Interesting week in the NHL, with the Boston Bruins active, while the Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning punched their tickets to the Stanley Cup Final.
For many B's fans, this is a pick-your-poison scenario, as the Bolts are looking to repeat after knocking Boston out a year ago and finishing off the New York Islanders in a seven-game semifinal series that went down to the wire Friday. The Canadiens got stellar play in net from Carey Price and key contributions from key veterans like Corey Perry and Paul Byron, but the story of the series was electric rookie sniper Cole Caufield.
How did the diminutive Wisconsin native slip to 15th overall in the 2019 NHL draft with his rifle release and ability to score from anywhere? Draft watchers are already looking at where he would go in a re-do of the first round. The B’s had no shot at Caufield, and so it will fall to other teams and their fans in front of Montreal to wonder what might have been. Caufield is the U.S. National Team Development Program’s all-time goal scorer with 126 tallies (breaking Phil Kessel’s record of 104) in just two seasons before scoring another 50 in two years with the University of Wisconsin. He’ll fill the net in the NHL.
The stage is set for the 2021 Stanley Cup Final, with a potential repeat champion or Montreal’s first title in 28 years, while the Bruins already are well into preparations for the 2021-22 NHL regular season. Here is analysis of of the latest relevant news in Boston.
Bergeron wins NHL Mark Messier Leadership Award
It isn’t the Frank J. Selke Trophy, but Patrice Bergeron took home a big award last week.
The NHL and Messier himself announced Wednesday that Boston’s first-year captain was the 2021 recipient of the award. Bergeron exemplified professional excellence with his on-ice leadership and a commitment to the community off the ice, leading numerous initiatives to support area children’s hospitals and build hockey programs for disadvantaged youth.
Bergeron was chosen by Messier after the Hall of Fame forward and five-time Stanley Cup champion reviewed candidates submitted by all NHL clubs.
"I've been so fortunate to be able to learn from great leaders before me, and this award is also a testament to them and the culture that they have created here," said Bergeron. "I also want to thank the people in New England and our fans. I've gotten to meet some extraordinary people and some incredibly strong kids over the years who have taught me a lot about strength and perseverance, resiliency, and they truly embody what this award is all about."
The Messier Leadership Award has been given out since 2007, and past recipients include inaugural winner Chris Chelios (Red Wings), Jarome Iginla (Flames) and Sidney Crosby (Penguins). Bergeron joins Zdeno Chara as the second Bruins captain to receive the honor, Chara earning recognition after Boston’s Stanley Cup run in 2011.
Frederic re-signs for two years
The team announced that 2016 first-round pick Trent Frederic agreed to terms on a two-year extension that will pay him $1.05 million per.
The 6-foot-2, 230-pound, rugged forward just completed his first full NHL season and did not put up much in the way of offensive production with four goals and five points in 42 games as a role player/grinder. However, he did impress with his physicality and toughness. Frederic finished his hits consistently and was willing to drop the gloves, igniting a rivalry with Washington’s Tom Wilson and hanging in well against the league’s top power forward with a pair of fights in February and March.
Frederic could be one of the Boston players exposed to the Seattle Kraken in next month’s expansion draft. All NHL teams except for Vegas, which is exempt from the draft, are allowed to protect either seven forwards, three defensemen and a goalie or eight skaters (f/d) and a goalie.
The expansion draft takes place on July 21, and we’re sure to see some league-wide intrigue as that date draws closer.
Target: 2021 draft
Corson Ceulemans, RD, 6-2/200, Brooks Bandits (AJHL)
The Saskatchewan native is a total NHL package of size, skating, puck skills, shot and hockey IQ that lends itself to effective two-way play.
Playing for the same Alberta-based junior A team that produced Colorado Avalanche and former UMass superstar Cale Makar, Ceulemans is a different type of player. He’s got the big pro-style body and moves very well for his size. His skating is less about speed and more about fluid footwork, direction change and being able to explode to pucks in small areas. A breakout machine who gets back to pucks quickly and wheels them out with his feet or hard stretch passes, Ceulemans at times made it look easy in Brooks (limited sample size of 14 games).
He stepped it up for Canada at the World Under-18 Championship in May, helping his team capture the gold medal and Canada’s first U-18 title since 2013. Ceulemans’ defensive play was more structured and disciplined against the higher, elite international competition he faced.
Ceulemans has a big shot that he can get off quickly from the point and brings an element of physicality to his defensive zone play, able to make hits in open ice or jam opponents into the walls to end their forward momentum.
Headed to the University of Wisconsin in the fall, don’t expect to see Ceulemans in the NCAA for very long before the NHL team that drafts him comes looking to sign him.
Scout’s Out: “I thought he was a bit of a rover and gambler at Brooks, but he showed me something at the worlds. He played a structured defensive game and kept it simple. With his size, offensive element and a willingness to play a smarter game with a lot on the line, I think he’s going to translate to the NHL.” — NHL scout, Western Conference
NEHJ draft prediction: Prior to the U-18 tournament, it looked like Ceulemans would be there at 20 for the Bruins. He might have played his way into the top 15-17 picks with his strong defensive performance and eight points in seven games. If he’s there when Boston picks, it would be hard to pass him up, as his game resembles that of Charlie McAvoy and he eventually wouldgive the team a needed 1-2 ‘D’ punch on the right side, especially with Brandon Carlo's injury woes of late.
