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Prospect Pipeline: Boston Bruins

By Joe Palencia

Apr 19, 2022; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Boston Bruins center Marc McLaughlin (26) checks St. Louis Blues left wing Nathan Walker (26) during the first period at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 19, 2022; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Boston Bruins center Marc McLaughlin (26) checks St. Louis Blues left wing Nathan Walker (26) during the first period at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
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NHL  Hockey is a difficult sport to follow so imagine how hard it must be to play as a rookie. That is why some players that are deemed not ready go to the American Hockey League (AHL) to work on their game until they are ready to contribute in the big leagues. Let’s see what the Boston Bruins have coming up in the Pipeline.

The Providence Bruins (P-Bruins) sit at 3rd place in their division with 82 points and 3 games in hand. They have already clinched a spot in the playoffs. Although winning championships is good for players’ careers there is a little more at stake for these guys. This is an opportunity for teams to get a look at the up-and-coming talent or scout their players in high-pressure situations.

LAVAL, QC – OCTOBER 16: Cameron Hughes #24 of the Providence Bruins skates 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: Cameron Hughes #24 of the Providence Bruins skates 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) /

Cameron Hughes

Taking a look at the top contributors for the P-Bruins, they clearly have some guys that can fill the stat sheet. Leading the team in points is Cameron Hughes. The 25-year-old Edmonton native has  45 points in 59 games played. He hasn’t had the best defensive season with a -7 and another career-high in penalty minutes where he is 8th on the team in PIMs with 39.

His year-by-year stats show that this is a bad year for him in plus/minus. He had a career-high of +9 in the 2018-19 season. While this season is probably not what Hughes envisioned in October, he will end the year with a career-high in assists. If Hughes can keep that plus/minus in the positive and learn a little bit of discipline the Bruins could come calling if they need a middle 6 guy.

Jack Studnicka

Jack Studnicka has been in and out of Boston this season and a quick look at his production this year shows why he hasn’t stuck. In 40 games played he has 34 points. Along with his teammate Cameron, he has a -11 for the year which is a little uncharacteristic judging by his numbers.

BOSTON, MA – FEBRUARY 21: Jack Studnicka #23 of the Boston Bruins skates against the Colorado Avalanche during the third period at the TD Garden on February 21, 2022, in Boston, Massachusetts. The Bruins won 5-1. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – FEBRUARY 21: Jack Studnicka #23 of the Boston Bruins skates against the Colorado Avalanche during the third period at the TD Garden on February 21, 2022, in Boston, Massachusetts. The Bruins won 5-1. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images) /

Hopefully, Studnicka takes this summer to look at his game and improve where he needs to. He has played 14 games for Boston putting up 3 helpers and taking 19 shots. With the Bruins in search of another center to slot into their second line, Studnicka could be right there come next October.

Marc MacLaughlin

One guy that might be in Studnicka’s way is the newly signed center, Marc McLaughlin. The rookie signed a 2-year entry-level contract when his season with Boston College ended. McLaughlin has had limited playing time with Boston but has been pretty productive. Putting 3 goals in the net in 9 games played. The 6″0′ center isn’t afraid to throw his 205-pound frame around either.

Apr 14, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins center Marc McLaughlin (26) reacts after scoring a goal during the first period against the Ottawa Senators at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 14, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins center Marc McLaughlin (26) reacts after scoring a goal during the first period against the Ottawa Senators at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

McLaughlin seemed to fit in well with the second line while the Bruins dealt with injuries over the last few weeks. It will be interesting to see what this kid can do in a full season with the team after having a strong start to his NHL career.  McLaughlin already has the ability to be in the right spot. Something that can be attributed to his 4-year career at BC where he won 2 Big East titles with the eagles.

Fabian Lysell

Boston Bruins, Fabian Lysell
Boston Bruins, Fabian Lysell (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Fabian Lysell was selected by the Bruins in the first round of the 2021 NHL Draft. This year he played with the Vancouver Giants of the WHL where he scored 22 goals and notched 40 assists for a total of 62 points in 53 games and was a +10 on the ice. In the WHL Playoffs, he notched 6 assists in 2 games played. If Lysell’s game translates to the NHL, he could have an immediate impact. Lysell was a name thrown around as a depth addition for the playoffs like Mclaughlin, however, he was held out due to the Giants making the playoffs. His highlight tape shows real promise and the clips that have circulated online have shown just how good Lysell could be for the Bruins.

The Bruins could fill some key holes in this roster. Nobody knows for sure how these guys will pan out but one thing is for sure, Bruins camp is going to be one to watch in October.

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