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Second line right wing & third line center: Who do you want to see there? |
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Baring any unexpected trades, the Bruins will open training camp in September with two big holes to fill.
Depending on whether or not they break up the trio of Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak to move Pastrnak to the second line right wing, there will be an opening on either the first or second line right side. On their third line, there will also be an opening at the center position.
Earlier this month, general manager Don Sweeney addressed the openings and made it known they're likely to fill the gaps internally, rather than externally.
"Potentially, but we have some strong internal candidates. I think Danton Heinen deserves an
opportunity; I think Ryan Donato deserves an opportunity," Sweeney said about the right wing position. "We have other players that we’re going to take a look at."
When addressing the center position, it was much of the same from Sweeney.
"It’s likely internal at this point, yes, and we have some very strong candidates. We have some
young players that certainly want that slot, and we have a couple of guys internally that I think
can move up and play that slot," said Sweeney.
"Sean Kuraly is certainly a player that wants to have a bigger role, and then you have the three younger players that we feel, and we also have a couple of other guys that we’ve added to the group that we’re going to go to work with and see where they fit in."
When you look at the internal options the Bruins have for both positions, they do have the luxury of several candidates who can move up and down the lineup, as well as play multiple positions.
Here's a look at some of those options:
David Backes
The Bruins are in a tough spot with David Backes. The veteran suffered a concussion at the end of their playoff series with the Lightning, his second in as many seasons with the Bruins. Making $6 million per season, Backes hasn't come close to giving the Bruins the return they had hoped for. Backes point totals have decreased in each of the past three seasons and the 34-year old is showing signs of his age.
With a handful of youngsters chomping at the bit for a consistent spot among the Bruins 12 forwards, the challenges surrounding Backes only increase for the Bruins. It's hard to play Backes over a lets say Danton Heinen or Anders Bjork, but it's even more difficult to stash a guy making $6 million per season on the bench.
Danton Heinen
Heinen had an interesting season in 2017-18. At times Heinen looked lost on the ice, but then Heinen would go on stretches where his game would impress you. He finished with 16 goals and 31 assists for 47 points in 77 games. Heinen also gives the Bruins the luxury of having a guy who can play both the left and right wings, as he often did last season.
Heinen's best hockey last season came when he was asked to play a bottom-six role. But now with a full season under his belt, and some success in a bottom-six role, Heinen could be ready to make the jump to the top-six, and be what the Bruins are missing on the right side.
Anders Bjork
There was a lot of hype surrounding Bjork as he entered his rookie season last year. But Bjork failed to live up to those expectations. Much like Heinen in his rookie campaign, Bjork showed some signs of promise at times, despite his struggles.
Bjork started last year bouncing back and forth between the top two lines after being slotted into the first line right wing role out of training camp. Bjork has the skillset and smarts to be a legitimate top-six forward, but the 21-year old needs to do a better job fighting through the challenges that is the learning curve of the NHL.
Much like last summer, the right side spot on whichever of the two lines has the vacancy should be Bjork's to lose.
Ryan Donato
Donato came to the Bruins last season after a successful college career at Harvard. While at Harvard, Donato grew his game and became another Bruin who can play multiple positions. Because of that, Donato will get a look at the third line center position.
Donato had nine points in 12 games last year, but struggled very much in his own end. What was the most impressive about Donato was his shot and his shoot-first mentality, a role that doesn't really fit the mold of a two-way NHL center. Donato will be a better fit as a wing than as a center, but the flexibility Donato brings is a good thing.
Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson
JFK is one the Bruins more intriguing options as one of the organization's top prospects. Forsbacka-Karlsson had a solid season in Providence last year with 32 points in 58 games. Despite just one NHL game on his record, JFK will get a look at the third line center position.
With Bergeron and David Krejci on the back nine of their respective careers, the team is looking for their next wave of top-six centers. JFK projects to be one of those, it appears that it's now time to get that ball rolling.
Sean Kuraly
After signing a three-year contract earlier this month, it seems as if the Bruins have Kuraly penciled into the center spot behind Bergeron and Krejci, but is that the best move for the Bruins?
Kuraly was excellent in his fourth-line role last season, and may be better suited for that role once again in 2018-19. Sure, Kurlay deserves a look just like everyone else in camp, but the 25-year old hasn't done much to show he's ready to anchor what the Bruins hope to be a skillful third line. A solid training camp and preseason can change that.
Trent Frederic
As the Bruins piece together their opening night roster once camp begins, Frederic will be one of several players the Bruins will give a long look at for a roster spot.
The 20-year old decided college hockey was enough, leaving the University of Wisconsin last year after two seasons to begin his pro career. In 13 games with Providence last season, Frederic had five goals and three assists.
Jack Studnicka
To me, Studnicka is the dark horse here. Arguably the Bruins most impressive at development camp a few weeks ago, Studnicka has confidence he can make the team, but does he have the skillset?
The 19-year old captained the Oshawa Generals of the OHL last season, scoring 72 points in 66 games, a twenty point increase from the previous season.
Sweeney has talked about no prospect more than Studnicka this summer, a clear sign that he and Bruins management feel that Studnicka is NHL ready. How Studnicka comes out of the gate in September may be the difference between making the Bruins, or trying again at a later date.
My picks: Bjork at right wing, Studnicka at center
Boston Bruins Blogger • 
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