjork won the spot out of camp, but Heinen has played extremely well in every respect — especially on the power play — while Spooner was sidelined. When Bjork returns, it could be difficult for him to slot back in the top six with the way Heinen’s been playing.

Peter Cehlarik: His offseason and training camp were interrupted due to a shoulder injury. He was one of the better players for the P-Bruins and he’s made a quick impact in the four games he’s played for Boston. He’s big, physical and strong. Really like him playing with Krejci. Once everyone is healthy, Cassidy will have some tough decisions to make.

Ryan Spooner: Missed 14 games with a groin tear. Returned to the lineup Wednesday night against the Devils. He was struggling prior to his injury. The Bruins will look for him to make a positive impact on the power play. If he doesn’t, he’ll be watching from press level more often than not.

David Backes: The veteran has missed 10 games after having surgery to remove a portion of his colon due to a bout of diverticulitis. He’s been skating with the team in a no-contact sweater the last few days but the Bruins miss his leadership and presence on and off the ice.

Jordan Szwarz: With Spooner returning to the lineup, Szwarz was assigned to Providence. During his nine-game stint with the Bruins, he was effective and proved he can handle playing at this level. This won’t be his only visit to Boston this season.

Austin Czarnik: Has played only six games for the Bruins this season and is currently with the P-Bruins. He never takes a shift off and impressed Cassidy.