The San Jose Sharks acquired Jack Studnicka from the Vancouver Canucks as a much-needed addition to the center position.

The San Jose Sharks acquired Jack Studnicka from the Vancouver Canucks as a much-needed addition to the center position.

San Jose has critical injuries to Nico Sturm, Ryan Carpenter, and Logan Couture. Head coach David Quinn has been deploying Luke Kunin and Filip Zadina at center, which is not their natural position.

"Another center certainly would have helped, obviously," Quinn said last night. "You have two guys playing out of position, and anytime we get an injury, it seems to be the center. Nobody feels sorry, and nobody wants to hear this story, and you got to find a way to win a hockey game."

Studnicka will allow the Sharks to have a natural centerman. Across his 90 career NHL games, he has a 47.7 FOW%. While that isn't anything special, he still has more knowledge of what to do when he loses a draw. 

Studnicka sees the ice very well and is a terrific passer. His ability to thread the needle has flashed in the NHL and AHL. 

"I've known him from afar for a while, obviously with his time in Boston. Just a very skilled player. A guy that certainly was highly thought of as a prospect," Quinn said. "He's been to organizations where they've been really forward-heavy, so I don't know if he really got the opportunity that he was looking for, to the fault of nobody. He's still a young player. He's got some good size to him, and he's got some skill, too. We are excited to have him."

As Quinn mentioned, Studnicka has skills. His first NHL point was an assist but was preceded by a silky backhand toe drag. 

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-R_0COY_WFA[/embed]

He also has an accurate shot. His release is good but not as deceptive as a pure NHL goalscorer, but he can beat goalies with his precise shot.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJ7E286fxWY[/embed]

Studnicka joins the Sharks and their land of opportunity. He will get a chance to revitalize his once highly touted NHL career. 

Make sure you bookmark THN's San Jose Sharks site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

Two Sharks Prospects Join Team USA For World Juniors

Instant Analysis: Canucks Trade Studnicka to Sharks

Struggling Blues Forward Could Interest Sharks

Sharks Injuries Continue to Pile Up

• undefined