Seguin/By S. Bradley
First there was the debate: Taylor Hall or Tyler Seguin.
And there was more debate: Seguin should play more or Seguin shouldn’t play at all.
While the Bruins didn’t have to make a decision in the first debate — Edmonton’s selection of Hall first overall at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft left Seguin for Boston — the Bruins found an answer somewhere in the middle of the second discussion.
Seguin got less playing time over the course of the season, but he did what he could with what he was given. As a 19-year-old rookie, he said all the right things in public and worked hard in practice. When the time came to make an impact on the sport’s biggest stage, he took advantage of his first taste of the playoffs.
While other ’10 first-round picks around the league put up better numbers, and Seguin wasn’t even the most productive rookie on his own team with Brad Marchand around, the chance to live and learn around NHLers during a run to the Stanley Cup championship had to be a boost to his development.
At the very least, he got to be part of one of the biggest celebrations in sports history.
Stats
Regular season: 74 GP, 11-11-22, minus-4
Playoffs: 13 GP, 3-4-7, plus-5
Contract status: Signed through 2012-13 at a $3.55 million cap hit (including bonuses)
Best regular-season moment: The start of one of the most famous Garden chants ever came Oct. 28 with Toronto in the house. Seguin scored his first home-ice goal in the Bruins’ 2-0 victory, which featured the crowd’s taunting of the Maple Leafs’ organization with screams of “Thank You Kessel.” After that game, the Bruins informed Seguin he would stay with them beyond the nine-game tryout period for junior-eligible players.
Best playoff moment: There weren’t too many to pick from considering Seguin was a healthy scratch for the first 11 games of the postseason. But when he stepped in for an injured Patrice Bergeron against Tampa Bay in the Eastern Conference Final, Seguin notched a goal in Game 1 as an appetizer. The main course came two nights later in Game 2, as he scored twice and added two assists (he was plus-3). Even though Seguin didn’t score another goal the rest of the playoffs, he had left his mark on Boston’s remarkable run.
Worst moment: In a sign of how scant his minutes would be over the course of the season, Seguin logged just 6:30 of ice time in a loss at Atlanta Dec. 30. Asked to come off the bench cold in the shootout, Seguin missed his attempt.
Regular-season grade: B-minus
Playoffs grade: B. He managed to pick up his defensive game even though he stopped scoring after Game 2 against Tampa.
Carnac predicts … Seguin will earn a spot in Boston’s top six next season and become productive even if he doesn’t reach superstar status just yet.
David I think fans and maybe the coaches expected more from Seguin. I think I did. Mostly what I saw were really good flashes offensively with pretty weak defense through most of the regular season.
I think in the playoffs though he really showed just what potential he has and the player he can become. He has really nice hands and good speed and I think he has a certain sense of when he should shoot and when he should pass-that vision is there-he just has to bring it to the NHL level.
I waiver between whether he should wing Bergeron or Krejci (I would really love to see what he could do with either center) and having him developed at Center (because I think once he gets his defensive game down he will be very good there).
I know Julien took a ton of criticism for how he handled Seguin, but I think over the long haul his rookie season will make him a better player.
Also, one thing in Seguins defense is that Hall and most of the other straight to NHL draftees had an extra year in juniors compared to Seguin. Seguin had to step his game up big time and he had less time to develop his junior game when doing so.
I am happy with this pick and I actually agree that the importance of being able to play center is a key to a playoff run. I think the Bruins learned that the hard way when they lost Savard and then Krejci in 2010. I think that is the lesson that Chiarelli learned the hard way and is why I think when he traded for forwards in 2011 he traded for guys who could play center or wing. It paid off when the team lost Bergeron for a few games and later Horton.
I’m not sure why so much hate for Seguin, maybe he just didn’t live up to his rookie myth last year. I though he looked loads better in the playoffs, let’s hope he can make a habit of game 2, 2nd period of the ECF. Outside of that period for the ages, he was SO much smarter during the playoffs, I saw flashes of Savard and Bergeron in his game. If he can use that to grow this season and secure Recchi’s spot, he has at least 20 goals and 40 assists, while Bergey will have 30 goals, and likely so will Marchand. He really needs to be with better offensive talent as long as he upholds his current level of play.
