Bruins Prospect News and Notes

cshea

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AHL regular season ended yesterday. Some final regular numbers. They made the playoffs and begin a 5 game series with Lehigh Valley this weekend.

Czarnik- 64 games 25-44=69
Fitzgerald- 65 games 21-16=37
Forsbacka Karlsson- 58 games 15-17=32
Senyshyn- 66 games 12-14=26
Cehlarik- 35 games 11-12=23
Zboril- 68 games 4-16=19
Johansson- 53 games 2-8=10
Lauzon- 52 games 1-6=7
McIntyre- .914 save percentage in 47 games

Some of the new comers:

Frederic- 13 games 5-3=8
Studnicka- 5 games 1-4=5
Hughes- 13 games 0-3=3
Koppanen- 10 games 2-0=2

JFK returned this weekend after being out for more than a month with a concussion. He had a 3 point game on Saturday. Senyshyn’s numbers are pretty underwhelming, but fwiw, he got hot at the end of the year and closed with goals in 3 of his last 4 games. Hopefully that carries into the playoffs. Frederic is off to a good start as a pro.
 

RIFan

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I caught games over the last few weekends and was really impressed with Frederic. Goal yesterday was an absolute snipe. Very quick release and accurate shot. He doesn't look like he needs an awful lot of AHL seasoning. Next year's camp is going to be extremely competitive. Guys that are NHL ready are going to find themselves in Providence.
 

PedroSpecialK

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Mcintyre must have been a house on fire in the final few months to end at .914

edit: Decided to make a view of his splits. Indeed, he had a significant turnaround in January

 

McDrew

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That's 4 months in a row that he was above the average that he ended with. That's a good trend. Hopefully it continues in the playoffs.
 

Eddie Jurak

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The only real disappointment to me on that list is Senyshyn. Granted, he's a project. But at some point in mid season it seemed as if he was putting some things together, only to pretty much do nothing the rest of the way. I'm significantly more pessimistic on him than I was at the start of the year, though the real test will be whether, having had a year of pro hockey, he can make a big step forward next year.
 

cshea

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Not a great camera angle, but sweet play by Czarnik in the Providence game tonight. They are up 2-1 in game 1, Fitzgerald has both goals.

 

The Napkin

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Wouldn't it be nice if there was a regional network that sometimes showed games of the local team's local minor league affiliate?
Oh well. Guess I'll watch Charlie Moore instead.
 

timlinin8th

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Wouldn't it be nice if there was a regional network that sometimes showed games of the local team's local minor league affiliate?
Where would they find the time to schedule it in since hockey plays every... once...... in..... a....... while?

I’ve heard every excuse and none of them are good. Toronto broadcasts Leafs and Marlies games, why can’t we have nice things?
 

cshea

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One of The Athletic’s prospect writers (Corey Pronman) is doing a farm rankings. B’s check in at 27th, down from 10 last summer). I think that is a little low, but I have always got the impression that Pronman and the Bruins scouting eyes don’t match up.

https://theathletic.com/433944/2018/08/08/nhl-farm-system-rankings-no-27-boston-bruins/

Here’s how he ranked the B’s prospects (his definition of “prospect” is under 23, less than 25 NHL games in a single season or less than 50 career NHL games)

1. Ryan Donato
2. Urho Vaakanainen
3. Jack Studnicka
4. JFK
5. Trent Frederic
6. Ryan Fitzgerald
7. Jakub Lauko
8. Zach Senyshyn
9. Jakub Zboril
10. Jeremy Swayman
11. Peter Cehlarik
12. Joona Koppanen
13. Axel Andersson
14. Kyle Keyser
15. Anton Blidh
16. Karson Kuhlman

27 seems low to me, even with the graduates (Pastrnak, McAvoy, DeBrusk, Heinen, Bjork, Carlo all are under 23) but I guess no 1st rounder this year so there’s no fresh blue chipper in the group.
 

