Bolland brings a dimension we were really missing last season.
The way Toronto has been built is that we had no answer in are forward group in being able to shutdown power forward types like Eric Staal, Rick Nash, Krejci-Lucic-Horton line.
Bolland is more of a super pest. His playing style never really worked against the Ducks, for instance. He could get into Thornton's head, but if you want him hitting extensively, it'd be against someone like Mike Richards. However, I couldn't see him containing Eric Staal, Rich Nash, etc, and instead we'll be relying on Phaneuf a lot.
Bolland gives us a dimension that we sorely lacked last year and could have been the difference against Boston in being able to make life a lot more difficult for Krejci instead of watching Grabo skate around a 100 miles an hour looking like he's doing lots but taking himself out of defensive position more often than not.
I don't remember Bolland having a spectacular positional game. Maybe "good", but could be considered an overstatement. My point is, he's not going to our own Bergeron (defensive-side), because that's not what he was in Chicago. Instead he is the agitator who compliments a more skilled shut down type.
I would suggest venturing to the Winnipeg boards and ask about Ladd's role (with Little) in key shut down roles. Unlike, Bolland, Ladd is
still being used in that role.
If we're to advance in the playoffs this upcoming year it's almost certain we'll be playing Pittsburgh or Boston at some point so we needed someone to shut down whichever line is hotter out of Krejci/Bergeron or Crosby/Malkin who all play big.
I think we need to groom Kadri into our own Keon/ Glmour. His playing style, and versatility - not to mention in defensive game at lower levels - makes him suitable. For a long time, two-way skilled centres is what led teams to cups.