NHL 19: Boston Bruins Player Ratings, Roster & Top Prospects


(Image Source: EA Sports)

Just as the Boston Bruins looked to be on the slide and in need of a rebuild, they suddenly sprouted an almighty crop of young stars who have helped to vault the Bruins and their aging core of superstars back to the competitive end of the Atlantic Division. With bucket-loads of strength and two-way play throughout the lines, the Bruins are a tough team to beat and could continue to improve over the next couple of seasons. Right now, Boston is best considered as a dark horse for the Stanley Cup, given the competition in their own division.

Patrice Bergeron, Center, 90 OVR

click to enlarge
+ 4

Age: 33Role: Two-Way CenterHeight: 185cmWeight: 88kgShoots: RightBest Stats: 95 Faceoffs, Stick Checking. 94 Defensive Awareness

Patrice Bergeron is the most influential Bruin on the ice, with his immense ability in the faceoff circle meaning that his team gets the puck far more often than not. Last season, despite missing 18 games, Bergeron posted 30 goals, 33 assists, and a lofty +21 rating, which extended to another 16 points in 11 playoff games. This season, also dampened by some time out, Bergeron had 26 points in 19 games as well as a 55.7 faceoff win percentage through 436 duels. 

Charlie McAvoy, Defenseman, 85 OVR

click to enlarge
+ 4

Age: 20Role: Two-Way DefensemanHeight: 183cmWeight: 94kgShoots: RightBest Stats: 89 Defensive Awareness. 88 Stick Checking, Puck Control, Offensive Awareness, Slap Shot Power

After breaking into the NHL last season, Charlie McAvoy is proving that he can be the cornerstone, elite-level defenseman that every serious Stanley Cup contender needs in the future. His rookie season saw the then-teenager score 32 points in 63 games with a +20 rating. He started this season incredibly well with six points in seven games but was forced to miss a huge chunk of games due to issues with a concussion. 

Tuukka Rask, Goaltender, 90 OVR

click to enlarge
+ 4

Age: 31Role: Hybrid GoaltenderHeight: 191cmWeight: 80kgShoots: LeftBest Stats: 92 Rebound Control, Recover. 91 Angles, Glove Low, Stick Low, Agility, Speed, Vision

It wasn’t long ago that people were questioning the ability of Finnish netminder Tuukka Rask. But now, with a revitalized team in front of him, the long-time Bruins goalie has stepped up to prove that he is one of the league’s premier goaltenders. His three shutouts, 2.36 goals against average, and .917 save percentage were decent stats, with him maintaining a .915 save percentage through 12 starts this season.

NHL 19 Boston Bruins Roster

From the Day 1, September 13 update, this is how the Boston Bruins’ first lines start. This is a strong, defensive, and mobile unit all around, with Bergeron being the premier playmaker on the ice. Both Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak are top-class goal scorers while Zdeno Chara can bring down the hammer from the blueline.

Brad Marchand (88) – Patrice Bergeron (90) – David Pastrnak (87)Zdeno Chara (85) – Charlie McAvoy (85)Tuukka Rask (90) 

