Boston Bruins: Zach Senyshyn deserves a chance in the lineup

With the Boston Bruins injured up front, head coach Bruce Cassidy has been shuffling up the lineup a bit. This includes inserting reserve forwards Karson Kuhlman and most recently Anton Blidh.

While Kuhlman is a hardworking player and is deserving of a chance in the lineup, he hasn’t impressed through his two games this season. He started off the first game on the second line but was ultimately benched for a costly turnover.

Through two games, Kuhlman is averaging just under nine minutes of ice time, has scored no points, and has a plus/minus (+/-) of -1. He’s a likable, high-motor guy but just hasn’t shown in game that he should be in the lineup.

Last night, Blidh made his season debut and was basically invisible except for a holding penalty he took in the second period. I think he shouldn’t be in the lineup, but with the injuries the B’s are dealing with we may see him more than we should.

Instead of Kuhlman and Blidh, I think right wing Zach Senyshyn should get a chance in the lineup. Senyshyn is currently in with Boston’s AHL affiliate, the Providence Bruins, and will be donning an “A” for the team this season.

Zach Senyshyn has the skill and drive to play in the Boston Bruins’ lineup today.

Senyshyn was the last of three consecutive Black and Gold first-round picks back in 2015. Although Senyshyn has been taking a bit to develop and stay in the NHL, he has been playing well in the AHL and has received praise from Providence’s head coach Jay Leach.

Over five seasons in the AHL, Senyshyn has suited up for 174 games scoring 33 goals and 33 assists for 66 points. Additionally, he has just 47 penalty minutes.

Furthermore, in his limited time in the NHL, Senyshyn has played very well. Over six games, Senyshyn has scored one goal and two assists fro three points. Last season he would’ve stayed in the lineup, however, he suffered an injury that ended his season.

While Senyshyn isn’t as physical as Kuhlman and Blidh, I think he’s a more viable option to play regularly in the lineup and also has the skill to play in the middle-six, unlike Kuhlman and Blidh who have shown to only be bottom-six forwards.

Overall, I think the addition of Senyshyn to the B’s lineup with Jake DeBrusk, Jack Studnicka, and Ondrej Kase out with injuries would help out with their secondary scoring. I think he would prove to be a worthy asset to either the second or third line.