Boston Bruins: Top 3 players to keep an eye on in 2021

1. Boston Bruins’ fans should keep an eye on forward Jack Studnicka in 2021.

There’s no question that Jack Studnicka is ready to play in the NHL. However, there is question to whether or not there’s a spot for him on the NHL roster.

Like Frederic, Studnicka is a natural center. This makes it extremely difficult to find a spot for him with the immense amount of depth the B’s have at center. Because of this, Studnicka’s seven NHL games have been mostly played on the right wing.

Additionally, many fans thought Studnicka didn’t have much of a chance to make the NHL roster this season because of the log jam at center. They though the Bruins wouldn’t want to move Studnicka to right wing full-time.

However, the B’s seem completely fine with doing this so far through training camp as the 21-year-old has only been playing right wing. If this is the case for the regular season, Studnicka has a good chance of making the NHL roster as right wing isn’t nearly as deep as left wing and center.

Additionally, Studnicka seems to be the top option to replace David Pastrnak until he returns on February. Studnicka has been practicing with Bergeron and Marchand on the first line and was on the first line in yesterday’s scrimmage with Bergy and Bjork.

If Studnicka can show he can produce on an NHL first line, he may be able to beat out Ondrej Kase and Craig Smith on the depth chart for the rest of the season.