( Photo Credit: Boston Bruins / @NHLBruins / NHL.com )
By: Mark Allred | Follow Me On Twitter @BlackAndGold277
Boston Bruins defensive prospect Jeremy Lauzon’s road to the National Hockey League has certainly been fun to watch as a person that tracks developing players selected in the annual league draft at the beginning of every summer. A product of the controversial 2015 Entry Draft that was held at the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Florida, Lauzon was selected in the second round (52nd Overall) and with the small sample size at the NHL level thus far, the selection of the Quebec, Canada native is definitely paying dividends and proof that the scouting staff didn’t exactly fumble the whole weekend in Florida that was Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney’s first event as an NHL executive.
Jeremy Lauzon is as competitive and tough to play against as they come. He blows an edge here in the NZ and still fights for this puck from his knees against two Charlotte players. Lauzon pokes the puck away from another and even accelerates past him. Tenacious player. #NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/6bBrdry4tM
— Bruins Network (@BruinsNetwork) January 5, 2020
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Jeremy and his hockey development really got exposed as so many other young talented men increase their competitive edge and draft expectations in leagues like the nationwide Canadian Hockey League. Playing for the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies in the skilled Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Lauzon caught the eyes of many thirsty scouts that were in the house on a game by game basis watching his strong defensive game and crushing hits either along the boards or opposing players entering the defensive zone. With the QMJHL Huskies, he contributed offensively with career 35-95-130 numbers in 200 games played but has seemingly transitioned his game to a shutdown role in the higher professional hockey leagues.
Jeremy Lauzon’s second career NHL goal ties things up.
His other goal? Nov. 11, 2018 — against Vegas. pic.twitter.com/22NqqU5lxq
— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) January 22, 2020
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Since joining the American Leagues Providence Bruins Lauzon has appeared in 126 career games production 3-24-27 and has been a workhorse getting himself noticed for opportunities like he’s currently having with his recalls to Boston. In my opinion, he boxes out players very well and has the intelligence enough to have defensive responsibilities against bigger forwards trying to create havoc in front of his fellow goaltender. Jeremy is a really good special teams asset as he forces players to make immediate decisions as he minimizes opponents space but also quick enough to get back and help with defensive coverage.
Jeremy Lauzon can staypic.twitter.com/6M6dNA3lp9
— Mike Cratty (@Mike_Cratty) February 1, 2020
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In 19 career NHL games with Boston, he’s seen 16 appearances in the 2018-19 season contributing a goal to three games thus far in the 2019-20 campaign adding his second NHL tuck. It’s going to be interesting to see what the Bruins are going to do with the young up and comer and forever question of when veteran defenseman Kevan Miller is going to make a return this season or be ready for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. To me, if the Miller option of off the table, I’d like to see Lauzon get more time obviously but would hate to see him being used to go down to Providence just because he’s waiver exempt. The better players should get the time in my opinion, regardless of seniority.
Lauzon is looking very comfortable up here with the big club. The crystal ball is saying someone on the backend is getting moved. #NHLBruins
— Chris B (@Chris_Blackey) February 1, 2020
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In the above tweet, co-host of the Big Bad Bruins Podcast Chris Blackey brings up a valid point of Lauzon’s presence when it comes to the B’s organization moving forward. If he’s not being shopped as mentioned above, what if he’s in fact with the higher Boston club to show what he can do while the Bruins look to move a current blueliner with the 2020 NHL trade deadline coming later this month on the 24th. Could John Moore be shopped or a player like Matt Grzelyck be a candidate to be shipped out of town to make room for the young Lauzon who in my opinions certainly deserved more time at the NHL level and adds that element of physicality on the backend that was missed during the 2019 Stanley CVup Playoffs? All remain to be seen of course.
Going back to his time with the Bruins top minor-pro affiliate the Providence Bruins, I like the game time situations Head Coach Jay Leach has put the developing defenseman to grow his game and allow him to dictate his ultimate success. He’s certainly been a rock on the blueline in his time in the AHL particularly this season with fellow players like Jakub Zboril, Urho Vaakanaienen, Alex Petrovic, and recently signed to AHL extension Josiah Didier. Hats off the Providence coaching staff and the support of veterans on the team that has all molded this work in progress into what many folks are seenin for the first time when he makes it to the NHL level.
Jeremy Lauzon is exactly what the Bruins need on defense. A bigger body who can make a hit and take one also without being bothered to much. Plus he’s a good penalty killer and all in all a pretty good defenseman. It would really be a mistake not letting him stay in Boston and it would be crazy to deal him. The Bruins have developed one fine defenseman who brings grit and size to the team and they sorely need a guy like that.
Well said and thanks for checking out my article on him. #ClassACt