NHL Notebook: Cultivating an uber-skilled D corps might stand as Bruins' most ambitious roster makeover yet

In the 2011 film “Moneyball”, Arliss Howard’s cinematic equivalent of John Henry tosses out an interesting analogy to Billy Beane in an attempt to alleviate some of the venom spewed his way as an early adopter of sabermetrics.

"I know you are taking it in the teeth, but the first guy through the wall — he always gets bloody,” Henry describes. “Always.”

From Henry’s perspective, such an analogy offered validation toward Beene’s unorthodox (at the time) approach toward roster construction and team building — with the short-term criticism serving as a byproduct of Beane and the A's uprooting the established way of thinking when it comes to the game of baseball. 

In some respects, perhaps the Bruins feel as though they're in a similar boat — with their efforts of crafting a D corps that, well, doesn't follow the traditional script when it comes to personnel or style opening the door for more criticism than clear intrigue. 

Of course, the game of hockey has evolved rapidly over the years — and the expected copy-cat mantra that plenty of NHL franchises follow in wake of Stanley Cup champions has seen most teams embrace skill over size. And yet, for as much as today's game has opened the door for smaller blueliners like Torey Krug, Matt Grzelcyk and Jared Spurgeon to thrive — the overall composition of a effective D corps (at least ones that anchor deep playoff runs) often tend to possess the same characteristics. 

Namely, they're got a whole lot of heft. 

If you recall from our "lessons learned" column after both the Lightning and Canadiens punched their ticket to the 2021 Stanley Cup Final, some of the more successful teams in the league over the last few seasons featured big bodies on the blue line: 

2019 St. Louis Blues 

Alex Pietrangelo - 6-foot-3, 210 pounds
Colton Parayko - 6-foot-6, 230 pounds
Jay Bouwmeester - 6-foot-4, 206 pounds
Carl Gunnarsson - 6-foot-2, 198 pounds
Joel Edmundson - 6-foot-4, 215 pounds
Vince Dunn - 6-foot-0, 203 pounds

2020 Tampa Bay Lightning

Victor Hedman - 6-foot-6, 223 pounds
Ryan McDonagh - 6-foot-1, 215 pounds
Mikhail Sergachev - 6-foot-3, 215 pounds
Erik Cernak - 6-foot-3, 233 pounds
Kevin Shattenkirk - 6-foot-0, 206 pounds
Zach Bogosian - 6-foot-3, 221 pounds

The revamped 2021-22 Bruins defense, meanwhile, offers a bit of a different look. The addition of 6-foot-4 Derek Forbort certainly falls in line with hockey purists' traditional expectation of a functional and effective minutes-eating presence on the back end, while Brandon Carlo (albeit far from a bruiser) should be entrenched on the B's second pairing as a shutdown option.

But the rest of Boston's regulars are cut from a different cloth when compared to the defensemen of old. Charlie McAvoy is one of the top blueliners in the league — a transition wiz as adept at snuffing out scoring chances as he is jumpstarting plays down the other end of the ice. Grzelcyk is also a weapon on breakouts — using his feet and his on-ice awareness to get out of danger, but his smaller frame (5-foot-9, 175 pounds) still presents questions about his ability to execute his style of play over the span of a full season. Connor Clifton can certainly bring the thump, but the Quinnipiac product is also far from the biggest body on the blue line (5-foot-11, 195 pounds), while Mike Reilly's strengths tend to center on his own playmaking ability, particularly at even strength. 

Put all six skaters together — and you've got an uber-skilled defensive corps, no doubt. But it sure seems to go against the grain of what most teams have cultivated as a winning formula on the back end. 

So what exactly do the Bruins have? A group of tweeners not built for a sustainable brand of winning hockey (especially come the postseason?) Or an effective, new brand of blue-line play poised for success moving forward?

The Bruins sure seem think (or perhaps hope) it's the latter.