Name
Overall Rating
Position/Role
Height
Age
Shoots
Best Stats
Brad Marchand
88
Two-Way Left Wing
175cm
30
Left
92 Offensive Awareness, Wrist Shot Accuracy. 91 Slap Shot Accuracy, Aggressiveness
David Pastrnak
87
Right Wing Playmaker
183cm
22
Right
93 Deking. 92 Hand-Eye, Puck Control
Zdeno Chara
85
Two-Way Defenseman
206cm
41
Left
94 Balance, Strength. 92 Body Checking, Shot Blocking
Torey Krug
84
Offensive Defenseman
175cm
27
Left
90 Slap Shot Power, Offensive Awareness, Puck Control, Passing, Deking
David Krejci
83
Playmaker Center
183cm
32
Right
89 Discipline. 88 Stick Checking. 87 Defensive Awareness, Offensive Awareness, Endurance, Slap Shot Power
Jake Debrusk
82
Left Wing Sniper
183cm
21
Left
88 Slap Shot Power. 87 Offensive Awareness, Wrist Shot Power
John Moore
82
Defensive Defenseman
188cm
27
Left
89 Speed. 88 Stick Checking, Slap Shot Power
Danton Heinen
81
Two-Way Center
185cm
23
Left
86 Slap Shot Power, Wrist Shot Power, Agility, Acceleration
Brandon Carlo
81
Defensive Defenseman
196cm
21
Right
88 Slap Shot Power, 87 Shot Blocking, Stick Checking, Balance, Wrist Shot Power, Aggressiveness, Body Checking, Strength
David Backes
81
Power Forward Center
191cm
34
Right
90 Body Checking, Strength, Balance
Kevan Miller
80
Defensive Defenseman
188cm
30
Right
88 Strength, Body Checking, Aggressiveness, Balance, Shot Blocking, Stick Checking
Matt Grzelcyk
79
Offensive Defenseman
175cm
24
Left
90 Discipline. 86 Slap Shot Power, Wrist Shot Power, Speed, Agility, Acceleration
Joakim Nordstrom
78
Two-Way Left Wing
185cm
26
Left
87 Strength. 86 Slap Shot Power. 85 Wrist Shot Power, Durability, Speed, Agility, Acceleration
Anders Bjork
78
Two-Way Left Wing
183cm
22
Left
85 Durability, Slap Shot Power, Wrist Shot Power, Discipline, Acceleration, Speed
Sean Kuraly
77
Two-Way Center
188cm
25
Left
85 Balance, Durability, Body Checking, Aggressiveness, Strength, Slap Shot Power
Lee Stempniak
76
Two-Way Right Wing
180cm
35
Right
86 Slap Shot Power, Discipline. 85 Wrist Shot Power, Strength, Agility
Noel Acciari
76
Two-Way Center
178cm
26
Right
87 Discipline, Balance, Strength
Chris Wagner
76
Two-Way Center
183cm
27
Right
86 Slap Shot Power. 85 Wrist Shot Power, Body Checking, Strength, Balance
Daniel Winnik
75
Two-Way Left Wing
188cm
33
Left
88 Discipline. 86 Shot Blocking, Strength
Jaroslav Halak
80
Hybrid Goaltender
180cm
33
Left
87 Aggressiveness, Agility, Speed, Vision

Ryan Donato, Center, 78 OVR

click to enlarge
+ 4

Age: 22Role: Two-Way CenterHeight: 183cmWeight: 82kgShoots: LeftPotential: Top 6 med

The Boston Bruins are very strong up the middle, but David Backes, David Krejci, and Patrice Bergeron are all closing in on their mid-30s. Ryan Donato’s 81 defensive awareness, 87 stick checking, 77 faceoffs, 80 poise, and 81 strength give him a strong base to push for a top-six role and fill the void created by Backes or Krejci showing signs of age over the next couple of seasons. 

Boston has built a strong pool of prospects that fit the two-way style of play preferred by the team while also taking a chance on some more flair-filled players who use speed and finesse – fitting in well with the way that the modern game is evolving. Urho Vaakanainen and Jakub Zboril could be a future top-four defensive pairing while Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson and Zach Sanyshyn are nearly NHL ready.

NHL 19 Boston Bruins Top Prospects

Name
Overall Rating
Position/Role
Height
Age
Shoots
Potential
Jakub Lauko
56
Two-Way Left Wing
185cm
18
Left
Top 9 low
Daniel Bukac
58
Defensive Defenseman
196cm
19
Right
AHL Top 2 med
Cedric Pare
60
Power Forward Center
188cm
19 
Left
Bottom 6 med
Urho Vaakanainen
61
Two-Way Defenseman
185cm
19
Left
Top 4 med
Jack Studnicka
61
Playmaker Center
183cm
19
Right
Top 9 med
Joona Koppanen
62
Left Wing Playmaker
196cm
20
Left
Bottom 6 med
Oskar Steen
63
Center Grinder
173cm
20
Right
Bottom 6 med
Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson
75
Two-Way Center
185cm
21
Right
Top 9 med
Zach Senyshyn
72
Right Wing Sniper
188cm
21
Right
Top 6 med
Jakub Zboril
71
Two-Way Defenseman
188cm
21
Left
Top 4 med
Jeremy Lauzon
70
Two-Way Defenseman
188cm
21
Left
Top 6 med
Jesse Gabrielle
64
Left Wing Grinder
183cm
21
Left
Bottom 6 med
Dan Vladar
67
Hybrid Goaltender
196cm
21
Left
Backup high
Kyle Keyser
56
Hybrid Goaltender
188cm
19
Left
AHL Starter med

For more articles like this, take a look at our NHL page.