After a torrid stretch in Providence, what can Bruins expect out of Jack Studnicka in expected NHL debut?

When the Bruins opted to send Jack Studnicka down to Providence during the final days of training camp this fall, it didn’t come as much of a surprise.

Sure, the 20-year-old forward exhibited those flashes of that O-zone brilliance that has elevated his stock as Boston’s top prospect, but AHL reps were going to be a necessity for Studnicka — who entered camp with just nine games of pro hockey under his belt, and a slim 175 pounds on his 6-foot-1 frame. 

Add in Boston’s preference to keep Studnicka at his regular spot at center, it would seem as though the 2017 second-rounder was going to be pushed further down the pipeline behind wingers like Anders Bjork and Zach Senyshyn when it came to vying for playing time in the NHL. 

“It’s going to be tough in the middle for Jack,” Bruce Cassidy said of Studnicka back in September.  “We’d have to move pieces around, which we said we would do (if he held his own in the NHL). But I don’t think he’s there yet and that’s fine. 

“With Jack, there are great hockey instincts and great will, but I just think he hasn’t grown into his body yet strength-wise. It is what it is. But we like how he’s playing. Is he ready to unseat anybody? I wouldn’t say so yet.”

Given Boston’s depth down the middle with the likes of Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci, Charlie Coyle, Sean Kuraly and Par Lindholm — a regular spot with the big club seemed out of the question for Studnicka, at least this year. 

But with the injury bug once again nipping at the B’s roster down the middle, Boston is set to turn to a youngster with less than 30 games of experience at the pro level in an effort to generate some tangible offensive production. 

It’s hardly the course that Boston ideally mapped out for Studnicka in his first year formally within the Bruins’ organization.

But let’s face it, the numbers don’t lie. 



With Bergeron ruled out for at least two games due to a nagging lower-body injury, Studnicka is set to make his NHL debut on Tuesday night in Montreal — with the forward centering Coyle and Jake DeBrusk in a new-look second line. Brendan Gaunce was also called up from Providence in the same transaction, but a matchup against Montreal might be more favorable for Studnicka, especially when compared to a heavier Ottawa team on Wednesday. 

If there is any flaw in Studnicka's game, it's the same one that plagues many players in their first couple of pro-hockey campaigns — size and strength.

Whereas we've seen forwards such as Bjork and Jake DeBrusk really take steps forward when it comes to winning puck battles along the boards and fighting off opposing skaters, there's always a major adjustment period for young skaters up at this level of competition, especially after years of playing opponents aged 16-21 down in juniors.

As such, Cassidy is well aware that Studnicka will likely be more suited to playing to his strengths in the center of the ice and during transition play — although having two wingers that can retrieve pucks and maintain possession in Coyle and DeBrusk should help Studnicka from being exposed.

"Our concern with him coming up I guess when he left here would be his first recall — is how is his strength going to be? He’s handled it well down there," Cassidy said. "When we look at Prov, we typically want to reward the best players. Every once and a while, there’s a matchup issue, position issue, maybe whatever, there’s a couple odd times where we may go away from that. I’ve been told he’s arguably their best player. Kind of stay out of his way hopefully. Just let him play and see where he's at.”

So long as the Bruins can negate some of the weaknesses in Studnicka's game by letting the likes of Coyle & DeBrusk do the dirty work, the center could give Boston a shot in the arm, given his play as of late down in Providence.

The Tecumseh, Ontario native hasn't slowed down since making the jump from the OHL to the AHL — leading Providence in scoring this season with 18 points (9 goals, 9 assists) through 21 games. Studnicka, who ranks second among all AHL rookies in scoring, has been on a roll this month, especially — recording points in eight of his last nine games.

Prior to his call-up, Studnicka racked up 11 points so far in November, including goals in five straight games. It's hard to miss Studnicka's high-end offensive tools, especially when it comes to his acceleration (especially when transitioning through the neutral zone) and his hands. Add in a quick, accurate shot, and it should come as no surprise that the rookie has managed to continue scoring at a consistent clip in Providence.

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But the one area to keep tabs in with Studnicka is his play away from the puck. While he still needs to fill out his frame, his speed and an active stick have made him a valuable penalty killer down in Providence, culminating in shorthanded goal this week against Hershey. It remains to be seen if Studnicka will get pressed into any special-teams play on Tuesday night, but if Studnicka can disrupt passing lanes against a fast-paced Montreal club during regular 5v5 play, his value should increase significantly.

"He’s been very consistent. He’s been scoring a lot," Cassidy said. "Killing penalties. He got a shorty the other night. So playing in all areas and facets of the game."

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In a perfect scenario, the Bruins likely would have wanted a player like Studnicka to follow a path similar to the one DeBrusk followed when he made the jump to the pros, with the latter spending an entire year in Providence after moving on from the WHL. But, with Bergeron out, this is the hand that Boston has been dealt.

Will Studnicka need more seasoning down in Providence? Most likely, yes. But given the strides he's made over the last month and Boston's willingness to tinker with the lineup to play to his strengths, both the Bruins and their top prospect are putting themselves in a position to succeed when the young center takes to the ice at the Bell Centre.