Next up in my player profile series is forward Anton Blidh. Blidh played in just one game up in Boston last season, in which he failed to record a point. He also appeared in 74 games with the Boston’s AHL affiliate, the Providence Bruins last season, in which he produced ten goals and 13 assists while also serving as an assistant captain for the team. He then played in four playoff games for them, in which he tallied one goal and one assist. Drafted in the sixth round (180th overall) of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft by the Bruins, Blidh has appeared in 21 career NHL games, over which he has tallied one goal and one assist. He has also played in 263 career AHL games, in which he has produced 41 goals and 38 assists. The 24-year-old wing has only played for the Bruins organization over his four season North American professional career.
At this point, it’s safe to say Blidh will never amount to much more than a fourth liner at the NHL level. He also may never stick full-time in the NHL. But, that’s okay. Not every prospect in your system can or will turn out to be a bonafide NHLer, and he’s perfectly capable of playing at the AHL-level. He plays a gritty game, can kill penalties, and loves to agitate, all of which are things that make him fit well in the Bruins organization. So, we may seem him stick around a bit longer even if he doesn’t get an NHL role. He gets to be in more of a leadership role now with the Providence Bruins, as he’s 24 and been there for a while. He’s also a capable plug in the event of injuries to the bottom-six at the NHL level. Who knows, he may end up there full-time someday, but in my opinion, it doesn’t seem too likely. But, it’s good to have guys in your system that you can call up and rely on to get the job done passably because injuries are inevitable over the course of the season.
As for what we can expect out of Blidh next season, he’ll likely be in Providence for most of the season and will only see NHL ice-time if there are a lot of injuries to the forward group. No offense to him, but I hope that doesn’t happen. In addition to what he’ll bring on the ice, he’ll be a leader on a young and inexperienced Providence team. He’s a hard-working (and gritty) player, which will set a good example for them to follow as they learn what it means to be a professional hockey player. You need guys like that in your system if you expect to be successful in the long run. Could he still crack the NHL roster eventually? Yes. Is it likely? No, but there is a chance if no one else can seize the opportunity.
Hockey Addict 