My top 6
Marchand- Bergeron-Studnicka
DeBrusk- Krejci- Pastrnak
from Conor Ryan
fantastic hockey writer
Jack Studnicka
2019-20 Stats (Providence/AHL) – 60 games, 23 goals, 49 points
Drafted: Round 2 (No. 53 overall) — 2017
Who else did you expect?
Even before Studnicka impressed during limited minutes up in the Toronto bubble, the 21-year-old forward was already far and away the shining star of Boston's prospect pool, especially after his impressive scoring totals in the OHL (233 points in 252 games) translated over to his first full season against AHL competition (23 goals, 49 points in 60 games).
An explosive forward in the offensive zone with a quick stride and silky mitts, Studnicka can make a lot happen with the puck on his stick. But speaking back in July, Cassidy was quick to note that Studnicka's adherence to the finer details of his game brings along some comparisons to another skilled Bruins pivot.
“Like Bergy
(Patrice Bergeron), he’s good at everything, but he’s not this flashy guy,"
Cassidy said. "And I do see that with Jack. He’s a second-effort player, never quits on a play, can make plays, smart, work both ends of the ice. I think Bergy’s shot is obviously ahead of Jack’s and rightfully so. Jack’s going to have to work on that part of it. I’m sure Bergy did as well over the years. Some of that has to do with getting stronger, some of that is knowing the league. A quick release is paramount if you want to score goals.
“Bergy started in the league as a right winger. Jack may have to do that, I don’t want to project — but when you look at Bergeron, Krejci, Coyle, Kuraly, Lindholm, we’re pretty strong down the middle, so that might be an opportunity for him to make our team on the wing. So he learns a different part of the game. I’m going to say there are some similarities at the same age. Listen, I hope he turns into the next Bergy, that’d be great for the franchise, would be great for the individual. It’d be great for us as coaches because he’s second to none in terms of a player and a person. So if that happens I think the Bruins will be in good shape for the next 10 years.”
Now, it's VERY unfair to expect Studnicka to develop into a player of Bergeron's caliber — but it's easy to see why Studnicka has the makings of an impactful top-six forward at the NHL level. With Boston's current pipeline of centers intact for the 2021 season, it would appear as though Studnicka's best shot at sticking with the big club to start would be on the wing — in which he will be competing for valuable minutes alongside the likes of
Craig Smith, Ondrej Kase, Anders Bjork, Jake DeBrusk, Nick Ritchie, Zach Senyshyn and others.
And while there's no guarantee that Studnicka will be logging minutes next to Bergeron, Krejci or Coyle to open the new season, it seems rather inevitable that the gifted forward will be up in Boston and contributing at some point during the 2021 NHL campaign. For as much as Studnicka's skill is evident, it's his willingness to operate in Grade-A ice and drive to the net (despite still needing to pack on some weight) that stands out upon watching the tape — with his fearless approach often leading to a number of quality looks out on the ice.
