JAY BOUWMEESTER - Defenseman - 35 - $3.25MM Cap Hit - UFA in 2020-2021
LAST UPDATED 8/20/19
Jay Bouwmeester is far from what he once was. Bouwmeester used to be a smart, fluid, dependable two-way defenseman who could anchor a top-4 pairing and eat ~26 minutes per game. Father time has caught up to Bouwmeester, though, and it really shows on the ice. Bouwmeester is an awkward skater now thanks to his diminished speed, and he can often get caught by quicker forwards. Bouwmeester doesn't have the same imposing defensive presence, and he's not nearly as much of a force along the boards or in front of the net as he once was. The puck isn't nearly as secure on his stick as it was a decade ago, and it really shows. When I was watching the Stanley Cup finals and Bouwmeester was on the ice, I'd genuinely fear for Blues fans as he felt overmatched by the speed and intensity of the NHL playoffs. He used to be able to handle it, but he just isn't at that place anymore in his career. Still, Bouwmeester can provide veteran leadership and sound mentorship to young defensemen, and that has value, and if he can be sheltered he could probably still handle bottom pairing minutes with decent load management. Bouwmeester still has the smarts and experience to be a good veteran #7, but at this point in his career his offensive and defensive tools have regressed so much that he should not be in an NHL lineup nightly.
Jay Bouwmeester is far from what he once was. Bouwmeester used to be a smart, fluid, dependable two-way defenseman who could anchor a top-4 pairing and eat ~26 minutes per game. Father time has caught up to Bouwmeester, though, and it really shows on the ice. Bouwmeester is an awkward skater now thanks to his diminished speed, and he can often get caught by quicker forwards. Bouwmeester doesn't have the same imposing defensive presence, and he's not nearly as much of a force along the boards or in front of the net as he once was. The puck isn't nearly as secure on his stick as it was a decade ago, and it really shows. When I was watching the Stanley Cup finals and Bouwmeester was on the ice, I'd genuinely fear for Blues fans as he felt overmatched by the speed and intensity of the NHL playoffs. He used to be able to handle it, but he just isn't at that place anymore in his career. Still, Bouwmeester can provide veteran leadership and sound mentorship to young defensemen, and that has value, and if he can be sheltered he could probably still handle bottom pairing minutes with decent load management. Bouwmeester still has the smarts and experience to be a good veteran #7, but at this point in his career his offensive and defensive tools have regressed so much that he should not be in an NHL lineup nightly.
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