Defenseman Adam McQuaid Nearing A Return To The Boston Bruins’ Lineup
© 2107 Jordan Long
The Boston Bruins will have an important
defenseman back in the lineup soon -- Adam McQuaid. He has been out since
October 19th because of a broken right leg. But he practiced with his
teammates Monday as part of his rehab program. According to NBCSports.com,
Bruins Head Coach Bruce Cassidy said, “He’s still got a ways to go, so I don’t
want to even speculate [on a return date]. We’ll start to sort the pieces
together when he’s truly ready to play, but it’s nice to have him around.
He’s a great guy and his teammates all love him.”
McQuaid is a large part of the Bruins’
defense. He plays on the power play kill and full strength. McQuaid
is able to poke check the puck from entering the defensive zone. Teams
are thwarted from setting up in Boston’s zone because of his checking.
McQuaid brings value by blocking shots from being on net. When the Bruins
have the puck in the offensive end, he will shoot the puck from the point for
one-timers. Those end in goals and rebounds. And McQuaid has the
ability to pass to his teammates for wide-open shots.
On short-handed opportunities, he is
able to fire the puck down to the other end of the ice to take time off the
penalty. When McQuaid has an opening he uses his speed to create a
short-handed chance.
The Bruins are eager to have him back on
the ice. They know what he can do for the team. The Bruins have
played decent defensive hockey allowing 2.74 goals per game. On the power
play they kill off 85.5% of their penalties. With McQuaid those totals will
be even better.
But the Bruins can’t rush McQuaid back
on the ice. They must take their time with him. It would be a shame
if they allowed McQuaid to play and he was injured again. Hopefully they
will let him play once he is 100%.
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