A few years ago, I kept hearing all sorts of great things about this defenseman from Michigan State - his leadership skills, commitment to the team, skating ability, vision on the ice, shot from the point - and when his teammates elected him captain of the Spartans as a sophomore, I knew I needed to make a trip out to East Lansing to find out more. What I found was a guy who played bigger than he was, lead quietly by example and never gave up.
When he left State after his junior season, I was concerned that it might have been too early. He was fast enough and such a great skater, a beast on the power play, defensively responsible, yet unafraid to take risks jumping into the play offensively and what a shot, but as much as I wanted to see a guy like him succeed, I just didn't think he was ready for the NHL. I thought he needed to get stronger to be able to defend against the best the NHL has to offer and felt that he needed just a touch more confidence in his ability to play with the big boys. When I'd ask him about it, he'd say all the right things but it was almost like he wanted to believe what he was saying more than he actually believed it.
He signed a three year deal with the Bruins almost immediately after the Spartans' season was done and even played in a couple games, but his primary function was to be a sponge and absorb as much as he could just being around the team and watching how they practiced and prepared. I also feel like the lockout was a blessing in disguise for him. It allowed him to get his feet wet in the professional ranks without the pressure of being a highly sought after college free agent with expectations of making the NHL right out of training camp.
He solidified his reputation on the ice with the Providence Bruins, quickly earned prime time minutes and made the most of them as he was one of their most offensive players. He was called up for one game in March, but spent the rest of the season quietly, yet effectively, going about his business and working on his game in Providence. When the playoffs rolled around and the Bruins found themselves in need of another reliable defenseman - as most teams do in the postseason - they called on Krug to do the job.
There were expectations and of course some pressure, but there was also a quiet confidence. Just like he did a year earlier when he signed with the Bruins, he was saying all the right things, but this time…I believed him. He knew he was more than capable of helping this team and he went out there and proved it night after night, shift after shift as the Bruins went all the way to the Stanley Cup Final.
It was no surprise that he made the Bruins out of training camp this year and given his performance in the playoffs last year, it was no surprise that he'd earn a spot on the power play with lots of minutes 5-on-5, but what he's been able to accomplish in those minutes is rather remarkable - 7 goals, 8 assists, +6 in 24 games averaging 17 minutes per game. He's been hot right out of the gate, picking up right where he left off in the post-season.
When Krug was fielding offers from NHL teams, the Bruins said they'd give him a chance to play, but more importantly, a chance to play his game and succeed in that role. They came through on their end of the deal and so has Krug with his stellar play. He has not only earned the trust of his coaches and teammates and chatter around the league as one of the best rookies with a legitimate shot at the Calder…he's earned himself a nice, big, fat raise when his contract expires this year and opened the eyes of the powers that be at USA Hockey as they piece the US Olympic team together.
Not bad for an undrafted, 5'9, 175-pound 22-year-old from Livonia, Michigan.
Julie
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