What will the next generation of Bruins bring? - The Boston Globe
While the club is in need of a top-six finisher, young or old, and Chara’s age (43 in March) puts left-shot blue liners such as Urho Vaakanainen in focus, the spotlight shines brightly on the centers. Contending teams often have matchup-busters in the middle of lines 1 and 2, and the Bruins could enjoy that from Bergeron and Krejci for a few years yet. They are greatly in need of replacement candidates.
The organization is high on Jack Studnicka, arguably its top prospect. There’s a chance Weymouth’s Charlie Coyle, a superbly fit third-line center, finds a ferocious streak (paging Dr. Marchand). Or maybe Trent Frederic translates his moose-on-skates game and offensive touch at the NHL level. Maybe Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson eventually returns from Sweden with the intensity of another No. 45 overall pick, Bergeron.
Studnicka could be a contender on the wing, where Karson Kuhlman, Zach Senyshyn, Anders Bjork, and newcomer Oskar Steen will be fighting for ice time. The Bruins will watch their 19-23-year-olds in Buffalo and rely on them early this season, when they’re intent on giving the veterans a breather. Come playoff time, these players could be more important than you’d think.
The Bruins have so far avoided the fates of the Blackhawks, Red Wings, Kings, and Penguins, once Cup-worthy and now turning over. If they are to stay in contention, hoping to pull a second on-the-fly retooling, trades are a risky proposition. Free agent signings are riskier still. In the NHL’s marketplace, the best solutions come from within.
The nucleus is shifting here. What will the next generation bring? We’re about to find out.
While the club is in need of a top-six finisher, young or old, and Chara’s age (43 in March) puts left-shot blue liners such as Urho Vaakanainen in focus, the spotlight shines brightly on the centers. Contending teams often have matchup-busters in the middle of lines 1 and 2, and the Bruins could enjoy that from Bergeron and Krejci for a few years yet. They are greatly in need of replacement candidates.
The organization is high on Jack Studnicka, arguably its top prospect. There’s a chance Weymouth’s Charlie Coyle, a superbly fit third-line center, finds a ferocious streak (paging Dr. Marchand). Or maybe Trent Frederic translates his moose-on-skates game and offensive touch at the NHL level. Maybe Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson eventually returns from Sweden with the intensity of another No. 45 overall pick, Bergeron.
Studnicka could be a contender on the wing, where Karson Kuhlman, Zach Senyshyn, Anders Bjork, and newcomer Oskar Steen will be fighting for ice time. The Bruins will watch their 19-23-year-olds in Buffalo and rely on them early this season, when they’re intent on giving the veterans a breather. Come playoff time, these players could be more important than you’d think.
The Bruins have so far avoided the fates of the Blackhawks, Red Wings, Kings, and Penguins, once Cup-worthy and now turning over. If they are to stay in contention, hoping to pull a second on-the-fly retooling, trades are a risky proposition. Free agent signings are riskier still. In the NHL’s marketplace, the best solutions come from within.
The nucleus is shifting here. What will the next generation bring? We’re about to find out.