You don’t have to love Seguin, but I am surprised that any Bs fan would not like him. He played his best hockey when it mattered most, in probably the 14 most pressure-filled games of the season.
He’s got a year under his belt, and again, not an ordinary year. A year plus two 7-game playoff series to win the SC. He will be just fine, and soon.
MCK,…I’m with you on the Seguin call…your “if” is the decider. Hopefully, he adds some lower body strength and upper body bulk between now and September.
Should be a dogfight for Recchi and Ryder spots from the B’s young talent,… if PC doesn’t add any UFA’s.
Caron does not have Seguin level talent, but can certainly be an effective winger that brings some size without a huge skill sacrifice. Kid did pretty well at the start of the year with the big club, another season in AHL was the right move, but another year will not help. Might as well see if the kid can make it on the 3rd line, if not we move on.
Craig Button is the only guy that went on record saying he would have taken Seguin over Hall. Mostly because he thinks positionally that center is more important. I think this years B’s proved how much good centres mean. If your middle guys don’t play 200 feet you’re dead.
I bet he is remarkably better next season. He has a full season (including a long playoff run) under his belt. He will now be a part of the big-boy offseason program, rather than the rookie camps. He should play with other players with offensive talent. If he plays with Marchand and Bergeron they will terrorize teams and probably be the best line. He is the most offensively gifted player on this team.
I am curious to see what they do with Seguin next year. A part of me likes the idea of letting him wing Bergeron or Krejci for some games. But I also wonder if they may not have him centering the 3rd line to develop there.
Either way the one thing I noticed was that in the play offs the kid was a little more willing to make and take contact compared to the regular season-and while he wasn’t really huge on the scoreboard in the Canucks series, I saw him do some things positioning wise that allowed the Bruins to either maintain possession or to break up the Canucks movement.
He still seems prone to mistakes, but I think the leap from juniors to the NHL is a big one and his shows a lot of promise. I look forward to seeing what he does next season.
I don’t get Karl’s posts, or his hate for Seguin, or his dream that Savvy will play again.
I am with you Pierre. Though, I would love to see them add Higgins or Langenbrunner or someone like that on the cheap in case Caron can’t handle it. They need a depth piece there at forward.
I am ready to go forward with Kampfer or Bartowski getting 6th man minutes. Make a midseason trade if need be.
If anyone followed the draft they will know that there wasn’t a player close to Hall and Seguin this year. It was as lame as the UFA’s. I can’t wait to see Seguin play his natural position with some strength and experience.
I’m so over Savvy. This was a guy that couldn’t check his coat and may have never played a playoff game if he didn’t come to Boston. It’s funny how everyone forgets the first part of his career. Now he’s the greatest living Bruin besides Orr even though he had nothing to do with this cup. He hasn’t played in two years and I’ve moved on. Sorry to be so blunt. As far as Caron playing ahead of Seguin he better take some power skating lessons this summer.
Caron? Why? Has shown no reason he is ready for the big club.
Karl, that analysis is just wierd. Apparently, you know things that no one else does (like Savard coming back; even Savard doesn’t know if Savard is coming back) while not knowing things obvious to everyone else (like that Seguin, while green, is an elite talent).
put down the paint cans and paper bags. no way segzy cracks the top 6. he’ll be lucky to play over caron once savvy comes back.
khl
marchand-bergy-pev
kelly-savvy (he will be back)-segzy or caron
soup
I like those lines too but I want to see if Ryan Spooner can crack this lineup maybe fight with Caron for it, Either way im happy with either rookie? to step in there
That’s it, Pierre. That’s basically what I think we’ll see to start 11/12 with, although I am pumped to see how some of our other forwards are developing!
KHL line= known
Bergy/Marchand/Seguin= responsible, dynamic and fast
Kelly/Peverly/Caron=steady D with offensive upside and speed
Merlot line= known
forget overpaying for a forward now