McQuaid/By S. Bradley
If the top Halloween costume in New England this fall isn’t “Darth Quaider” then we have all failed.
Bruins rookie defenseman Adam McQuaid both improved by leaps and bounds in all areas of his game and inspired one of the greatest nicknames in franchise history, courtesy of teammate Andrew Ference.
Coming off a lackluster cup of coffee with the Bruins in 2009-10, hardly anyone could’ve imagined that McQuaid would spend large chunks of the Bruins’ Stanley Cup championship season munching top-four minutes.
That he led the league in plus/minus for a few weeks of the season (and finished an amazing plus-30) and still managed to find time for 12 fights only added to his legend and made you wonder if he really could build hockey’s version of the Death Star.
Stats
Regular season: 67 GP, 3-12-15, plus-30
Playoffs: 23 GP, 0-4-4, plus-8
Contract status: Signed through 2011-12 at $575,000 cap hit
Best regular-season moment: Any doubts that McQuaid could be an NHL regular were erased Dec. 18 against Washington. He not only recorded an assist on a Patrice Bergeron goal but beat down Captials forward Matt Bradley in a bout that Bradley started in an effort to turn momentum his team’s way. The fight was immortalized on the HBO show “24/7.”
Best playoff moment: By the time the postseason rolled around, McQuaid had become downright bold with his play at both ends. He showed that in the most crucial situation imaginable, as his pinch down the right boards and his work to dig out the puck in overtime of Game 7 against Montreal helped set up Nathan Horton’s game-winner and clinch a first-round victory for the Bruins.
Worst moment: The puck-controlling ways of Detroit dazzled the Bruins during a home-and-home sweep by the Red Wings in February. McQuaid looked out of his league in the first game, with a minus-2 rating, zero shots and zero blocked shots. Luckily, the Bruins never had to face Detroit again after that series.
Regular-season grade: A-minus
Playoff grade: B. McQuaid’s play tailed off a bit over the final two rounds, particularly against the speedy Canucks.
Carnac predicts … McQuaid will settle in on a third pair next season while sometimes filling in in the top four — enough to earn a better pay day and a top-four job somewhere next summer.
Quaider did an great job last year. He is not a liability when he is on the ice. Wait till he develops. If he is a 5 on our depth charts , imagine the top 4.
I think is one of the most improved players on the squad. I think one of the best playoff moments was when he challenged Raffi Torres and Torres did want any part of him. I also thought he saved Kaberle’s bacon more than once. I wouldn’t get to caught up in whether he is a 4th, 5th, or 6th defenceman. Julien will play the guys that deserve more time. I don’t think they want to get rid of him or Boychuk. You have to remember the rest of defense corps is over 30, and age can come quickly. Both McQuaid and Boychuk played well and contributed on a Stanley Cup champion team and we should remember that. Lots of players can look good during the regular season but fold in the playoffs. Neither Boychuk or McQuaid have the appearance of being folders.
I really like McQuaid. I think at some point though the team does have to choose between Boychuk and Mcquaid and I think McQuaid has the better hockey sense and is the keeper between the two.
I think McQuaid is the bargain of the team and love just how big a team player he is.
I honestly think one of my favorite playoff moments was when McQuaid came in to even things up when Marchand flipped one ofthe Sedins who was trying to make a late hit. McQuaid was ready to go and Erhoff decided he didn’t want any part of him.
I also think for a rookie defenseman he did a pretty nice job. I don’t really see him ever playing much higher than a #3 but he knows his role and plays it well-not much else you can ask.
Tom and Karl,
Top 4 on another team. he’s still a #5 here at best, and has made huge developmental strides, but he’s a bottom pair defender on a championship caliber team
Quaider made Stewie expendable which gave Chia the opportuinty to get Pev. Quaider could eclipse Boychuk which translates to Top 4.
I understand the Bruins are looking for places to take the Stanley Cup. How about Littleton NH! Lot’s of fans way up here!!!
Love Darth, hope they resign him if he plays as well this upcoming season as he did the last. The kid is a sound defense, isn’t flashy but if you watch, when he pinches, he almost never gets burned. He pinches when he knows he can make the play and almost never gives up 2-on-1′s.
Plus the kid can throw hands like a beast and I think the playoff mullett should now be a staple.
Top 4 job? I think you over-valued him a little bit….
Love Quaids… it will be interesting to see him and Boychuk this year. Gotta think there might only be room enough to bring 1 of the 2 back