TheRealness

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I think they are more middle of the pack than in past years as other than Donato they really don't have anyone with star potential, or at least, someone that national folks think has star potential. They have a fair amount of average level prospects, but as you note a big part of it is the young guys they graduated that don't qualify.

This year, I am going to be looking pretty hard at the development of a few key guys:

-- JFK - He should be ready to contribute in a potential 3rd line center role, but since he may start in the AHL this year he really needs to separate himself as one of the best 2 way young centers in the "A".

-- Studnicka - He's got more raw talent than JFK, and has better speed. I don't believe he thinks the game as well, but this could be a year that sees him pass JFK.

-- Senysyhn - He really needs to break out this year. He's a slow developer, but this is the year he should really break out if he's going to end up being a NHL top 9 player. If he continues to float, this season will likely seal him as whether he's going to be a bust or not.

-- Zboril/Lauzon - The organization said a lot about them in giving John Moore a 5 year deal. You have to wonder where they are at this year, and moving forward. Zboril seems ahead of Lauzon, so he has a real chance to separate himself as an up and coming defenseman this year. Lauzon continue to struggle with injuries that may end up hampering his shot at a real NHL job.

-- Frederic - What do we have with him? Is he that close? Is he ready to be a Center? Wing? I would like to see him spend the entire year at the AHL, and ideally, force their hand for a call up. He's in competition with JFK for that future 3rd line center spot.

-- Swayman and Keyser - Can both continue their development? Swayman is the one to watch, IMO. He could end up leading UMaine to good things.
 

burstnbloom

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Pronman is historically very down on the Bruins farm system, for one reason or another. This is a guy that didn't have Jake Debrusk in his top 100 last year.
 

Salem's Lot

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I'm really worried that JFK will be Spooner 2.0
Spooner is an NHL player, and has had a better career than most of the other players selected in the 2nd round of the 2010 draft. Second round picks have around a 50/50 flameout rate of ever playing more than 15-20 NHL games. If JFK becomes Spooner 2.0 I won’t be disappointed. I know Bergeron ruined our expectations of 2nd round picks, but we shouldn’t look at developing a Ryan Spooner type from a 2nd rounder as a bad thing.
 

cshea

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Spooner and JFK are opposites. We wondered if Spooner would ever locate the inside of the defensive blue line. JFK’s biggest question is if his offensive game translates.
 

BigMike

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Spooner and JFK are opposites. We wondered if Spooner would ever locate the inside of the defensive blue line. JFK’s biggest question is if his offensive game translates.
right, I think it is more likely he becomes Riley Nash 2.0, or Nate Thompson 2.0.

I think he is a smart hockey player. I do think there is question whether the offense translate to become 2nd line type or high end 2 way 3rd line. At the same time, I think there is some open question as to whether he has the snarl to go along with the smarts to become a real 3rd line shutdown type C
 

veritas

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They’re opposites but an apt comparison value wise. They both have pretty high floors as role players. The Bruins have never really had an appetite for a role player like Spooner though, which is frustrating.

I don’t have much of a problem with them being so low in Pr0nman’s rankings, given his criteria. If he ranked teams based on 23 and under talent, they’d be top 5 without a doubt. Pastrnak and McAvoy are elite players already. DeBrusk and Heinen are still “high-end prospects” by his definition, and Carlo and Bjork are “very good prospects”.

Them being rated low on a prospect ranking is way better than people yelling about Claude hating the kids, whether you agreed with it or not
 

McDrew

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They’re opposites but an apt comparison value wise. They both have pretty high floors as role players.
That's really what I was going at. I'm really worried that JFK's game and what the B's need out of him in the role they put him in will be as out of sync as it was with Ryan Spooner. Spooner isn't bad, he was just a bad fit.
 

jk333

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right, I think it is more likely he becomes Riley Nash 2.0, or Nate Thompson 2.0.