A good offense can be an effective defense

For as much as questions plagued the Bruins most of last season in terms of A - how youngsters like Jeremy Lauzon/Jakub Zboril would fare in regular roles and B - whether the personnel in place already wasn't hefty enough to handle the punishment expected over the span of a full season, the Bruins were once again one of the top defensive teams in the NHL last season — tied for fourth in goals against per game at 2.39 and second in expected even-strength goals against per 60 minutes at 1.96. 

Some of that falls on the play of guys like Tuukka Rask and Jeremy Swayman in net. It's also a testament to the stingy zone system that Bruce Cassidy has crafted over the years. 

But a significant reason as to why Boston rarely found itself on the ropes for extended stretches in the D-zone last year? It was because they spent most of their time down the other end of the ice. Teams can often fall down a slippery slope when it comes to encouraging an offensive-minded D corps (often leading to quality chances down the other end of the ice), but the bread-and-butter of Boston's playmaking D is centered more on getting the puck out of danger areas in a hurry and pushing the biscuit through the neutral zone — rather than necessarily activating off the offensive blue line in search of an O-zone haymaker.

McAvoy and Grzelcyk's transition ability has been well-documented, with both BU products capable of pushing the puck out of the D zone with crisp first passes and smooth exits into the neutral zone. 

But Reilly also offers value beyond his poise with the puck in the O-zone — establishing himself last season as an effective weapon on entries. Among NHL defensemen last year, Reilly ranked in the 91st percentile in controlled entry percentage (which measures the number of entries created by a player with possession of the puck versus the total entries created) and in the 83rd percentile of controlled entries against percentage. 

"We just try to play to our strengths, no matter what that is," Grzelcyk said. "So I'm a little bit of a smaller guy — so I rely on my quickness, moving the puck as quick as I can, not getting stuck in those battles down low. Just kind of playing to my strengths. I think especially with Derek, we added some size back there and got a taste of (Reilly) last year as well. So I think just play to our strengths, no matter what that is as a player and sort of build that chemistry with our partner and kind of go from there. 

"But we can use these next few weeks to our advantage and start to incorporate our systems as much as we can for the newer guys and I think we do play a little bit of a different style from some teams. So might take a little bit to kind of reel that in a little bit, but as defensemen — obviously our job is to play defense, but want to get the puck into the forwards' hands as quick as we can and make plays."

"We expect him to take on more the heavier shutdown minutes, PK and things like that," Cassidy said of Forbort's role. "But if he's the initiator of putting out fires in our own end and we get going the other way — well, that's all offense too, right? It's just he might not be the guy getting on the scoresheet to do it. So that's the expectation for him and how it can translate into offense and then we'll see where it goes from there."

More O-zone threats

Before the 2020-21 campaign got underway, Cassidy identified a lack of shot volume and creativity from his D corps as a serious flaw — one that played a major role in Boston's largely pedestrian offense away from its lethal power-play unit. 

And yet, while players like McAvoy and Grzelcyk made an emphasis on getting more pucks in net — or at least uncorking more attempts from up high — Boston's 5v5 offense still plummeted to the lower depths of the league standings right up until the trade deadline. But over the last 16 games of the regular season, Boston lit the lamp 43 times during 5v5 play. Only the Vegas Golden Knights had more 5v5 tallies over that same stretch. 

Some of that was due to the arrival of Taylor Hall, no doubt. But Cassidy has regularly stressed the impact that Reilly had on his D corps following his mid-season trade from Ottawa — and the numbers speak for themselves, with Reilly tying for second among all NHL defensemen in even-strength assists with 23 last season. 

(A look at Boston's evolving 5v5 offense last season and the marked improvement that presented itself in April once Reilly and Hall arrived on the scene. As you can see, there was a whole lot of excess shots generated from up high along the blue line that led to a heap of quality chances down low.)

A crisp breakout and transition game is paramount to a team's efforts of limiting D-zone shifts (and goals against), but the cherry on top comes when those playmakers can land punches down the other end of the ice — which came regularly with Reilly added to the mix. 

