In the past couple of seasons, the Boston Bruins have tried to piece together a solid fourth line with free agent signings and young prospects. The results have been mixed, with the recently departed Curtis Lazar being a bright spot while free agent signings Tomas Nosek and Nick Foligno have been struggling to find consistency. Coming into this season, the Bruins are looking to go younger on the fourth line, and good competition has emerged.
With Lazar now moved to Vancouver, the Bruins will need a new center on the bottom line, and a battle has emerged between former second-round pick Jack Studnicka and 2019 first-rounder John Beecher. The Bruins have been waiting for Studnicka to find a more active, consistent role with the parent club, and Beecher was projected to be in Providence when the season starts. However, the former Michigan Wolverine has improved his game to the point where Boston might call on the 21-year-old sooner. Nosek can also play center and is in the last year of a two-year deal. This preseason has been a chance for Nosek to seize the fourth-line pivot, but his performance has been pretty underwhelming.
Veteran wingers Nick Foligno and Chris Wagner could potentially round out the fourth line, but both have struggled to find their game. Wagner spent most of last season in Providence, and Foligno has drawn the ire of Bruins fans due to his contract ($3.8 million cap hit this season) and lack of scoring punch. The Bruins could send both through waivers and go younger with AJ Greer and Marc McLaughlin, as both players have impressed this preseason. Oskar Steen was given a two-year, one-way contract by Boston but was outplayed by Greer and McLaughlin and sent through waivers. The former sixth-round pick in 2016 went unclaimed and should begin the season in Providence of the American Hockey League.
New coach Jim Montgomery has a final decision with one preseason game remaining. Like Steen, Greer would have to clear waivers. The Bruins would risk losing a player who has shown scoring touch and a willingness to play a physical game. And then there’s third-liner Trent Frederic. Should the Bruins start the season with Foligno on the third line and Studnicka centering the fourth line? Maybe the Bruins waive Frederic on the last year of a $1.05 million deal. Or do the Bruins send Wagner and McLaughlin down and go with Foligno, Studnicka, and Greer?
Tough decisions are coming for the Bruins as they begin a roster turnover. My ideal fourth line? Beecher is centering Greer and McLaughlin. All three have speed, size, and a little scoring touch. This is when Bruins fans find out if Jack Studnicka is in the plans. This year’s contract is a two-way deal meaning the Bruins can send Studnicka down. However, the 23-year-old has played better every game in the preseason, with an ability to kill penalties. Look for Studnicka to get a chance at the fourth-line center to start the season.
My prediction: Studnicka will center Nosek and Greer to start the 2022-23 season for Boston. Where does that leave Nick Foligno? Maybe in Providence. Where does that leave Frederic? Maybe on the outside looking in. Marc McLaughlin was not at practice on Thursday and appeared to be on the move to Providence. It might be time to move on from Foligno and Frederic and add some new blood to a fourth line that needs it.
