Summer Assignment: What is Michal Rozsival’s 2013 Grade?

Jun 15, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Patrick Sharp (10) celebrates with defenseman Michal Rozsival (32) after scoring a goal against the Boston Bruins during the first period in game two of the 2013 Stanley Cup Final at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

Michal Rozsival

Regular Season

Games-27

Goals-0

Assists-12

+/- +18

Playoffs

Games-23

Goals-0

Assists-4

+/- +9

Contract Status- Rozsival just signed a 2 years 4.2 million dollar contract.

Summary- Rozsival was not supposed to be the regular defenseman signed during free agency that paid off for the Blackhawks going into 2013.  It took 1/2 of the shortened season for the coaching staff to discover that Rozsival was a better fit for the Blackhawks defense than Sheldon Brookbank.  Rozsival is sneaky good with the puck offensively while on most nights a solid defenseman.  Rozsival when pressured could cough up the puck on occasion but most night’s Rozsival was a very good facing pressure and with the puck.

After only playing a little more than half of the regular season games, Rozsival didn’t miss a playoff game during the Blackhawks Stanley Cup run. Rozsival had a couple of games that he struggled in but overall he made it easy for Quenneville to use all three defenseman pairings throughout most of the playoffs. Rozsival threw the puck in front that Andrew Shaw tipped in for the Game #1 triple OT winner in the Finals.  He’s not flashy but he’s good with the puck which helped the Hawks especially against forechecking teams like the Boston Bruins.

Grade- Rozsival was better than expected and was a solid B for the 2013 shortened season.

What grade do you give Rozsival?