Tim Schaller impressed in his final season in Boston

Oh Timmy, how we are going to miss seeing all those cutouts of your face at the Garden. Tim Schaller became a free agent this summer and was sent off West to the Vancouver Canucks. Schaller had arguably his best NHL season, he didn’t miss a single game. He produced on the ice, leading the team in shorthanded goals and racking up points. Though he was a bit player in this Bruins roster, the New Hampshire native won over our hearts with his philanthropic work and all those damn Timmy faces in the crowd.

Schaller stayed on the fourth line manning the left wing. He had a career high of 22 points this season with the B’s. The season prior, he had 14 points to his name. A steady increase in production throughout his career can be a promising note for the Vancouver Canucks going into the 2018-2019 season. Though he is not a player the Bruins ever looked to specifically for point production, he brought energy to a young fourth line that generated a good amount of goals. He had a career-high of 12 goals this season, three of them short-handed. He proved he could score goals and lend a helping hand to special teams. Let us all remember that wonderful goal against the New York Rangers.

Playing all 82 games this season is something to be proud of looking at how battered this Bruins team was. Injuries throughout the season was certainly a frustrating feat for the team, but Schaller never sat out a game and gave support to his at times injury infested team. He didn’t walk away pain-free, though. Schaller underwent hand surgery this summer. He should be good to go come October for his debut with Vancouver.

Though he had a season of career highs, the fourth line really struggled in the second round of the playoffs. They couldn’t put up a fight against the offensively hot Tampa Bay Lightning. The fourth line lacked energy and experience throughout the playoffs, bringing a bit of a disappointing ending to Schaller’s time in a Bruins sweater. Could it have been that hand injury he took care of over the summer?

Aside from his high and lows this season, it wouldn’t be a Tim Schaller evaluation without giving the #TimmyHeads some spotlight. A touching tribute from his older brother whom Tim donated bone marrow to save his life, those large images of his mustached face filled me with joy. I wasn’t the only one, these faces became a staple for Boston home games, getting love from fans and players alike. The #TimmyHeads became a great piece of charity, raising funds for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and The Jimmy Fund. Through the sale of #TimmyHeads merchandise, Schaller raised over $10,000 this season. For his charity work, he was presented the John P. Bucyk award at the end of the season.

Aggregate Grade: B+

I’m sad to see Tim go this season. He suited up for every game, saw a good increase in point production, and provided high on-ice energy. This was a big season for Tim’s career and I would have loved to see the local kid continue to grow with the Bruins. Sure, he was no Brad Marchand or Patrice Bergeron, but he had an impressive season full of growth. You will be missed Tim, thanks for everything.