"We saw what Riley can do offensively," Cassidy said. "I think it was one of the big reasons there was talk to bring him back. He just added some pop to the backend from the blue line. I know he didn't score, but he made a lot of primary passes that result in goals and some secondary plays that started the domino effect of some goals. He did a really good job up there — recognizing when there was some space and then creating some space for himself, finding a shooting lane which we know is a skill now. 

"It's a lot more difficult than it looks with all the different layers and people's willingness to block shots. So he did really add a lot of value there and then the breakout pass  — I thought he was real good and the stretch pass is as good as anybody's. So we were able to build more of that into our game so it gets a few more quick strikes."

Now, Reilly isn't the lone offensive conduit in place — as Boston still expects more from both McAvoy and Grzelcyk in similar roles. And some of that optimism is valid, with Grzelcyk potentially in line for easier matchups in a third-pairing role and McAvoy's ceiling still not set, much to the horror of the rest of the NHL. 

But with innovation comes risk, and for all of the promising metrics put forth about Boston's new-look defense, doubts remain — some of them valid — about whether or not a D corps like this can truly thrive in the postseason. 

Like it or not, the Bruins are about to find out shortly.

OTHER NHL NOTES

Sabres strip Eichel of captaincy 

To the shock of … well, just about no one — Jack Eichel failed his physical with the Sabres on Wednesday.

And — in a similarly unsurprising development — the Sabres stripped the disgruntled star of his captaincy.

It’s just the latest chapter in the miserable tome that is the Buffalo Sabres’ existence and their latest descent following the promise that once permeated Western New York after Eichel arrived back in 2015. 

And frankly, it seems like everyone but the Sabres’ top brass wants this story to end. 

With Eichel almost certainly having played his last game with Buffalo — and with the North Chelmsford native STILL needing surgery to correct a herniated disk in his neck — the Sabres are stuck between a rock and a hard place, considering Eichel’s value continues to plummet and their prime window to deal him is well in the past. 

Considering that the Sabres are holding firm on their desire for Eichel to undergo fusion surgery — and the pivot isn’t budging on the artificial disk replacement procedure he wants — it sure looks like this stalemate isn’t ending any time soon. 

And accordingly, just about everyone else (the Sabres, Eichel, the NHL, and interested teams in the market for star centers) suffers as a result. 

NHL finds no evidence Kane bet on game, but opens new investigation

After months of investigation, the NHL released its findings into the gambling allegations surrounding San Jose Sharks winger Evander Kane — with the league revealing that it found no evidence that the forward bet on NHL games. 

The investigation was conducted by Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP — in conjunction with NHL Security — and was jumpstarted following allegations from Kane’s wife, Deanna, that he had bet on league games. 

"The investigation uncovered no evidence to corroborate Ms. Kane's accusations that Mr. Kane bet or otherwise participated in gambling on NHL games, and no evidence to corroborate the allegations that Mr. Kane 'threw' games or did not put forward his best effort to help the Sharks win games," the NHL said in a statement. "To the contrary, the evidence raises doubts about the veracity of the allegations."

However, while the NHL now considers this case closed when it comes to Kane betting on games, the league isn’t done with the forward — with the NHL release noting that “unrelated allegations of potential wrongdoing that were brought to the league's attention”, prompting yet another investigation. 

With yet another league investigation on the horizon, the Sharks released their own statement on Wednesday — noting that Kane will not take part in training camp until further notice. 

Earlier that same day, Front Office Sports reported that a a domestic violence restraining order application filed by Deanna Kane included allegations of both domestic violence and sexual assault. 

B’s replacing Ferguson by committee 

With Executive Director of Player Personnel John Ferguson, Jr. now off to Arizona, the Bruins’ front office went through a reshuffling of sorts — with Don Sweeney noting that Ferguson’s various duties will likely be divvied up among a number of individuals. 

"(Scout) Dennis Bonvie will take on a little more of the head scouting role and (Director of Player Development) Jamie (Langenbrunner) and (Assistant GM) Evan (Gold) will work in conjunction and handle most of the Providence duties," said Sweeney. "We'll see where we're at. We'll probably add somebody at some point in time to complement our group, but some of these guys have been looking to do more and it's a great opportunity for them."

