krug

( Photo Credit: NHL.com )


By: Yanni Latzanakis  |  Follow Me On Twitter @yanlatz
Hear me out: Torey Krug is arguably the best offensive defenseman on the Bruins and as well as across the league. Krug is entering the last year of his contract before he is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July first, 2020. Here is why I think he will have his best season as a pro and will not only be in the top three votings for the Norris trophy, but he will win it.
Torey Krug was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Michigan State University in March of 2012. After playing most of the 2012-2013 season with the Providence Bruins, he was called up on an emergency basis and made his Stanley Cup Playoffs debut against the New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals series. In game one of the series, the Bruins were down 2-1 in the third period and Torey Krug scored his first goal in the playoffs in his first playoff game becoming the first Boston Bruins defenseman to do so since Glenn Wesley in 1988. From that series, Krug scored four goals in five games and instantly became a fan favorite.

Krug has since become a staple on the Bruins blue-line and often been labeled as the Bruins quarterback on the powerplay. Krug has scored 39 or more points in each of his six seasons in a Black ‘N Gold uniform. Krug hit a career-high in points during the 2017-2018 season at 59 and this past season, Krug reached his second-best offensive season with 53 points.
Krug is only going to improve as he matures as a veteran. His point totals will continue to climb as he quarterbacks the deadly Bruins power-play that I think will be lethal again this season. His ability to find passing lanes, his vision, hockey IQ and his speed allows him to set up scoring plays and contribute to the Bruins offense. In January, he set up Pastrnak with an incredible pass from his own defensive zone that Pastrnak was able to corral and deke past the Flames netminder for one of the best scoring plays of the season.

Probably the biggest reason why I think he will win the Norris trophy this season is that he is set to become an unrestricted free agent in July. There is no doubt that whether Krug is going to re-sign with the Bruins or another NHL club, he will get paid. Some believe that Krug will be looking for a contract of seven or eight years at around 45 to 50 million dollars. Krug’s predicted contract is compared to some other top defensemen that got new contracts like Ryan Ellis of the Nashville Predators who signed an eight-year $50 million contract as well as Keith Yandle of the Florida Panthers who is signed at seven years, $44.4 million.
Players that are set to get contracts often have big seasons as they await to sign. I think Torey Krug will have a monster year for the Bruins and will have his best offensive season. Torey Krug is also healthy at the beginning of the year for the first time in a few seasons which will allow him to have a fast start out of the gate.

He does have some competition for the Norris Trophy, however. Last year’s winner Mark Giordano won the award after a huge year for the Calgary Flames with 17 goals and 57 assists for a whopping 74 points. Previous winners Victor Hedman, Brent Burns, Drew Doughty, and Erik Karlsson will also most likely have good years but I think Krug will get the recognition that he deserves this season and will win the Norris Trophy as the leagues best defenseman.

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