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theScore will be giving out fantasy report cards discussing the fantasy value of key players on each of the 30 teams. This edition focuses on the Boston Bruins.
ANA | ARI | BOS | BUF | CGY | CAR | CHI | COL | CLB | DAL | DET | EDM | FLA| LA | MIN | MTL | NAS | NJ | NYI | NYR | OTT | PHI | PIT | SJ | STL | TB | TOR | VAN | WAS | WPG
G Tuukka Rask
Rask is having a career year with his best save percentage and goals against average to date. He has matched last season's shutout total and is well on his way to matching the wins total as well. Boston's defense was very questionable coming into the season, but it has stood up, limiting Rask to one of the lowest high-difficulty shot counts among routine starters. Grade: A
LW Brad Marchand
Marchand's shooting percentage has plummeted below 10 percent this season, after being above 13 percent each of the last six years. He's still taking three shots on goal per game, and is on pace for more than 25 goals. It would be a disappointing finish after falling just three goals shy of 40 last season, but he has greatly upped his assist contribution and is providing much more on the power play. Grade: B+
RW David Pastrnak
Pastrnak usurped Marchand as Boston's primary scoring threat, though his 18.8 shooting percentage has greatly helped. He had nearly matched last season's shot total in just 27 games before undergoing elbow surgery. A return should be imminent and a 40-goal season remains a possibility even with the impending regression to his scoring rate. He'll have a long leash on his first-line role. Grade: A+
C David Krejci
Krejci had a quality start to the season while serving as the team's first-line center during Patrice Bergeron's injury absence. He had 14 points by the end of November, but he struggled in December. He's likely to fall well short of last season's 17 goals and 63 points. He has upped his shot count, but his shooting rate is below 10 percent for the first time in five years. He's nothing more than a third center. Grade: C
RW David Backes
A harshly criticized free-agent signing, Backes has been a steady, if unspectacular, offensive contributor. He is yet to go more than three games without a point this season, and he has just three games without a single shot on goal. He has settled into a second-line role when the Bruins are healthy, even remaining with Krejci with Pastrnak sidelined. He has more value in banger leagues. Grade: B-
C Patrice Bergeron
A 4.3 percent shooting rate is largely to blame, but Bergeron has been a complete bust this season, even while centering the Bruins' top two wingers. He will fall desperately short of what owners have come to expect from him, even with the second-highest average ice time of the last four seasons. Don't drop him yet, but don't hold out hope of a rebound. Grade: F
C/LW Ryan Spooner
With trade rumors circling, Spooner hasn't done much to help his trade value after a 49-point 2015-16 season. He is averaging less than two SOG per game and has his lowest average ice time of the past three seasons. He can be readily dropped in all formats. Grade: F
D Torey Krug
While a horrendously depressed shooting percentage has Krug with just one goal despite more than 100 shots, he ranks among the league leaders in both ice time and shots on goal for defenders. His assist total is also irrationally low for his offensive involvement and ability. He's an excellent buy-low target with the price continuing to drop. Grade: C+
D Zdeno Chara
Chara's no longer a factor on the offensive end, and his value lies only in banger leagues. He will still block shots and dish out more than his fair share of hits, but his value to the Bruins is much greater than it is to fantasy owners, with over 23 minutes of ice time per game. Grade: F
Player to watch: D Brandon Carlo
Carlo averages more than 22 minutes of ice time while skating on the Bruins' top 5v5 pairing with Chara. He sees next to no power-play time, making his TOI total more impressive. With Chara having proven ineffective and Carlo looking totally capable at even strength, the 20-year-old could be in line to see an opportunity with the man advantage in the second half. He's not a fantasy option yet, but he'll be worth an add if given the chance.
