Where Could Jack Studnicka Play This Season?

The Boston Bruins are well into the offseason and despite the lack of free agency moves and a mediocre draft, somehow the Bruins are doing some thing right and one of those things in locking down Jack Studnicka to a new deal.

Jack Studnicka was the Bruns 2nd round pick in the 2017 draft and he’s had time to develop across juniors and into the AHL but something is lacking for the young forward and it all comes down to time and patience for the Bruins.

What is the issue with Studnicka and the Bruins?

The issues lie from within, with the Bruins in the last few years, it’s been difficult for Studnicka to have an opportunity in the lineup due to the depth at center. For years even before Studnicka, the Bruins center depth was at a staple with Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci but come a few years later and add in current Bruins Tomas Nosek and and Charlie Coyle and well, there was a bit of back log.

This past season was tough for Studnicka with Bergeron, Coyle, Haula and Nosek down the middle which unless there was an injury, Studnicka didn’t see anytime and it didn’t help his cause with being re-assigned and called back up from the AHL.

How can the Bruins deploy Studnicka this season?

This coming season, barring Patrice Bergeron or David Krejci returning, there will be some spots to fill for the opening night roster leaving an excellent opportunity for Jack Studnicka to slide into the lineup and really show Boston what he can do. Perhaps JIm Montgomery at the helm would look at testing Studnicka on the power play to see if that is something that would work but they won’t know if they don’t try. All in all I wouldn’t expect Studnicka to play in the top 6, especially with Charlie Coyle still in the fold and the recently acquired Pavel Zacha, it is more likely to see Studnicka take on a bottom 6 role to start with and some potential to find some success somewhere on special teams.