Within the NHL, it’s typically considered as a significant benefit to personal an abundance of dependable defense men down the stretch. That is very true when these defense men are recent and younger, with a capability to skate vital minutes.
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The Boston Bruins appear to be in that kind of scenario as we hit the All-Star break. With the recall of Jeremy Lauzon from the American Hockey League, the Bruins confirmed the true organizational depth they’ve and the next-man-up mentality that has outlined them all through an injury-riddled season.
Lauzon Recalled
The Bruins introduced on Tuesday morning that they’d be recalling Lauzon, a 22-year-old defenseman, from the Windfall Bruins. The defender is a former second-round decide and can be recognized for his heroics within the 2017 World Junior Championships for Crew Canada; enjoying towards his now-teammate Charlie McAvoy who was then a member of Crew USA. Lauzon has first rate dimension, standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing 205 kilos – he scored 13 factors in 43 video games for Windfall within the AHL this season.
Boston Bruins’ Jeremy Lauzon defends towards Tampa Bay Lightning’s Ryan Callahan (AP Photograph/Michael Dwyer)
The Bruins recalled Lauzon, in search of a spark, and he offered it immediately, scoring a purpose towards the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday evening to tie the sport at one purpose apiece. His presence was a wanted increase for Boston, who’ve struggled to complete off video games extra this season than in previous seasons.
The Bruins have typically recalled younger skaters late and performed them in impactful roles into the postseason. Within the 2012-13 season, it was Torey Krug who scored 4 targets en path to the Bruins’ win within the Jap Convention Last over the Pittsburgh Penguins. One other instance got here final season when Connor Clifton was recalled late and have become an impactful member of one other Bruins convention championship. This begs the query: might Lauzon be an impactful newcomer this season? Solely time will inform, nevertheless, his first recreation was a step in the correct route.
A Plethora of Younger Defenseman
Lauzon is only one instance of the organizational depth the Bruins have on protection. Lots of their younger skaters – McAvoy, Clifton, Matt Grzelcyk, and Brandon Carlo – have already reached the NHL, however there are nonetheless a number of younger defensemen within the Bruins system who’re near breaking the floor.
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Lauzon has performed a number of video games within the NHL previously and is getting one other alternative now. He’s included in a prospect pool that features former first-round decide Urho Vaakanainen who has seen a while within the NHL and appears to be a promising younger defenseman. Additionally within the pipeline are Jakub Zboril, one other former first-round decide, and 6-foot-6 defenseman Wiley Sherman, previously of Harvard College. Different prospects are additional creating, comparable to Axel Andersson, a promising second-round decide from two years in the past.
Urho Vaakanainen (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)
Defensive depth is at all times vital as groups get deeper and deeper right into a run for the postseason, and the Bruins’ group of younger defense men is as soon as once more deep sufficient to take them on a run within the playoffs.
Groups just like the Washington Capitals and resurgent Tampa Lightning, each with very deep rosters themselves, will stand of their manner.
