Boston Bruins: What can they do to replace David Krejci?
David Krejci left Monday’s game between the Boston Bruins and Anaheim Ducks with a lower-body injury.
Boston Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy didn’t offer much of an update after the game, so there’s no timetable for a return. David Krejci did not have the best start this season; after he missed the opener against the Stars, Krejci only managed one assist in a little over four games of action. His linemates struggled to produce much offensively as well.
Nonetheless, Krejci’s an important piece for the Bruins. The Bruins need his line to provide secondary scoring behind the top line. Without that, the Bruins are simply a one-line team.
Boston certainly needs Krejci back in the lineup. Until that happens, Cassidy will have to get creative to make up for his loss.
Put Par Lindholm in Krejci’s spot
The easiest thing to do, especially if Krejci’s injury isn’t serious, is to put Par Lindholm in his spot. This is what Cassidy did in the game in Dallas.
Lindholm is a versatile player who can play center. He’s strong defensively, and he’s decent enough at faceoffs. He doesn’t offer a ton of upside, but Lindolm is reliable. Cassidy can trust that he won’t make too many mistakes out there.
With Lindholm at center instead of Krejci, there will be much more pressure on Jake DeBrusk to drive offense. DeBrusk has had a slow start to this season. He has zero goals through his first six games.
Karson Kuhlman will also find life more difficult without Krejci. Kuhlman, like DeBrusk, has yet to score. He’s a player who really needs a talented center to get him the puck in dangerous spots on the ice.
Nonetheless, replacing Krejci with Lindholm is a quick-fix solution that Cassidy will likely do for Thursday’s game against the Lightning. He won’t have to break up any of the other lines, so this is a way to limit the trickledown effect of Krejci’s absence.
Don’t expect a Lindholm, DeBrusk, and Kuhlman line to produce all that much. But, let’s face it: this line wasn’t offering much with Krejci anyway.
Create a new second line: Coyle, Heinen, DeBrusk
The Lindholm idea really only works if Krejci’s out for a short period of time. If his injury turns out to be more severe, Cassidy needs to find a better way to find secondary scoring.
One thing he could do is create an entirely new second line. To do this, Cassidy can put DeBrusk on a wing with Charlie Coyle and Danton Heinen.
Coyle and Heinen quietly have had strong starts to the season. They don’t have a lot of points, but they consistent drive possession and create chances on the ice.
Coyle, for example, can dominate down the middle using his size and strength. He’s simply too big and too skilled for opposing third line matchups.
Heinen, too, take advantage of favorable matchups. He’s effective along the boards, and he also is an above-average skater.
What holds Coyle and Heinen back, however, is their other linemate. They’ve played mostly with Brett Ritchie or David Backes, both of whom struggle to keep up with the usual pace.
DeBrusk does have the capability to keep up with Coyle and Heinen. Not only that; he can be an asset for them both.
DeBrusk’s had a tough start to this season, but he’s still a great talent. He scored 27 goals last year in only his second NHL season.
To make this new second line work, Heinen needs to slide over to the right wing. DeBrusk only looks comfortable on the left. Fortunately, Heinen does have experience as a right wing; he played there with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand last season.
Call up Jack Studnicka to play center
Let’s say Cassidy wants to even out the lineup to foster a balance attack. In this case, he wouldn’t put all his best players on only two lines.
Would Boston call up Jack Studnicka to play in the top 9?
Studnicka, a 2017 second round pick, is one of Boston’s best prospects. He started this season in Providence to get playing time and continue his development.
Studnicka, however, looked strong in the preseason, so he might be ready to contribute in the NHL right now.
The Bruins obviously don’t want to rush Studnicka and call him up if he’s not ready. The last thing you want to do is mess with a young player’s development. But, if the B’s brass feel he’s ready, they could certainly give him a shot in Krejci’s absence.
There are some important considerations with someone like Studnicka. First, the Bruins want to make sure he gets enough playing time if he’s in Boston. He won’t learn and grow while he plays only nine minutes a night.
Second, Studnicka needs to play with other talented, offensive-minded players. It won’t do much good playing him with grinders.
To make the most out of Studnicka’s time, Cassidy can put him in Krejci’s spot. He’ll have a proven goal scorer in DeBrusk on his left, as well as a capable right winger in Kuhlman.
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No matter what, the Bruins will struggle without David Krejci in the lineup. But, his absence may give a young player like Studnicka the chance he needs to break out and show that he’s ready for the show.