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Boston Bruins: Top 5 players that will need impressive training camp to make 2021 opening night roster

LAVAL, QC - OCTOBER 16: Jack Studnicka #23 of the Providence Bruins skates the puck against the Laval Rocket at Place Bell on October 16, 2019 in Laval, Canada. The Laval Rocket defeated the Providence Bruins 5-4 in a shoot-out. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
LAVAL, QC - OCTOBER 16: Jack Studnicka #23 of the Providence Bruins skates the puck against the Laval Rocket at Place Bell on October 16, 2019 in Laval, Canada. The Laval Rocket defeated the Providence Bruins 5-4 in a shoot-out. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
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MONTREAL, QC – NOVEMBER 26: Jack Studnicka #68 of the Boston Bruins skates the puck against Cale Fleury #20 of the Montreal Canadiens during the first period at the Bell Centre on November 26, 2019 in Montreal, Canada. The Boston Bruins defeated the Montreal Canadiens 8-1. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC – NOVEMBER 26: Jack Studnicka #68 of the Boston Bruins skates the puck against Cale Fleury #20 of the Montreal Canadiens during the first period at the Bell Centre on November 26, 2019 in Montreal, Canada. The Boston Bruins defeated the Montreal Canadiens 8-1. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)

1. Jack Studnicka will need an impressive training camp to make the Boston Bruins’ opening night roster.

There’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that Boston’s 2017 second-round (53rd overall) pick, center Jack Studnicka, is ready to have a full-time role in the NHL. However, like Frederic, there just isn’t a spot for him at his natural position at center.

Right now, the only possible chance Studnicka has at playing in the NHL consistently is at right wing, and with David Pastrnak out for at least a month of the 2021 season, he has a far greater chance of making the roster than Frederic.

But, I don’t think Bruins’ management wants their top center prospect playing at wing full-time. Unless there’s an absolute need for Studnicka in the NHL — this would mean Ondrej Kase and/or Craig Smith have also gone down with injuries while Pasta is still out — I think Studnicka plays another season in the AHL and veterans fill out the bottom-six right wing roles.

However, I’m not Boston’s management and could be wrong. If Studnicka shows to be too good for the AHL in training camp we may see if start off at the Black and Gold’s third line right wing to start the season and then be moved to the taxi squad when Pasta returns.

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