(Photo by Steve Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images) Bruins Defensemen, Number 6, Greg Zanon

Throughout the offseason, Bruins Daily will be posting daily report cards on each individual of the 2011-12, Boston Bruins.

In order of jersey number, each player will be highlighted. In today’s edition, we have Bruins defensemen Greg Zanon.

Name: Greg Zanon
Position: Defensemen
Shoots: Left
Age: 31
Height: 5’11″
Weight: 211 lbs.
Contract: Unrestricted Free Agent in 2012-13

2011-12 NHL Season stats:
Regular season: (Bruins) 17 GP, 1-1-2, plus-4, 4 PIM, 14 SOG
Playoffs: 7 GP, 0-1-1, even, 0 PIM, 3 SOG

Mark’s Take:
He’s not flashy, nor is he any sort of offensive threat that will log power play minutes, but what Greg Zanon brings to the Boston Bruins is a relatively sound, stay-at-home defensive style, who can log bottom-pair minutes and not be a total liability on the ice (like some other blue-liners who donned a spoked-B jersey).  Despite logging some of the least amount of minutes in the post season, Zanon still registered six blocked-shots and 15 hits in under 14 minutes of ice time per game. If the Bruins can finagle a one-year deal for roughly the same money ($1.9M) then Zanon is one of those guys Chiarelli should most definitely re-sign to ensure depth at the back-end. I think he has enough games under his belt to really understand the Bruins’ system and continue to be that gritty, sandpaper-like asset alongside Adam McQuaid if given another shot in Boston for the upcoming 2012-13 NHL season.

Grade: B

Tim’s Turn:
On paper, Greg Zanon’s tenure with Boston might not be anything to write home about (two points, six blocked shots and 15 hits in a little over 13 minutes of ice time) . But as a fifth or sixth defenseman he certainly held his own despite being paired with Joe Corvo against the Caps. Peter Chiarelli and company have a decision to make here with Zanon, sign him or let him test the market this summer, but either way he could be in for a small raise after making a little over $1.9 million. With Douggie Hamilton likely coming next year, however, the soon to be 32-year old could have a new home and — assuming he plays the same role as top 4-6 d-man — would give any team some depth on D.

Grade: B-

Chris Says:

When the Bruins traded for Greg Zanon at the trade deadline earlier this year, fans did not know what to think, but the 32-year old was solid in his time with the Bruins. Although he only added two points, he had six blocked shots as well as 15 hits while on the ice. Zanon was not acquired to be a Zdeno Chara-like defenseman, but as a defenseman to log minutes and give his team the best chance to win. Zanon was tabbed as the fifth or sixth defenseman and was not spectacular, but he held his own. With Dougie Hamilton on the horizon for the Boston Bruins next season, it may look like Zanon is on his way out to help another contender in the National Hockey League.

Grade: B-

Anthony’s Analysis:

Like everyone else stated, Zanon wasn’t looked upon to do much for the Bruins other then log minutes and add depth to what was a shaky Bruins blue line, and that’s exactly what Zanon did. I thought Zanon was decent in the playoffs, but then again he was paired with Joe Corvo at times so in his defense that’s just not fair to be evaluated when playing next to Corvo. It looks like it’s time to learn how to Dougie in Boston, which most likely means the end of Zanon in Boston.

Grade: C+