Grade the Players: Jeremy Lauzon provided physicality and energy on the backend

Grade: C+

Debuting on the final day of 2019, Lauzon’s presence on Boston’s backend helped stabilize the defense amidst a rash of injuries and added a physical presence to the group.

His physical style doesn’t lend itself to a plethora of point production, but he is the quintessential “tough to play against” guy that fans lament the Bruins’ consistently need more of.

His limited impact on the offensive end is the by-product of his stay-at-home tendencies.

Micah Blake McCurdy

Playing on the left side, Lauzon did an admirable job of limiting shots in dangerous areas close to the net. He siphoned opponent’s attempts to the outside of the circles on his dominant side. Though he owned a 50.54 Corsi-For percentage in the regular season, his high danger Corsi For percentage sat much higher, at 55.38%.

Though known to throw his weight around with big hits, Lauzon also uses his physicality well in order to separate opponents from the puck and gain puck possession.

In the clip above from the Bruins’ March 10 contest against the Philadelphia Flyers, Lauzon wins a puck battle behind the net and transitions out of the zone, hitting David Krejci with a pass in the neutral zone.

If Lauzon develops his skating and becomes more of a threat with the puck, it could help round out his game.

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