Predicting the next Boston Bruins recall from Providence
The Boston Bruins have had their share of injuries this year, keeping the Providence Bruins on their toes. Which baby Bruin will make an appearance for Boston next?
The Boston Bruins announced Tuesday morning that they have recalled defenseman Matt Grzelcyk from Providence. Grzelcyk will most likely be replacing the injured Torey Krug, as the Bruins announced he is out for Wednesday’s game against New Jersey.
Bruce Cassidy says Brad Marchand and Torey Krug are out tomorrow.
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) November 21, 2017
A decison on Ryan Spooner will be made shortly: "He's a lot closer."
As stated above, Boston have had their injury problems this year. Nine different Bruins have been placed on injured reserve this year, including Brad Marchand, David Backes, and David Krejci, to name a few.
The Providence Bruins have had their hands full this season filling in for the injured Bruins. Boston has called up eight different players from Providence. Some P-Bruins have played great in their call-up like Danton Heinen, who has 10 points in 15 games played. Others not so much, like Rob O’Gara who has an unfortunate -4 rating in 6 games played with zero points. With the majority of the season to go, who will be the next Providence Bruin to get his chance with Boston? Let’s look at some of the most deserving candidates.
Austin Czarnik
The Boston Bruins have given Austin Czarnik a chance this year already, but he continues to produce in Providence. Czarnik last played for Boston on November 8th against the New York Rangers. Czarnik didn’t show a ton of promise in his first call up with the big club, only recording an assist in 6 games, but he could be ready for another opportunity.
Why he deserves it
Czarnik is currently Providence’s leading scorer, accumulating 11 points in 9 games played. He is also a big factor on the P-Bruins’ power play with three goals on the man advantage. Czarnik failed to impress Boston head coach Bruce Cassidy earlier in the season, but he has experience in the NHL. Last season Czarnik played 49 games with Boston and had 13 points. The 25 year old center has proven in Providence and a little bit in Boston that he can create scoring chances.
Who he would replace
Obviously if another Boston Bruins’ center were to get injured (really hope that’s not the case), then Czarnik would seem poised to be the replacement. However, can Czarnik beat out one of the healthy Boston forwards for a spot in the NHL? It doesn’t look too likely if Czarnik wants to remain a center. Bergeron and Krejci occupy the top two lines, while Sean Kuraly and Riley Nash man the center duties on the bottom two.
Nash and Kuraly have somewhat produced for Boston, both scoring 5 points in 19 games. If Czarnik were to switch to a wing position for Boston, he could be a good replacement for Frank Vatrano on the third line. Vatrano has been in and out of the Bruins’ lineup, as he’s been struggling with putting the puck in the net. Vatrano has two goals in 15 games played and no assists. If Cassidy is looking for a better scoring option on that third line wing, Austin Czarnik could be his guy.
Zach Senyshyn
Zach Senyshyn was drafted 15th overall by Boston in the 2015 NHL draft. He was the third and final first round pick taken by the Bruins after they has three straight picks because of trading Milan Lucic and Dougie Hamilton. This is Senyshyn’s first year in Providence and he is only 20 years old. However, Senyshyn could have a chance to make his NHL debut this year.
Why he deserves it
Senyshyn is off to a good start as an AHL rookie this year. He’s recorded 8 points in 14 games played, with 6 assists. Senyshyn proved he could score in the OHL when he recorded 65 points in back-to-back seasons. He is definitely an exciting prospect for the future, but is there a place on Boston’s roster for Senyshyn this year?
Who he would replace
Jordan Szwarz could be on the hot seat if he continues his scoring woes. Szwarz hasn’t scored a goal yet for Boston in 9 games. He has recorded three assists, but has gone pointless in the last four games for Boston. Szwarz has most recently played right wing on the fourth line for the Bruins, so the right-winger Senyshyn seems like a natural replacement. Again, Senyshyn is only 20 years old and this is his first year in the Bruins system, but maybe he could see some time with Boston if he continues to produce in Providence.
Tommy Cross
The Boston Bruins recalled defenseman Matt Grzelcyk today, but the next defenseman they call up should be Tommy Cross. Cross played college hockey at Boston College and was taken by the Bruins in the second round of the 2007 NHL draft. Cross, who is currently Providence’s captain, could take his leadership abilities to Boston again this season.
Why he deserves it
Cross is Providence’s leading defenseman scorer with 6 points. He, like Czarnik, has also already made his NHL debut. Cross played three games for Boston during the 2015-2016 season, recording one assist in that time. He also played one game for Boston in the playoffs last season, where he had an assist and owned a +1 rating.
Who he would replace
The Bruins have been average defensively this season, ranking 14th in the league with 2.95 goals against per game. However, only three of the defenseman on Boston’s active roster own a positive +/-. The Bruins recalled Grzelcyk today to help replace the injured Krug, but could Cross come up to replace a struggling Paul Postma or Rob O’Gara?
Next: Boston Bruins Mount Rushmore
Postma has a -3 rating in 10 games with one assist, while O’Gara hasn’t scored and has a rating of -4. Cross has proven in Providence this season that he can both score and help keep the puck out his net, both things Postma and O’Gara are failing to do in Boston.