I think he is a smart hockey player. I do think there is question whether the offense translate to become 2nd line type or high end 2 way 3rd line. At the same time, I think there is some open question as to whether he has the snarl to go along with the smarts to become a real 3rd line shutdown type C
I agree with this. And it’s why I think his floor is lower than some. Still, his 1B upside and the Riley Nash comparison are nice to have for a second round pick.

We will see, huge year for JFK and Senshyn.
 

veritas

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That's really what I was going at. I'm really worried that JFK's game and what the B's need out of him in the role they put him in will be as out of sync as it was with Ryan Spooner. Spooner isn't bad, he was just a bad fit.
I think most teams could benefit from exactly one player like Spooner (or Vanek, for another example) who is a weapon on the power play, and who, at even strength, should be stapled to the bench when you’re winning, and taking extra shifts when you’re losing.

Edit: the Bruins do not agree with me
 

lexrageorge

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I think most teams could benefit from exactly one player like Spooner (or Vanek, for another example) who is a weapon on the power play, and who, at even strength, should be stapled to the bench when you’re winning, and taking extra shifts when you’re losing.

Edit: the Bruins do not agree with me
Part of the problem is that Spooner just became pretty expensive ($4M/yr) for such a role player, especially for a team like the Bruins where there are other relatively cheap but good young players that will soon get pretty expensive.

Regarding JFK: he's only 21, and has had only one season at the AHL, which got abbreviated due to a concussion. Seems way too early to write him off.
 

RIFan

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The one reason why I don't think the Spooner / JFK comparisons are apt is that Spooner had a visual "wow" factor due to his skating and highlight reel flashes. The average fans, especially TV viewers, don't see his downside because lack of positioning and puck anticipation don't show themselves very well to fans, but they are glaring to coaches. JFK is the opposite in that his positioning and his defensive stick work are his strengths. He might not fill out a score sheet, but coaches are going to want a guy like that on the ice. The same fans that wondered why Spooner wasn't getting more ice time will wonder why JFK is on the team at all.
 

McDrew

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I wondered why Spooner was getting so much ice time. He was so streaky and, like you said, had problems with his defensive positioning and awareness. I think the B's should have just tried to make him a 4W instead of a 3C. If JFK ends up being Gregory Campbell 2.0 (Less fighting, more positioning), that would be a welcome addition to this team. Campbell was on the 2nd unit PK, centered the 4th line competently, and filled that role really well.
 

Dummy Hoy

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Bruins announced their roster for the annual Prospects Challenge in Buffalo 9/7-10. (via Joey Mac at the Athletic)

Forwards: Anders Bjork, Ryan Donato, Ryan Fitzgerald, Carson Focht, Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson, Trent Frederic, Cameron Hughes, Joona Koppanen, Karson Kuhlman, Jakub Lauko, John Ludvig, Cedric Pare, Zach Senyshyn, Oskar Steen and Jack Studnicka.

Defense: Axel Andersson, Justin Bergeron, Daniel Bukac, Connor Clifton, Olivier Galipeau, Emil Johansson, Jeremy Lauzon, Wiley Sherman, Urho Vaakanainen and Jakub Zboril.

Goalies: Kyle Keyser, Daniel Vladar and Dawson Weatherill.
 

cshea

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Healthy group there. By my count, 10 kids who have a reasonable chance of skating with the NHL team this year. Studnicka seems to have the most buzz as a dark horse candidate to make the team, so it’ll be interesting to see him. He’s got the AHL rules working against him though.

Camp is going to be kind of funky this year with half the team (likely most of the regulars, I believe) going to China. Curious to see if they bring any of these prospects to China to play with the big boys, or if they just roll them through the NA preseason schedule and give them bigger minutes against NHL/AHL guys.
 

LogansDad

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Is it too much to ask for this teenage Bergeron to turn out as good as the last one?

Yeah?

Darn.

Looks like a fun team, though. Any chance any of these games will be on the NHL Network (or televised at all)?
 

TheRealness

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Is it too much to ask for this teenage Bergeron to turn out as good as the last one?

Yeah?

Darn.

