Studnicka, with two goal and an assist, has acquitted himself quite well throughout the exhibition slate, as the 15 pounds he packed on to his 6-foot-1 frame during the offseason appear to have provided him with the strength and confidence needed to hang at the NHL level.
That 22-year-old's success has not, however, deterred Coyle, who believes the more capable players a team has at its disposal can only be beneficial in the long run.
"That's what you need," Coyle said following Tuesday's practice at Warrior Ice Arena. "I think that's what good teams have…every day, I think, you should feel a little pressure, whether it's younger guys or older guys trying to make a push. That's what makes us guys ahead, I guess, play better because if you don't, they're coming up. That's the mindset you have to have; you have to bring it every day or someone else is gonna take your spot."
"To have extra guys that can come in and play, that's only gonna make everyone better, make our team better. You love to see a guy like that play well and push us, push me. I hope I push him. That's what makes a good team and good teammates. That's exactly what we need."
Coyle will get his first chance to push back on Wednesday night when he makes his preseason debut in the B's exhibition finale against the Washington Capitals at TD Garden. The 29-year-old, who underwent knee surgery over the summer, is feeling healthy and is eager to have Hall and Smith flanking him in game action.
"I feel great," said Coyle. "You always can think back to, I wish I was healthy this summer so I could get more reps in and work on things more. But the main thing is being 100 percent ready for Game 1. I know that's where I am and that's where I'm gonna be when that time comes. That's most important in my mind and that way I can feel confident in everything I do, and I can just go play hockey."