(S. Babineau/Getty Images) Check out BruinsDaily's breakdown of No. 20, Daniel Paille

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 number 20, Bruins forward Daniel Pallie.

Name: Daniel Pallie
Position: Forward
Shoots: Left
Age: 28
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 200 lbs.
Contract: Unrestricted free agent for 2012-13 season

2011-12 NHL Season stats:
Regular season: 69 GP, 9-6-15, minus-5, 15 PIM, 86 SOG
Playoffs: 7 GP, 1-0-1, minus-1, 2 PIM, 8 SOG

Anthony’s Analysis:

Pallie is one of those perfect fourth line guys. He grinds it out every shift, chips in on offense and gets the job done defensively, not to mention Pallie is one of the better penalty killers the Bruins have to offer. If Pallie could actually find the back of the net once in a while when number 20 races on a breakaway, Pallie could be a 20-goal scorer. Pallie is an unrestricted free agent come July 1, and it wouldn’t surprise me to see the Bruins let Pallie walk, but if Pallie is back in black next year, and comes in for a reasonable price, you won’t find many complaints from Bruins fans.

Anthony’s Grade: B-

Tim’s Take:

Through his first three years of his tenure with the Boston Bruins, Daniel Paille has become a staple on the merlot line with Shawn Thornton while also skating with the likes of Gregory Campbell the last two seasons. On top of his duties with the fourth line, Paille also became a core member of the Bruins’ penalty kill, which has also been in the top ten in each of the last three years. For while a guy with his speed should be putting the puck in the net more often — 25 goals in 186 games with the Black and Gold — Paille has found ways to be effective with the Black and Gold. But after a disappointing series against the Caps and after posting a career low plus/minus rating of minus-5, the days of seeing No. 20 donning the spoked B could be a thing of the past as he enters the free agent market.

Grade: C+

Chris’ Turn:

Daniel Paille has been a key contributor on the Bruins “Merlot” line. He drops the gloves, blocks shots and most importantly kills penalties. The Bruins have been tops in the league on the penalty kill and one may credit the likes of Zdeno Chara or Patrice Bergeron, but Paille has been just as serviceable while on the ice. Although he has not cracked 30 goals with the team in 186 games, Paille still has intangibles while on the ice that make him a player in the “rotation”. His regular season was much more impressive than his postseason. Paille had nine goals while adding six assists in the regular season while Paille only had one point in seven games played in the post season. Paille will be entering the free agent pool and it is unclear if the Bruins will resign the scrappy forward.

Chris’ Grade: B-

Mark Says:

One of the key pieces to arguably the best fourth-line in the NHL, Daniel Paille was a great complimentary piece to the Bruins’ grinder line. He posted relatively consistent numbers again this 2011-12 NHL season, and at just 28-years of age — and good bang for the buck at just under $1.1M salary — it’s going to be interesting if GM Peter Chiarelli brings No. 20 back for another season in Boston. A player like Jordan Caron fit in nicely — providing a bit more offensive awareness while also killing penalties — as could other players in the Bruins’ pipeline. But I think Paille (and that whole fourth-line) is valuable enough to don a spoked B once again next season.

Final grade: B-