MacDermid

All the 100-plus-PIM seasons in junior hockey, and two plus seasons of more than 100 penalty minutes with the Bruins’ Providence (AHL) farm club finally paid off in 2011-12 for Lane MacDermid.

The 22-year-old energy forward finally got his shot to reach the NHL and made the most of his brief opportunity in five games. MacDermid used the skating skills he’s improved every season since the Bruins used a fourth-round pick on him in 2009, and his always-present toughness to make sure he held his own during his first stint at the sport’s highest level.

While he might never become an NHL regular, MacDermid at least showed the Bruins he’ll be able to provide depth and fill in when necessary for injured players, assuming the Bruins bring him back.

Stats

Regular season: 5GP, 0-0-0, minus-2

Playoffs: DNP

Contract status: RFA 2012

Regular season recap

Highlight: It took just 2:30 of MacDermid’s NHL career for him to have to stand up to bulky New York Rangers forward Mike Rupp. MacDermid lost the fight, but held his own and sent enough of a message that he didn’t have to fight again. However, his best game was against Washington March 10, as he drew two penalties and was credited with two hits in just 11:11 of a 4-3 loss.

Lowlight: MacDermid’s last NHL game of the season was one to forget, as he was minus-2 in just 6:19 of ice time during a 5-2 loss in Pittsburgh March 11.

Playoff recap: MacDermid was one of Boston’s “Black Aces” during the playoffs.

Grade: B-plus. Maybe the Bruins would’ve liked to have seen more results from MacDermid’s ability to step in on their fourth line and keep that line on the attack, but otherwise the third-year pro filled his role excellently.

Carnac predicts … MacDermid will have a tough time cracking Boston’s bottom six after he re-signs, but he’ll be in the mix when injuries and ineffectiveness take their toll. Down the road, he could be a full-time replacement for Shawn Thornton if MacDermid keeps improving his overall game.