The Bruins have been operating with a “win-now” mindset for years now, but that hasn’t precluded the Original Six franchise from also embracing youth movements when necessary. The 2021 campaign might be the most striking example of Boston attempting to inject youth into a veteran-heavy roster eyeing a deep Cup run — a move that ultimately didn’t yield the desired results.
There will be a lot less riding on Boston’s younger players in 2021-22 after Don Sweeney added veterans like Nick Foligno, Erik Haula, Tomas Nosek and Derek Forbort in free agency and re-signed regulars like Taylor Hall and Mike Reilly. And yet, even though some of Boston’s most promising prospects are a bit further down in the pipeline like Fabian Lysell and Mason Lohrei, there are still a few green skaters who could factor into Boston’s plans this season with a strong camp.
Let’s take a look at some of the younger players in Boston’s organization that you might see up in the NHL ranks this season — and assess just how much of an impact they might have if handed an opportunity for regular minutes.
Jeremy Swayman, G
Well, this one was fairly obvious, right?
There may not be a whole lot of clear-cut vacancies in Boston’s forward corps and blue line for a younger AHL product to potentially secure a regular role out of camp, but the B’s goaltending corps is a different story entirely.
With Tuukka Rask either out until January/February or potentially done in the NHL, the Bruins will hand the keys to the net over to a veteran they’re banking on in Linus Ullmark and the 22-year-old Swayman — whose meteoric rise from fourth-round pick to NCAA standout to emergency call-up to potential No. 1 NHL netminder has surprised many.
Even though Boston has benefited off of divvying up reps in net between its 1A and 1B goalies over the last few seasons, relegating a rookie like Swayman into a more defined backup role and handing the lion’s share of starts to Ullmark sure seems like a sound way to help Swayman cut his teeth up in the NHL ranks without putting too much pressure on him.
But based on Bruce Cassidy’s comments at the end of Development Camp, it sure seems like Boston is going to give the youngster every opportunity to fight for the starting gig.
“I think they're both going to compete for the majority of the starts,” Cassidy said. “That's the way we see it ... The work Swayman did last year, that he was able to handle what we threw at him and then Ullmark, playing in front of our team — does that change the way he approaches the game? … It's going to be new for Sway to come in and potentially be the No. 1 and Ullmark — a new organization, having been the No. 1, how's it gonna play out for him? It's a different environment here, different expectations. So, at the end of the day, we're all looking forward to seeing where they're both at.”
It will be important to temper expectations for Swayman a tad and acknowledge that the absurd numbers he put forth last year (including an .895 save percentage on high-danger shots that led a pool of 66 regular NHL netminders) are going to come back down to earth in some capacity over the span of a full year.
Still, there’s a lot to like about Swayman’s composure and sound technique in net. Boston’s veteran core might be the primary conduit that leads this roster to another playoff push, but the play of Ullmark and Swayman (especially if he continues his absurd run from last season) might be the top determinant in just how viable the Bruins are as true Cup contenders.
Trent Frederic, F
Among younger Bruins forwards, Frederic might have the best odds at carving out a regular role in Boston’s lineup in 2021-22, but that’s still far from a guarantee. The departure of Sean Kuraly does signal the changing of the guard in some respects on a B’s fourth line that found itself treading water far too often over the last few years, but with Tomas Nosek added to the mix and likely slotting in at center, Frederic is still stuck in a crowded pool of candidates on the wing that also features Curtis Lazar, Chris Wagner and Karson Kuhlman.
Of course, the Bruins would likely prefer for Frederic to supplant some of the NHL talent ahead of him on the depth chart in camp and become a checking-line fixture in 2021-22. But that pugnacious forward — who signed a two-year, $2.1 million extension in June – is going to have to do a lot more than bug the bejesus out of the competition if he wants to make a positive impact with this club over the span of 82+ games.
Boston isn’t looking for 30+ points from the youngster in 2021 (although they’d certainly welcome it), but if Frederic can make his presence felt beyond just chirps and right hooks — whether that’s burying more Grade-A chances or throwing his weight around on the forecheck) — he has all the makings of an effective fourth-line cog on a good NHL roster.
Jack Studnicka, F
Studnicka might be the top wild card among Boston’s crop of younger players this season, because come April, he could either be a depth option, an tweener sandwiched between Boston and Providence due to a lack of open roster spots or a much-needed shot in the arm down the middle.
With Charlie Coyle expected to be the first man up to take over 2C duties following David Krejci’s departure, it’s to be expected that the third line will either be centered by Erik Haula or Nick Foligno. But even though both veterans offer strong two-way play, Studnicka still holds plenty of tantalizing potential thanks to his offensive talents. Granted, that promise didn't yield many results last year when a regular starting role was much more attainable for the 22-year-old forward — with Studnicka limited to just one goal and three points over 20 games. The skill is certainly there with Studnicka, but he’s going to have to get considerably stronger if he plans on holding his own against the big boys up in the NHL. There is some hope for optimism in that Studnicka has reportedly been working out like a madman in Foxborough this summer and did look noticeably larger upon spotting him on the ice at various points this offseason.
