Boston Bruins: Ondrej Kase should not be guaranteed lineup spot when healthy

Right now, right wing Ondrej Kase is still on injured reserve with an upper-body injury. However, when healthy he shouldn’t be guaranteed a spot in the Boston Bruins‘ lineup.

The B’s acquired Kase at last year’s trade deadline from the Anaheim Ducks for forward David Backes, defenseman Axel Andersson, and a 2020 first-round pick that ended up being Jacob Perreault at 27th overall.

Since being brought in, Kase hasn’t lived up to expectations. Over four seasons and 198 games with the Ducks, the now 25-year-old scored 43 goals and 53 assists for 96 points, a 0.48 points per game pace.

However, over eight regular-season and 11 postseason games (19 games total) with the Black and Gold, Kase has scored just five assists (four in the playoffs).  In the regular season this is just 0.13 points per game, 0.36 in the postseason, and 0.26 points per game overall.

Ondrej Kase doesn’t deserve a guaranteed spot in the Boston Bruins’ lineup.

While Kase has very good underlying and advanced numbers like Corsi and Fenwick, he just hasn’t be able to produce for the Black and Gold. With Kase playing as the second line right wing, this just isn’t good enough. If he’s in the lineup he’s more suited for a third line role.

However, the problem with putting Kase on the third line is that head coach Bruce Cassidy is forced to split up the duo of Charlie Coyle and Craig Smith. These two have proven to be very effective together and shouldn’t be split up unless it’s definitely necessary because of injuries (like right now).

In my opinion, guys like rookie Jack Studnicka should be playing on the second line over Kase. In the same number of regular-season games, Studnicka has been able to score a goal and an assist. Although his possession metrics aren’t at the same level as Kase’s, he’s been getting better and played arguably his best game on the second line.

With Nick Ritchie surprisingly playing very well this season and rookie Trent Frederic also being an effective asset, Coach Cassidy could also decide to play Jake DeBrusk at second line right wing instead of left wing when he returns from a lower-body injury, instead of dressing either Kase or Studnicka.

Before his injury, DeBrusk was relatively quiet this season, especially playing on the second line. However, he seemed rejuvenated after a move up to the first line and right wing. It’s unknown if the move to the first line or to right wing was the thing that lit a fire under him, but it’s worth a try to see what he does at right wing on the second line when he’s healthy.

Overall, I think Kase just doesn’t mold well in this lineup and their are guys that are more deserving and just fit better in his role. To make matters worse, Kase is injury prone and you never know when he might go down with another injury, leaving the team shorthanded on the bench for the rest of the game.