Looks like a fun team, though. Any chance any of these games will be on the NHL Network (or televised at all)?
Some of them are streamed, but it's tough to get them consistently.

That lineup is pretty damn deep. Would be nice to watch them as much as I could.
 

cshea

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I know nothing about any of the goalies. Anyone to get excited about?
Vladar probably has the highest ceiling. He was a 3rd round pick in 2015 and has spent the past 2 seasons playing professionally, mostly in the ECHL. He has 12 appearances in Providence with decent results, .915 save percentage. He’ll probably spend the full upcoming year in Providence.

Keyser is an OHL goalie, he was a camp invite last year and played well enough camp and the prospect tourney to earn an ELC. Longer term project, he’ll probably go back to the OHL this year. .904 save percentage in 47 games a year ago, which is decent. Plays on the same team as Jack Studnicka.

Weatherill is just a camp invite. Looks like a WHL goalie, .893 for Spokane a year ago.

The top goalie in the system might be Jeremy Swayman who won’t be a part of the prospect tourney. 4th round pick in 2017, played really well as a freshman for U. Maine in Hockey East. .921 as a freshman, out performed some more notable peers like Jake Oettinger from BU who was Dallas’ first round pick in 2017.

It’s really hard to project goalies and they take forever to develop, but all 3 of Vladar/Swayman/Keyser are intriguing.
 

veritas

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Speaking of goalies, what exactly happened to Zane McIntyre? He was a great college goalie, had a statistically dominant AHL season in 2016-17, then was brutal in his cup of coffee in the NHL and never seemed to recover. Is it a mental issue? Injuries? A super lucky AHL season?
 

McDrew

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26-15-4 with a .914 SV% and a 2.52 GAA for the Pruins last season. His stats dropped from the 2016-2017 season, but from what I understand it was more because he had an increased workload (1k more minutes) because he wasn't splitting time with Malcolm Subban anymore.

While he was Drafted in 2010 (!!!!!), he didn't graduate from UND until 2015, so he's only had 3 seasons post-college. I'm honestly very OK with having him as the #1 in providence.
 

veritas

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26-15-4 with a .914 SV% and a 2.52 GAA for the Pruins last season. His stats dropped from the 2016-2017 season, but from what I understand it was more because he had an increased workload (1k more minutes) because he wasn't splitting time with Malcolm Subban anymore.

While he was Drafted in 2010 (!!!!!), he didn't graduate from UND until 2015, so he's only had 3 seasons post-college. I'm honestly very OK with having him as the #1 in providence.
He'll be 26 when the season starts. He's OK as a Providence 1st and NHL 3rd string goalie. But there's a pretty good chance he's peaked and right now he's a below average NHL backup. That's disappointing.
 

lexrageorge

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He'll be 26 when the season starts. He's OK as a Providence 1st and NHL 3rd string goalie. But there's a pretty good chance he's peaked and right now he's a below average NHL backup. That's disappointing.
Depends upon how you define disappointment. McIntyre is the only one of the 4 goalies picked in that round to even get a cup of coffee in the NHL, and one of 6 players picked in that same round to appear in the NHL. Such is the risk of a 6th round draft pick.

Of course, of the 21 goalies picked in that draft, the best was picked in the 7th round, the second to last netminder drafted that year.
 

cshea

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Bruins sent Vaakanainen to Providence this afternoon. Good showing in camp, he looks like a player that’ll help when the time comes.


Also, Providence also opens up the season tonight. Divver has the lineup as:

Fitzgerald - Szwarz - Cehlarik
Hughes - JFK - McNeill
Senyshyn - Frederic - Kuhlman
Blidh - Pond - Fyten

Breen - Zboril
Lauzon - Clifton
Johansson - Sherman

McIntyre
Vladar
 

LogansDad

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I agree, I liked what little I saw of him in camp, and everything I've seen/read has reinforced that. But he needs minutes to play, and he won't be getting those in Boston until someone gets injured.
 

