Charlie Coyle has been penciled in as the Bruins’ No. 2 center ever since David Krejci announced he was leaving to play in the Czech Republic, but so far Coyle has not actually played in a preseason game.
That is expected to change Wednesday night. Coyle, who has missed Boston’s first five preseason contests while recovering from offseason knee surgery, should be in the lineup for the Bruins’ preseason finale against the Capitals at TD Garden.
Coyle will slot in exactly where anticipated, as the second-line center between Taylor Hall and Craig Smith. All the rest of the Bruins’ regulars are expected to play as well.
"Pretty eager," Coyle said of his return. "That’s why you play, is you want to play games and feel a part of the team again. It’s a long summer. You’re kind of just training, waiting to get into a meaningful game. And these are meaningful. It’s a good test. It’s new linemates, new teammates, get the system back again. That stuff’s big. Definitely looking forward to doing that and just getting those good habits and good practice for the real thing coming."
While Coyle has now gotten several practices in on the second line, including on Tuesday, Jack Studnicka has seen more time there in his absence, including in two preseason games.
Studnicka has certainly given the Bruins a lot to think about, as he has played very well throughout the preseason. He has a team-high four points in four games and scored his second goal in Monday’s 2-1 loss to the Flyers (while playing with Jakub Lauko and Jesper Froden).
The Bruins haven’t made any final decision on whether Studnicka will start the season in Boston or Providence. While he has made that decision more difficult, it still seems most likely that he’ll be sent to the AHL.
The Bruins like the idea of giving Coyle a real shot on the second line. While Coyle is coming off a disappointing 16-point season, the hope is that a healthier knee and more talented wingers will help Coyle take his game to another level.
The Bruins also like their new-look third line of Jake DeBrusk, Erik Haula and Nick Foligno. Coach Bruce Cassidy is on the record as saying he doesn’t think the fourth line is the ideal spot for a skilled player like Studnicka. The team favors some combination of Trent Frederic, Tomas Nosek, Curtis Lazar and Chris Wagner there.
That leaves Studnicka without an obvious home on the big club. Even if Studnicka does begin in Providence, though, it could take just one player in Boston’s top nine getting hurt or struggling to open a spot for Studnicka, assuming he plays the same way for the P-Bruins that he’s been playing in training camp and preseason.
Coyle said he has felt some pressure watching Studnicka excel in his absence, but said that's a good thing.
"That's what you need," Coyle said. "That's what good teams have. Every day I think you should feel a little pressure, whether that's younger guys or older guys trying to make a push. That's what makes the guys ahead play better. Because if you don't, they're coming up. That's the mindset you have to have, that you have to bring it every day, or someone else is going to take that spot.
"To have that within our team, extra guys who can come in and play, that's only going to make everyone better. So you love to see it. You love to see a guy like Jack play well and push us, push me. I hope I push him. That's what makes a good team, that's what makes good teammates, and that's exactly what we need."
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