But Studnicka will need a strong showing in camp if he really wants a legitimate shot at sticking around in the NHL ranks this season. Granted, Studnicka would likely benefit from a full season spent at his natural position at center — and in a spot higher than the fourth line — but with both Haula/Foligno already present on the roster and Boston not necessarily afforded the luxury of letting Studnicka sort out the struggles of adjusting to the NHL game on his own time, Studnicka doesn't exactly have a lot of rope to work with here. Boston can and should give him a chance to fight for that 3C spot in camp, but if he doesn't bring it during that short sample size, he's going to be on the outside looking in for a long, long time.
Brady Lyle, D
Cassidy noted that the Bruins feel confident about Connor Clifton and how he'd fare as Kevan Miller's replacement on the right side of Boston's D corps, but don't overlook a guy in Lyle who has seen his stock soar ever since inking a contract with the B's back in April 2020.
Next to Studnicka, Lyle figures to be the most intriguing "bubble" player entering training camp, with Lyle absolutely in play for that third-pairing spot on Boston's right side if he continues to excel on the ice. Lyle is an interesting prospect in that he's certainly got the frame to hold his own in the NHL (6-foot-3, 213 pounds), but he's known more for his offensive talents, rather than a more traditional stay-at-home profile. Still, the 22-year-old defenseman just seems to get better and better with each passing month within the Bruins organization, with a strong showing at Development Camp serving as the latest example as to why many within the organization hold him in high regard.
"I think it was pretty evident from when I first physically saw Brady Lyle, his body has transformed," Providence head coach Ryan Mougenel said of Lyle's development over the summer. "He looks like a man and I think it was quite obvious ... the work and the commitment that he's put in. So I was very proud of Brady, just in the growth that he's had. He stayed in Providence, he's working with his strength trainers, he's on the ice with (Bruins skating and skills coach Kim Brandvold). And it showed — he looked like almost a different player. So really excited about him."
It remains to be seen what a big-bodied puck mover like Lyle projects to be at the next level, but so far in his short time with the Bruins organization, Lyle has yet to show signs that his ceiling is about to be reached. Boston has a good problem to have if both Clifton and Lyle are pushing each other in camp. Even if Clifton wins the spot outright, don't be surprised to see Lyle make his NHL debut at some point this season, especially if he continues to dominate down in Providence.
Other potential candidates:
Jakub Zboril, D: With the left side of Boston's defense now featuring three NHL vets in Matt Grzelcyk, Mike Reilly and Derek Forbort, it sure seems like Zboril's opportunity to carve out a starting gig on this roster has come and gone. After being sheltered heavily with O-zone starts last season (with lackluster results), Zboril figures to be more of a depth option this season alongside names like John Moore.
Urho Vaakanainen: Had this been a few years ago, we'd likely project that Vaakanainen was going to be a top-four fixture in Boston's D corps by 2021-22. But now, the Finnish blueliner is pretty much mired in no-man's land — with injuries, confidence and a lack of compete scuttling multiple chances for Vaakanainen to seize a starting spot with Boston over the last couple of years. Now, after another lackluster 2021 season in which he failed to leapfrog Zboril on the left side, it remains to be seen where Vaakanainen fits into Boston's plans beyond that as a depth option if the injury bug hits the blue line.
Jack Ahcan: A promising college UFA signed out of St. Cloud State, there's a lot to like about Ahcan's game as an undersized but offensively gifted blueliner with a chip on his shoulder. And all things considered, the Bruins should be very pleased with how he handled himself in his first year of pro hockey, posting 10 points over 19 games with the Providence/Marlborough Bruins. But Ahcan hit some bumps in the road when getting pressed into NHL games later in the season. Ahcan's road to the NHL is a little tougher to map out with Grzelcyk/Reilly/Forbort holding down the fort, but if he strings together another strong season against AHL competition, Ahcan can easily leapfrog guys like Zboril and Vaakanainen and stand as the next man up on defense when needed.
Zach Senyshyn: Senyshyn's ceiling is that of a bottom-six winger, but the 2015 first-round pick unfortunately hasn't been able to earn regular reps up in the NHL ranks due in large part to ill-timed injuries. Given Boston's offseason efforts to beef up the bottom-six unit, Senyshyn will likely operate in more of a depth role, barring a standout camp.
Cameron Hughes: Hughes is coming off of a strong season with Providence (5 goals, 16 assists in 25 games), and does offer some appeal as a two-way forward on a checking unit. Boston has a lot of potential bubble options in blue for a fourth-line role, and Hughes could put himself in the conversation with a strong preseason.
Oskar Steen: Much like Hughes, Steen is another Bruin prospect that could put himself in the running for a fourth-line role if he stands out in camp. It hasn't always been a smooth transition for Steen upon making the switch over from Sweden to North America, but the shifty forward could develop into a bottom-six contributor that can pot some goals. As you can map out here, there figures to be a lot of names vying for a fourth-line spot up on the NHL roster — but beyond Nosek and potentially Lazar, it sure seems like it's an open competition for that other vacant spot on the wing. May the best player win.
Jakub Lauko: Lauko is a fan favorite among prospects, and for good reason. In a prospect pipeline that emphasizes two-way play and features youngsters with solid floors but somewhat low ceilings, Lauko is a breath of fresh air in that his skill is easy to spot when out on a shift, but the 21-year-old forward also has plenty of bite to his game. Perhaps a situation develops in which Lauko finally breaks through this year and becomes a fourth-line agitator with scoring pop next to Nosek — but after having previous seasons interrupted by injury, perhaps the best course for now is to keep Lauko in Providence and see if he can build off of an encouraging 2021 campaign (19 points in 23 games).