BigMike

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Providence can drive me nuts at time. 3rd line is the most interesting line on the roster. And then Chris Breen playing top pairing D :mad:
 

veritas

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P-Bruins getting dominated tonight, down 3-0, Vladar in for Zane who stopped 7 of 10. With Providence being more important to the Bruins than usual this season, imo, do we want to start a (game) thread for them?
 

TheRealness

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P-Bruins getting dominated tonight, down 3-0, Vladar in for Zane who stopped 7 of 10. With Providence being more important to the Bruins than usual this season, imo, do we want to start a (game) thread for them?
Looks like McIntyre was awful. Let in a bad angle goal, a point shot (although there was a screen), and got beat clean shorthanded on a shot from the circles. Ugly start for him.

They lost 4-2. As for a thread, I would say yes. New threads are good.
 

cshea

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Haven’t done an update yet, so here we go:

CHL

Jack Studnicka- 21 games 8-20=28
Jakub Lauko- 18 games 11-10=21
Cedric Pare- 23 games 5-13=18
Daniel Bukac- 19 games 2-2=4
Kyle Keyser- 16 games .925%

NCAA

Jack Becker- 11 games 2-3=5
Curtis Hall- 5 games 2-1=3
Cameron Clarke- 10 games 0-4=4
Jeremy Swayman- 10 games .920%

EUROPE

Axel Andersson- 15 games 0-2=2
Oskar Steen- 18 games 6-3=9
Victor Berglund- 19 games 2-3=5
Pavel Shen- 12 games 0-0=0
Alex Khokhlachev- 30 games 11-10=21

That about covers it.
 

cshea

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Midpoint, post WJC check-in:

CHL

Jack Studnicka- 30 games, 12-23= 34. 1-3=4 in 5 WJC games for Canada.
Jakub Lauko- 26, 12-14=26. 1-1=2 in 5 WJC games for the Czech’s.
Cedric Pare- 39, 9-20=29
Daniel Bukac- 24, 2-4=6. 1 assist in 5 WJC games.

Kyle Keyser- .931 save percentage in 24 games. Played 2 games in the WJC, .872 save percentage.

NCAA

Jeremy Swayman- .913 in 17 games.
Jack Becker- 20 games, 4-6=10
Curtis Hall- 11 games, 3-1=4
Cameron Clarke, 20 games 0-7=7

EUROPE

Axel Andersson- 30 games, 0-3=3 in the top Swedish league.
Pavel Shen- 15 KHL games, no points. 3-1=4 in 7 WJC games.
Oskar Steen- 25 games, 6-7=13. Believe he is in the 2nd tier Swedish league.
Victor Berglund- 34 games, 4-5=9, in the top Swedish league (Toby Enstrom is on his team)
Alex Khokhlachev. 16-16=32 in 44 KHL games.
Urho Vaakanainen- 4 assist in 7 games for the WJC gold medal winners. Average a team high 23 minutes per game.

Stuck Vaak in here with the other WJC guys even though he is in the pro system. He doesn’t have much of a sample this year due to the concussion. I assume he’ll be back with Providence this week.

Shen seems intriguing, he got good reviews in the WJC, and captained the Russian team in the Canada/Russia series earlier this year. Seems to play well against his age group, so the KHL doesn’t seem like the best spot for him.

Not much going on in the college ranks.
 

TheRealness

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I believe Vaak is at the top of their young defenseman list. He was a rock for the Fins in the WJC. A lot of recent comparisons to Hjalmarsson (sp?) as well. I suspect if you see them trading Krug or Gryz, he is why. He can't replicate Krug's PP skills, but man is Vaak smooth. He is going to have a long and steady career.

After that, it seems evident Studnicka is probably their best center prospect by far. Hopefully his all around game is strong enough to start really competing for the 3C spot the next few years.

I agree on Shen. Really intriguing for a 7th rounder. Seems like they got great value there.

Outside of that, not much else there at F or D.

As for Goalies, I have to think Keyser has jumped ahead of Swayman at this point on the prospect depth chart. Not sure that means much though.