In this edition of our Bruins roundtable, we asked our B';s writers which rookie exceeded their expectations the most in the 2017-18 campaign. Unsurprisingly, Jake DeBrusk';s name rang through the answers as the player who
began the season on the bubble but who cemented himself into a fan-favorite with his talent and, more importantly, his work ethic.

Check out what Brandon Share-Cohen, Drew Johnson and myself had to say about DeBrusk, and another B';s forward.BSC: Jake DeBrusk

While the results didn';t always reflect it, Jake DeBrusk';s effort throughout the season was unquestioned and commendable. Before he broke out in the postseason, his impact on the roster was felt from his tireless work ethic and hard-nosed style of play. He was far-and-away the most surprising rookie for me
as I wasn';t entirely sure he';d make the roster on opening day.Jake DeBrusk cemented himself as a regular in Boston';s lineup last season. (Amy Irvin / The
Hockey Writers)

With that said, he went from "possible roster bubble" to "untouchable trade piece" in just one season in my mind. He has the potential for 30-goal and 60-70-point seasons in the NHL and his ability to make others around him better
shouldn';t be understated.Drew Johnson: Jake DeBrusk, Danton Heinen 

DeBrusk was the young gun who exceeded my expectations last season. While he was streaky, he showed that he has the potential to be a consistent goal-scorer
in the NHL and will likely be a reliable top-six forward for some time. I expect him to become a permanent member of the second line during the 2018-19 campaign.Danton Heinen';s breakout campaign was the beginning of a bright future for the forward. (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Danton Heinen also impressed me. Going into the 2017-18 season, I expected him to push for a roster spot but was 50/50 on whether or not he would stick. Clearly, he did, and I believe he will continue to develop into a solid third-line winger. While I have yet to see consistency from Heien, especially in his two-way game, I expect that will come in time.Cam Hasbrouck: Jake DeBrusk, Danton Heinen

Just like the two fellas who answered before me, Jake DeBrusk was my first choice for Boston's most surprising rookie. As a first-round draft pick, it may
seem silly to be surprised by a strong rookie campaign, but DeBrusk's first season in the big show was exceptional. His 43 points were solid, but those who
consistently watched the B';s last season know that DeBrusk brought more to the
table than pretty stats.

The 21-year-old left a mark with his consistently exceptional effort, his willingness to work in the dirty areas, and his refusal to quit on any play. He
quickly transformed from a player with a bright future to becoming a staple in Boston';s nightly lineup. Just one season into his career, the youngster should
be considered nearly untouchable in trade conversations.Danton Heinen and David
Krejci (Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports)

Like Drew, I was also impressed with the level of play that we saw from Danton Heinen at points throughout the season. The former Denver standout wasn';t the most consistent producer for the Bruins last season, but when he found his game
he was a force. Heinen demonstrated natural offensive abilities and earned his spot as a regular in Boston';s competitive lineup. If he can work on those skills and find a way to produce on a regular basis, he could have a very bright future in Boston.

Lastly, I';d like to address a player who was not mentioned in this piece: Charlie McAvoy. While McAvoy had a very strong rookie season, he was left out of this conversation because he was the Bruins rookie to watch coming into the
season. So while he did have a big impact on Boston';s success this season, it wasn';t necessarily a surprise to any of our writers, so hold the riots.

After missing out on John Tavares, the Bruins aren';t quite where they want to be entering the 2018-19 season in the powerhouse Atlantic Division. In all likelihood, the Bruins still have some moves to make this offseason. But assuming the players mentioned above remain in black and gold, they';ll be worth keeping a close eye on right from the start of camp this fall.

The post Bruins Roundtable: 2017-18 Breakout Rookie appeared first on The Hockey Writers.

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