Zach Senyshyn nears a return for the Boston Bruins, but his future is up in the air.
There was a lot of news this week on the injury front for the Boston Bruins. Coach Bruce Cassidy spoke with the media on Monday to go over some injury updates.
https://twitter.com/NHLBruins/status/1206660211521544192
Despite the fact that he resumed skating weeks ago, defenseman Kevan Miller had a setback with his knee. He’ll be out for a while longer.
There was good news, however, as young forwards Karson Kuhlman, Anton Blidh, and Zach Senyshyn are ready to hit the ice. Kuhlman and Blidh skated on Monday, but Senyshyn didn’t participate because of an illness.
Nonetheless, Senyshyn will likely skate this week, and this means he will be healthy enough for game action sooner rather than later. What’s exactly the plan for Senyshyn when he returns?
Expect Senyshyn to start in Providence, but how long will he stay?
Like most players who come back from injury, expect Senyshyn to start in Providence on a conditioning stint. He’ll get a few games to demonstrate that he’s totally healthy and ready to go.
That’s the immediate future, but anything after that isn’t totally clear. There are two options with Senyshyn.
The Bruins can keep Senyshyn in the AHL to get as much playing time as possible. He’ll see more ice time than he would in Boston, something that could further his development. The Bruins aren’t afraid to take things slow with young players like Senyshyn.
Option two is to recall Senyshyn back to Boston and insert him into the lineup. The Bruins still have an opening at right wing, so Senyshyn’s definitely a fit.
He can slot into a bottom-six role for Boston, likely on the third line with Charlie Coyle and Anders Bjork. This would cause Danton Heinen to move up to the second line. Senyshyn looked solid in this role in four games with Boston this year.
Bruins should give Senyshyn a look on the second line
That said, Senyshyn clearly has offensive upside, so would Cassidy consider him on the second line next to David Krejci?
This certainly wouldn’t be the easiest decision, as Senyshyn has yet to prove he’s ready for a top-six role on a competitive team like Boston. He still has only six games of NHL experience.
The Bruins, however, don’t have many options at second-line right wing. Coyle is up there right now, but he’s a better fit at center. Nobody else stepped up and earned the role, so what’s to lose with Senyshyn?
Senyshyn by no means is perfect, but he can bring some offense. There’s a reason the Bruins drafted him in the first round. Maybe Cassidy can unlock some of that offense if he puts Senyshyn with a talented and experienced center like Krejci.
Senyshyn does have two assists in four games this year; not great, but not bad either. He proved that he has somewhat of a nose for goal when he’s out there. Let him continue to showcase his talents alongside some quality linemates.
As long as he proves he’s healthy, the Bruins should give Senyshyn a look on the second line. There isn’t much risk; if Senyshyn doesn’t work out, the Bruins can move him back down. This shouldn’t affect his development or his future much at all.
There is a lot of upside here. If Senyshyn does work out, he gives Boston extra depth right now, and he proves that he’s a big part of the future.