Will Karson Kuhlman make the Bruins roster out of training camp?
By Scott Roche
Will Karson Kulham make the Boston Bruins Opening Night roster out of training camp?
Just when Karson Kuhlman thought his senior season at the University of Minnesota-Duluth couldn’t get any better, he was wrong.
Just days after being named NCAA Championship Tournament MVP in leading the Bulldogs to the National Championship in a win over the University of Notre Dame, the Boston Bruins signed him to an undrafted free agent contract days later.
Kuhlman had an impressive 2018-19 season with the Providence Bruins with 12 goals and 18 assists in 58 games, while making his NHL debut that season with three goals and two assists in Boston in 11 games.
Last season Kuhlamn found himself in the lineup for 25 games during the regular season with a goal and five assists. Kuhlman was a bottom-six forward that averaged 12:32 of ice-time a night. At 5-foot-11 and 185 pounds, he was not afraid to throw his body around and be physical.
Used as a penalty killer at times, he had 36 hits and eight blocked shots for the Bruins.
Where does Kuhlman fit in for 2020-21?
Kuhlman signed a two-year, $1.5 million deal in October to remain in the Boston organization with a $725,000 cap hit. While details about a 2020-21 NHL season have yet to be announced, if the season starts in early to mid-January as the league is hoping to do, there is a strong possibility that the Bruins will be missing first-line right wing David Pastrnak who is recovering from a September surgery.
Boston signed free-agent Craig Smith from the Nashville Predators in October to a three-year deal to add scoring depth. Ondrej Kase also returns for his first full year with the Bruins. If Pastrnak is able to begin the season, then there’s only one spot open on the right side, but if not, then Kuhlman has a good shot to grab one of the two bottom-six slots.
Kuhlman has had trouble sticking in Boston on a full-time basis, but at 25 years old, one has to wonder if these next two years will be his final shot to prove to the Bruins that he belongs. He will need to improve his offensive game if he hopes to stick around and have a better net-front presence.
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The bottom-six forwards will be counted on more this season, especially early on. In years past, secondary scoring has been an issue for the Black and Gold, but if Kuhlman can improve his offensive game and produce, then it’s likely he has a chance to stay. The thinking here is he makes the Bruins Opening Night roster as the right wing on the fourth-line.