Oh where to begin? Today has brought many emotions to us Bruins fans, especially this one in particular. Today, as the 2012 NHL Entry Draft continued on, the Boston Bruins made some fairly significant moves. As Ariana reported last night, the Bruins chose Belleville’s Malcolm Subban as the twenty-fourth overall pick. Today, with their third-round pick, they selected defenseman Matthew Grzelcyk.
Matt is a Charlestown, Massachusetts native who has played the past two seasons with the US Development Program, putting up 2-20-22 totals in 56 games.
The next move is one that caused jaws to drop, at least mine did. The Boston Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli turned over forward Benoit Pouliot’s rights to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for the rights of defenseman Michel Ouellet and a fifth-round pick. Yes Bruins fans, I am sad to say that there will be no more Benoit Pouliot in the Black and Gold come October.
While the Bruins did get their moneys worth out of the forward, it simply wasn’t enough. It appears as though his long stretches of under performing sold him short, despite posting 16 goals, 16 assist for 32 points and ending the season a plus-18. Not to mention his highlight-reel goals against Montreal and Florida. They unfortunately weren’t enough. Pouliot has played for Tampa coach Guy Boucher in previous seasons and with any luck he will succeed. However, with strong forwards such as Stamkos and Lecalvier, it is a wonder if Pouliot will really be able to showcase his talents or if he will fade into the background.
With their fifth-round pick the Bruins chose play-making center Seth Griffith. He’s small, 5’9″, 190lbs, but managed to post 85 points in his junior league this past season with 49 penalty minutes in 69 games played in the OHL.
With the 145th pick, they selected right wing Cody Payne who played in the OHL, most recently with the Plymouth Whalers. He’s 6’2″, 201 lbs and was ranked 146th North American Skater by NHL Scouting.
The Bruins used their sixth-round pick to take blueliner Matthew Benning, the nephew of Bruins assistant general manager Jim Benning, who played nine seasons in the NHL as a defenseman. With their seventh-round pick and last they chose Dallas native, Colton Hargrove. He’s a left wing who tallied 140 penalty minutes last season in the USHL and had 38 totals. (16 G, 22A)
With the five players they were able to acquire this year in the draft, the Bruins have enough for a starting line drafting a goaltender, center, left and right wing and two defensemen.
While my heart breaks that Benoit Pouliot will not be returning to Boston, I have faith in Chiarelli and firmly believe that the players chosen today will be for the better of the Organization. Best of luck Pouliot and welcome to Boston Subban, Ouellet, Griffith, Hargrove,Grzelcyk, Benning and Payne.
A Cup A Bruin 