With the season now over, it’s time to take a look back and examine each player’s individual performance. We’ll briefly break it down, and then offer a letter grade for the year. It’s report cards, Nashville Predators-style, from Blum to Wilson. Next up: Francis Bouillon.
Francis Bouillon
#51 / Defenseman / Nashville Predators
5-8
198
Oct 17, 1975
Contract: $1,350,000, UFA after 2011-12
The Skinny: Expected to be the fourth defenseman on the depth chart, Bouillon was largely paired with Kevin Klein until his mid-season injury, which kept him out of the lineup for the remainder of the year. “The Cube” is on an economical deal, but I do wonder if the ascension of Jonathon Blum and the rise of Ryan Ellis and Roman Josi will leave him on the outside looking in at times next season.
The Performance: Solid, but unspectacular. I had hoped for more out of Bouillon, but a combination of increased responsibilities with the loss of Dan Hamhuis and a severe lack of chemistry with Kevin Klein led to some unnecessary adventures in the defensive zone. On the other hand, Bouillon was awarded an alternate captain’s letter when Martin Erat and Steve Sullivan were injured, in addition to taking Ryan Suter’s spot alongside Shea Weber when Suter was injured.
The Grade: While I do feel that Bouillon had a sub-par year, it’d be unfair if we didn’t look at the surrounding circumstances – he played some tough penalty kill minutes and was placed in a role for which he is not really suited. Bouillon’s best with third pair duties, which he’ll hopefully be able to get back to in 2011-12. In the end, I’ll give Frankie a C, but I could just as easily go with B. What do you think?
How would you grade Francis Bouillon’s 2010-11 NHL season?
| A | 3 |
| B | 135 |
| C | 107 |
| D | 15 |
| F | 5 |