2022 Olympics hockey schedule released

Ready to watch some NHLers back on the Olympic stage? You better load up your Dunkin’ account. 

With some of hockey’s top stars expected to head over to Beijing for the 2022 Winter Games, expect plenty of contests to drop the puck in either the early morning or late, late at night — with the NHL and IOC announcing the full schedule for the Olympic Games on Thursday morning.

The 2022 Olympic Tournament will feature 12 countries seeded into three groups. The participating countries are: Canada, USA, ROC (Russia), Sweden, Finland, Czech Republic, Germany, Switzerland, Slovakia, Latvia, Denmark and China. Each of the 12 teams will play three preliminary round games in group play. 

Group A includes Canada, the U.S., Germany and China. Group B is comprised of the Russian Olympic Committee, Czech Republic, Switzerland and Denmark. Group C is Finland, Sweden, Slovakia and Latvia.

The three first-place teams and top second-place team in group play will receive byes into the Olympic quarterfinals. The eight other teams will be paired in qualifying round games Feb. 15 with the winners advancing to the quarterfinals Feb. 16. The Olympic semifinals will be held Feb. 18, with the bronze medal game Feb. 19 and gold medal game Feb. 20.

Here is the full schedule: 

Wednesday, Feb. 9

At National Indoor Stadium

Russian Olympic Committee vs. Switzerland, 4:40 a.m. ET
Czech Republic vs. Denmark, 9:10 a.m. ET

Thursday, Feb. 10

At National Indoor Stadium

Sweden vs. Latvia, 12:10 a.m. ET
Finland vs. Slovakia, 4:40 a.m. ET
United States vs. China, 9:10 a.m. ET

At Wukesong Sport Center

Canada vs. Germany, 9:10 a.m. ET

Friday, Feb. 11

At National Indoor Stadium

Denmark vs. Russian Olympic Committee, 12:10 a.m. ET
Czech Republic vs. Switzerland, 4:40 a.m. ET
Latvia vs. Finland, 9:10 a.m. ET

At Wukesong Sport Center

Sweden vs. Slovakia, 4:40 a.m. ET

Saturday, Feb. 12

At National Indoor Stadium

Canada vs. United States, 12:10 a.m. ET
Germany vs. China, 4:40 a.m. ET
Russian Olympic Committee vs. Czech Republic, 9:10 a.m. ET

At Wukesong Sport Center

Switzerland vs. Denmark, 9:10 a.m. ET

Sunday, Feb. 13

At National Indoor Stadium

Slovakia vs. Latvia, 12:10 a.m. ET
Finland vs. Sweden, 4:40 a.m. ET
China vs. Canada, 9:10 a.m. ET

At Wukesong Sport Center

United States vs. Germany, 9:10 a.m. ET

Monday, Feb. 14

Off day

Tuesday, Feb. 15

At National Indoor Stadium
Qualifying round Game 1, 12:10 a.m. ET
Qualifying round Game 3, 4:40 a.m. ET
Qualifying round Game 4, 9:10 a.m. ET

At Wukesong Sport Center

Qualifying round Game 2, 2 a.m. ET

Wednesday, Feb. 16

At National Indoor Stadium

Quarterfinal 1, 12:10 a.m. ET
Quarterfinal 3, 4:40 a.m. ET
Quarterfinal 4, 9:30 a.m. ET

At Wukesong Sport Center

Quarterfinal 2, 2 a.m. ET

Thursday, Feb. 17

Off day

Friday, Feb, 18

At National Indoor Stadium

Semifinal 1, 12:10 a.m. ET
Semifinal 2, 9:10 a.m. ET

Saturday, Feb. 19

At National Indoor Stadium

Bronze medal game, 9:10 a.m. ET

Sunday, Feb. 20

At National Indoor Stadium

Gold medal game, 9:10 a.m. ET