Is Jack Studnicka the answer for the Boston Bruins at right wing?

Can Jack Studnicka fill the hole that the Boston Bruins have at right wing?

The Boston Bruins have a glaring hole in their line up in the form of their second line right wing. After David Pastrnak, there just isn’t much production from this position in the rest of the lineup.

Pasta lead the team in points and goals this season with 95 and 48. After that, the next leading right wing for goals was Chris Wagner with six. Wagner was also the next up in points with 10.

*Note: Wagner also plays center.*

In an attempt to address this hole the Bruins signed former Nashville Predator Craig Smith to a three-year deal with an average annual value (AAV) of $3.1 million at the beginning of the month.

Smith is actually a very under-the-radar scorer. He scored 18 goals in 69 games this season and has scored at least 20 goals in five of his last seven seasons.

Additionally, in two of these seasons, he eclipsed the 50-point milestone. However, including these two seasons, he has only broken 40 points three times.

Furthermore, Smith doesn’t seem to play top-six minutes. He hasn’t broken an average of 16 minutes of ice time since 2013-14 — this includes being on the powerplay as he has scored four powerplay goals in both of the previous two seasons.

So with that, I say give 2017 second-round pick Jack Studnicka a chance at filling the hole that is the Bruins’ second line right wing.

Why should the Boston Bruins choose Jack Studnicka?

Studnicka has transitioned flawlessly from junior hockey to professional hockey. In 65 career regular-season AHL games, Studnicka has put up 54 points (24 goals, 30 assists). On top of this, the 21-year-old has a goal and an assist in four AHL playoff games.

During his short regular-season stint in the NHL this year, Studnicka played two games, putting up one assist, and averaged 12 minutes and eight seconds of ice time.

However, Studnicka was basically a non-factor in his limited opportunities during the playoffs. Over five games, Studnicka averaged just 11 minutes and 37 seconds of ice time and managed to not score a single point.

Although he has very limited NHL experience, I think playing on the wing of veteran center David Krejci could benefit the young forward tremendously.

Krejci is a smart and gifted playmaker that could maximize Studnicka’s scoring ability. Although Studnicka is also more of a playmaker, he has shown the ability to bury the puck with 23 goals in the AHL this past season, 23 goals in the OHL in 2017-18, and 41 goals in the OHL in 2018-19.

*Note: Goal totals include playoffs.*

Not only will Studnicka benefit, but Krejci and left wing Jake DeBrusk (if re-signed) will, as well. With the creativity and playmaking skills of Studnicka on their right wing, Krejci should be able to reach 20 goals again and DeBrusk should be able to hit 25.

If I’m being honest, I think, if given the chance, Studnicka could put up 15 goals and 20 assists for 35 points on the right wing of Krejci and DeBrusk. This is about where I would expect Smith to be point-wise, except Smith would flip flop the goals and assists, so 20 goals and 15 assists.

Although Studnicka is a natural center, I think playing on the wing of center Krejci could benefit his development significantly. He’ll be up with the big club, practicing with two of the best two-way centers over the last decade, Krejci and Patrice Bergeron — name a better way to learn and develop… I know it’s hard.

I know this is a long shot to happen, as Studnicka doesn’t have the greatest shot to make the Bruins’ roster out of camp and will most likely start and play most of the season in Providence. However, if Studnicka shines in camp and cracks the roster, it could potentially be the start of something special.