It looks like Jack Studnicka is going to get a shot at an expanded role with the Bruins in these upcoming Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The 21-year-old rookie forward is the top prospect in the entire Bruins system at this point after posting 23 goals and 49 points in 60 games for the P-Bruins this past season, and now he’s set to play on the right wing with David Krejci and Jake DeBrusk in Thursday night’s exhibition game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. It’s an opportunity made possible by Ondrej Kase’s absence from the Bruins while “unfit to participate” over the last few weeks.
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Kase’s absence will extend into the round-robin games starting this weekend based on the NHL’s quarantine requirement when he finally meets the rest of the Bruins in the Toronto bubble, so that opens the door wide for Studnicka.
The 2017 second-round pick has a couple of NHL games on his résumé after a brief but promising appearance in Boston this past season, but this would obviously be a major step up in responsibility and expectations for Studnicka given how important secondary scoring will be to the Bruins in the playoffs.
It’s scoring, however, that has the natural center poised for an audition on the wing after getting looks there throughout the B’s practices thus far.
Certainly, he’s impressed a lot of the core Bruins group while practicing with them over the last few weeks.
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“I think he's a very good player, very talented," said Patrice Bergeron of Studnicka. "It's pretty amazing seeing him from training camp to now. He's taken a huge step forward. He seems to just be getting better, gotten stronger also. He seems to be getting faster, which is scary. Very good player, smart, seems to play the right way.”
Anders Bjork brings speed and Karson Kuhlman is a dependable option as he was on the second line during last season’s playoff run with the Bruins, and was even good enough to play in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final. But it’s Studnicka who could turn his lethal shot and offensive instincts into tangible, vital offense for Boston in the postseason.
“Jack Studnicka is in there with Krejci and DeBrusk. I’ve talked with [Krejci] about his right-side options. I’ve done a lot of that over the last few years. He likes the way Jack plays and the way he can make plays in traffic,” said Bruce Cassidy. “[Studnicka] seems more confident with the puck than maybe when he was with us in camp back in September and October. If he can do that and balance his shot versus pass mentality, he likes to hold onto the puck for that extra second and particularly in the Stanley Cup Playoffs you need to have a little more of that ‘shot mentality.’
“That’s something he’ll need to sort through. I think that’s something that all young guys have gone through. Bjork could also be an option with Krejci and Jake, but I liked Bjork with Charlie Coyle [on the third line] when they played together this winter. I think Jack has a little more upside offensively, so that’s why he’ll be given the first opportunity [against the Blue Jackets].”
Certainly, Studnicka is excited for a chance in these playoffs after watching as one of the Black Aces last spring when the B’s ran all the way to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final.
“Being a younger guy, I’m just trying to show up and provide some energy,” said Studnicka. “Worst case I’ll be pushing other guys who are ahead of us in the lineup to be better. But I’m trying to be confident and show that I can contribute to [the team] winning.
“I definitely feel the most comfortable I have throughout training camps, being a Black Ace, stuff like that. Definitely every day gets easier, but as far comfort [level] I’m 100 percent comfortable now in comparison to past times when I would have been nervous, or almost a little star-struck to share the ice with some of these guys. [Krejci] has been around for a long time and always seems to be in the right spot making high-end plays, so being on the other end of that is pretty special. I’m just trying to bring a good work ethic to that line.”
Perhaps Studnicka will show quickly that he’s not quite ready for prime-time playoff action and that he still needs to add a little strength to his 6-foot-2 frame. There would be no shame in that given he’s just 21 years old and still looked at as the top-6 heir apparent in Boston with both Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci well into their 30s at this point in their NHL careers.
But if Studnicka shines with the Black and Gold over the next few weeks, Bruce Cassidy is already on record as saying he’s not going to automatically hand the second line right wing job back to Kase when he’s ready.
Studnicka will get his shot starting Thursday to show how ready he is for a key role with the Bruins, and that’s really all he could ask for at this point with a Bruins team holding some pretty lofty aspirations. It’s up to the 21-year-old to take the chance and run with it if he can.