Stats taken from hockeyreference.com and eliteprospects.com.
Next up on my list is forward Karson Kuhlman! Kuhlman appeared in the first 11 games of his NHL career for the Bruins last season, in which he produced three goals and two assists. He also played in 58 games for the Bruins AHL affiliate, the Providence Bruins, through which he tallied 12 goals and 18 assists. He then appeared in eight playoff games for Boston on their run to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final, in which he recorded one goal and two assists. Signed by the Bruins as an undrafted free agent following his senior season at the University of Minnesota-Duluth in 2017-18, Kuhlman has played in 60 career AHL games, over which he has produced 12 goals and 19 assists. The 23-year-old center and right wing has only played for the Bruins organization over his slightly over one season NHL and professional career.
Kuhlman proved himself to be a reliable player after being called up midseason due to injuries, and so much so that head coach Bruce Cassidy played him during the playoffs. He brings energy and speed to the lineup, and he’s also an excellent forechecker and penalty killer. He’s a smart player who’s great at board battles and is seemingly always in a good position to make a play. Kuhlman has a decent shot and is a great passer, and he’s also good at staying out of the box. He’s an excellent leader in the locker room, and he was an alternate captain at UMD for his sophomore and junior seasons before serving as the team’s captain for his senior season. He’s a smaller player, but he makes up for it with his speed and high hockey IQ, and he’s also not afraid to go to the dirty areas and doesn’t shy away when things get physical, although he is not known as a physical player. His game is perhaps best suited bottom-six role as it bears a lot of similarities to that of Sean Kuraly, but he played very well with David Krejci last season during his short time with the big club, so he could find himself there next season.
As for what we can expect out of Kuhlman next season, I think he’ll make the Bruins roster to start the season and stay there permanently. He’s a well-rounded, reliable player, and the coaching staff clearly agreed as they played him a little during the playoffs when they didn’t have to. There’s also still a hole at Krejci’s right wing, one that he played well in during his short time with the team last season. Kuhlman appears to be the Bruins most NHL-ready wing prospect, and the organization doesn’t want to make one of their top center prospects play wing, so it seems like he’s the most logical choice to at least start the season there as long as he has a good camp. There’s also an opening at wing on the third line, so if the team thinks someone else would be better off at Krejci’s wing, he could also play there. Depending on how some of the young center’s camps go, that’s a real possibility, as Coyle has been mentioned as someone who may be moved up to the wing, but that isn’t a good idea unless someone like Frederic or Studnicka is clearly ready to take his spot. Kuhlman is also capable of playing center if necessary (although he may be better off starting his NHL career at wing), so that’s yet another option. His offensive production and where he ends up in the lineup next season all depends on how his and others’ training camp’s go, so I guess we’ll just have to wait and see what happens come training camp and over the course of the regular season.
Hockey Addict 