1. Jack Studnicka – Forward
Hard to believe that Jack Studnicka lasted until the second round of the 2017 draft, but everyone else’s loss is the Bruins gain.
He made his NHL debut this past season playing in two games with Boston and registering an assist. He also was part of the Bruins playoffs over the summer in the Toronto bubble and found himself in the lineup for five of the Bruins 13 games North of the Border. He failed to get on the stats sheet, but he took 81 shifts and took 10 shots on net.
Those were big steps and experiences for the Studnicka to make. A natural center, he spent his time in Toronto on the right-wing. With the Bruins having veteran experience up the middle with Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci and Charlie Coyle, playing the wing is the way for him to make an impact in the NHL right now.
The 6-foot-1, 171-pounder from Windsor, Ontario had a breakout 2019-20 season in Providence. He scored 23 goals and dished out 26 assists with a plus-9. He made the AHL all-rookie team and set a rookie record for seven shorthanded goals.
There is the chance that Studnicka makes the roster out of training camp, but it will have to be as a wing. If not, the 21-year old will begin the season in the AHL and get plenty of shifts at center. With Bergeron and Krejci not getting any younger, he is a future center in waiting.