The 2015-16 season is almost here, officially beginning with a handful of preseason games and training camp kicking off within the next couple of weeks. Although some things have been well established, there is a plethora of undetermined answers that will be addressed this upcoming season.
That could not be more accurate when it comes to the Boston Bruins.
Sure, B’s general manager Don Sweeney gave head coach Claude Julien another chance to coach this team and add to his ever-growing legacy, but shouldn’t some of the players get that same chance?
Well, some of them will…and some of them need it.
One of those said players is Loui Eriksson, a guy who has had a rather auspicious career as a member of the Black and Gold. Originally drafted by the Dallas Stars in the second round of the 2003 NHL entry draft, the 30-year-old Swedish forward really flourished in the Lone Star State. In 2008-09, he led the Stars with 36 goals, placing him fifth in the West and 12th overall in goal-scoring. He was one of only three Stars to play in all 82 games of the season, and he was named to his first NHL All-Star game back in 2011.
On July 4, 2013, Eriksson, along with prospects Joe Morrow, Reilly Smith, and Matt Fraser, was traded by the Stars to the Bruins in exchange for Tyler Seguin, Rich Peverley, and Ryan Button. Upon his arrival, he was projected to be inserted on the second line next to Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand. After an injury-marred first year in Boston, he never thrived in the role. The two separate concussions that he suffered limited him to just 10 goals and 27 assists.
Last season, Eriksson started to find his stride playing with Carl Soderberg on the third line. The two clicked, both in open ice and in-tight, offensive-zone setups. He finished the year with 22 goals and 25 assists for 47 points. Now that Soderberg plays for the Colorado Avalanche, the future of Eriksson is certainly up in the air at best.
It may seem like Eriksson has underachieved as a player here in Boston–considering that he is accompanied by a $4.25 million cap hit—but he has actually been a productive player in terms of producing points and has turned into a decent two-way skater.
It absolutely goes without saying that Eriksson needs to produce at a high level this year since that he will become an unrestricted free agent at the conclusion of next season.
The reality is that he may not end up back with the Bruins this time next year. Heck, he may even be traded out of Boston before the regular season begins. Regardless, it is all in his hands. The Bruins owe it to themselves to get the most out of Eriksson, especially the player himself if he wants to cash in next summer. The question then becomes what color sweater would he be dawning?
