The Boston Bruins need not look to the trade market this deadline, Jack Studnicka is waiting in the wings, itching for a promotion.
Right now, the time is right to give him a proper chance in the Boston Bruins line-up. Not only are the team sitting atop the NHL, but Jack Studnicka is in a rich vein of form and would likely thrive as a result.
Last week named the CCM/AHL Player of the Week, after grabbing three goals and two assists in two games, Jack Studnicka has followed it up this weekend with another polished performance, scoring a league-leading sixth shorthanded goal this season in the Providence Bruins’ loss to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.
In itself, that’s a reason to bring him into the Boston Bruins line-up; he has shown himself to be adept on the penalty kill in terms of preventing goals, but also in terms of putting himself in the right places to capitalise when the opponent over-commits it’s power play group.
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Although Karson Kuhlman is doing a great job, Jack Studnicka could still be the second line right-wing answer for now. Rather than the Boston Bruins giving up assets trading for someone new, he could be given a proper chance to settle in the NHL and see how he goes.
Question is; if you did that, where do you shuffle Karson Kuhlman down to?
He might fit with Charlie Coyle and any choice of Sean Kuraly, Danton Heinen or another press-box guy. Equally, that could be a good spot to properly try-out Studnicka. You’d have to imagine it’s someone like Par Lindholm that the Boston Bruins could afford to waive and risk losing.
One of the more compelling reasons to hedge our bets now, aside from leading the league, is the fact that the Boston Bruins are in the midst of a winning streak.
Nothing affords taking the odd risk in terms of testing out new players more than being the league leader. The winning streak no doubt makes it easier on Studnicka to step into the locker-room. You’d imagine it’s a much nicer vibe than a team on a losing streak!
At just 20 years old, you can make a strong argument not to rush Studnicka’s development and force him into the big league before he’s ready, but given his talent, you imagine he’ll swim rather than sink.
In his first professional season, he has 18 goals and 18 assists in the American Hockey League and there’s absolutely no reason he can’t replicate that production on a bigger stage.
Bring him up, give him a proper chance and we’ll find out! It’s certainly a cheaper option than some of the others out there.