ST. PAUL — Adam McQuaid is under contract with the Bruins through 2019 at $2.75 million annually. He has 358 games of NHL experience. But the 30-year-old knows that work as an NHL defenseman is far from tenured employment.

“Every day, you’re earning your spot and trying to prove yourself,’’ McQuaid said. “You see it when you’re like, ‘Oh wow. That guy can’t get a job? How can that guy not get a job?’ With that, you also appreciate every day and try and make the most out of each and every opportunity.’’

It is not just the nature of the NHL that makes McQuaid thankful for his job. McQuaid is a defensive defenseman, a classification that comes under fire with each passing season. General managers give long-term contracts to sleek, mobile, 200-foot defensemen. They are quicker to show stay-at-homers the door.

Mark Stuart, once McQuaid’s partner and a like-minded defense-first blue liner, has been a regular healthy scratch for Winnipeg. Calgary terminated the contract of Nicklas Grossman last Saturday. The NHL veteran of 592 games was placed on waivers and declined to report to the AHL. Ex-Islander Matt Carkner, who spent the last two seasons in the AHL, has retired and transitioned to coaching.

“It seems to be the way the game’s going,’’ McQuaid said. “Either you make the adjustment or you don’t get to play. You’re kind of pushed out.’’

So it is within this context that McQuaid is happy to be playing and playing well. McQuaid is scoreless through 11 games. But the right-shot defenseman does not need to score to be productive.

McQuaid and second-pairing partner Torey Krug have not been on the ice for an opposing goal for the last three games. The Bruins have attempted more shots than allowed when McQuaid and Krug have been on the ice during five-on-five situations. According to puckalytics.com, opponents have generated 48.03 five-on-five shot attempts against McQuaid per 60 minutes of play, the lowest rate allowed by any Boston defenseman.

“I think Adam’s been playing really well,’’ said coach Claude Julien. “Not just defending, which he does well most of the time. He’s been moving the puck well. He’s also been involved in some offensive situations in the offensive zone.

“He’s playing with a lot of confidence right now. The way he’s been playing, it’s also given Torey some confidence of having a partner who he’s familiar with and who he trusts. It’s given him a lot more confidence at playing his game. I think they’ve been good for each other.’’

McQuaid’s dependable play was not a sure thing. He played 64 games last year and finished as a negative possession player.

This year, the Bruins instructed their defensemen to be more active with their defensive-zone positioning. They were to close on puck carriers quicker at the blue line and on the walls. The defensemen were to force turnovers and go on the attack at high pace. These things don’t come as naturally to McQuaid as they do to Krug.

McQuaid set out to adapt to all these things in training camp. Then he got hurt before the regular-season opener, disrupting the adjustments he was trying to make.

“It’s not ideal to miss any time, but especially at the beginning of the year, when everyone’s going through the same learning curve and working out the kinks, to miss that window a little bit,’’ McQuaid said. “Just tried to stick with it and approach every day to try and get better. Still using that approach.’’

It could have been easy for McQuaid to chase the game upon his return, which did not go well. In his season debut on Oct. 25 against Minnesota, McQuaid was on the ice for three of the Wild’s five goals. Before the first goal, McQuaid couldn’t deny Nino Niederreiter’s entry into the zone. Prior to the second, McQuaid was stripped by Jason Zucker.

But McQuaid didn’t need much time to stabilize his game. He’s been his usual physical self. He’s played a simple style. He’s been active with his stick.

“Just try and keep your feet moving,’’ McQuaid said. “Be options, be skating and closing without running out of position. Just being aware of things and being ready to move your feet when need be.’’

McQuaid and Krug have helped to give Julien a dependable second pairing. Earlier, Julien had only one: Zdeno Chara and Brandon Carlo.

McQuaid’s 11-game stretch has not made him comfortable. Kevan Miller, who plays a similar grinding game, is recovering from a broken hand. Miller has participated in the last two practices. Miller will miss his 17th straight game on Thursday against the Wild, but it’s possible he could be cleared to play later this month.

If McQuaid continues his dependable play, he need not worry about being displaced by Miller. But expansion is coming. If the Bruins select Option A (seven forwards, three defensemen, one goalie), McQuaid may not be among the three defensemen they protect. Chara and Krug are locks. Carlo is exempt. This puts McQuaid in the running for the final spot against Kevan Miller and Colin Miller.

The Bruins could lose a reliable defenseman. McQuaid could be the one.

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David Pastrnak (undisclosed injury) missed his second straight practice, putting his availability for Thursday’s game in question. “Pastrnak is not better today, so we weren’t going to let him go on the ice,’’ Julien said. “I’d say he’s day to day right now.’’ Riley Nash practiced in Pastrnak’s spot on the first line . . . Tuukka Rask was given the day off . . . Anton Khudobin was the primary practice goalie. Julien anticipates that Khudobin will be cleared to play soon . . . Matt Beleskey left practice early after taking a puck to the face.

Fluto Shinzawa can be reached at fshinzawa@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @GlobeFluto.