P-Bruins Coach Jay Leach Discusses NHL Recall Options

If the NHL returns, expanded rosters are likely to be part of the equation. With limited at best ‘training camp’ time before a return to game play, NHL coaching staffs will have to rely on their AHL coaches to determine who is deserving of a recall to the expanded rosters. Providence Bruins head coach Jay Leach has an idea of who could contribute to the NHL club should the season resume.

“This is really just my best guess, but it’s the guys that we always talk about,” Jay Leach said via Zoom on Monday morning. “The Studnicka’s, the Frederic’s, it depends. If you have five guys it’s the Studdy’s (Studnicka), the Freddy’s (Frederic), it’s Zboril, Vaaks (Urho Vaakanainen), Kampfer, but it’s really tough to nail it down.

“I’d go with those four or five to start, and then where does it end?” Leach continued. “It depends on what the limit is and what they are going to need.” As of now, no one knows what an exact roster limit would look like, and no one really knows what exactly the Bruins injury situation is going to be.

“I don’t know if anyone can forecast that just because of the unknown,” he continued.

Although Leach named those five players when asked, he didn’t exactly rule out the potential addition of anyone else off of his AHL roster.

“I can tell you that there are plenty of candidates. I think these guys have shown that, whether it’s Senny (Zach Senyshyn) or even the up and comers like Lauko or Studdy or all those guys.”

The Providence Bruins had a record of 38-18-0-6 at the cancellation of the AHL season. Clearly, Leach is correct. There are plenty of candidates.