Boston Bruins Preseason Transactions and Roster Preview for Remaining Preseason Games

Boston, MA— Approximately one week from today, the Boston Bruins will be playing regular season hockey. Since opening their main camp on September 7th, the Bruins’ brass have whittled the roster down from 61 on the 11th of September to 33 today, September 26th.

Here’s a quick rundown of all transactions thus far:

Transactions and Assignments

Daniel Bukac (OHL Niagara Ice Dogs), Kyle Keyser (OHL Oshawa Generals), Cedric Pare (QMJHL Rimouski Oceanic), and Jack Studnicka (OHL Oshawa Generals) have all been returned to their junior organizations.

Wiley Sherman, Dan Vladar, Jeremy Lauzon, Connor Clifton, Karson Kuhlman, Cameron Hughes, Emil Johansson, Joona Koppanen, and Zach Senyshyn have been sent down to the AHL (Providence) without the need for waivers.

Anton Blidh, Colby Cave, Cody Goloubef, Mark McNeill, and Jordan Szwarz have all been assigned to the AHL (Providence) through waivers. All players cleared waivers, however the Bruins elected to keep Szwarz up in Boston. By sending him through the waiver wire, the Bruins can pull him between Providence and Boston for the next 30 days (beginning October 3rd) without requiring waivers again.

All AHL-contract skaters have been returned to the Providence Bruins for the purpose of attending their training camp. These include: Austin Fyten, Olivier Galipeau, Brett McKenzie, Joel Messner, Tanner Pond, Alex Sakellaropoulos.

Marcel Noebels and Mark Fayne have been released from their professional tryouts (PTOs) outright.

Axel Andersson has been returned to his Swedish team, Djurgårdens IF.

Source: bruins.nhl.com

Final Preseason Rosters Preview

The Bruins skate in preseason action twice before opening their regular season on the road against the Capitals in Washington, DC on October 3rd. Notable prospects remaining with the NHL roster include: Zane McIntyre, Peter Cehlarik, Jakob Forsbacka-Karlsson, Urho Vaakanainen, Jakub Zboril, Jakub Lauko (injured), Ryan Fitzgerald, and Trent Frederic. Further, while I don’t consider them “prospects” due to the number of NHL games they’ve played, Anders Björk and Ryan Donato also remain with the Boston roster.

Zboril and Vaakanainen will be sent to Providence before the regular season begins along with Zane McIntyre who will need to clear waivers. There is the possibility McIntyre will be claimed on his way to Providence, opening the door for Vladar to take the starting role. Veteran forwards on professional tryouts with Boston Lee Stempniak and Daniel Winnik may determine the fate of Peter Cehlarik and possibly Ryan Fitzgerald returning to Providence.

I wrote an article almost a year ago why Cehlarik was a good fit for the Bruins’ roster. The injury bug has been unkind to the Slovak winger, but lately he’s shaken that reputation while putting on an impressive preseason performance. Barring a terrible setback, I can see him remaining with the team into the regular season.

The battle for Boston’s 3C role is now up for grabs between Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson and Trent Frederic. However, there is a chance Boston redeploys veteran David Backes as a third line center, and signs either Winnink or Stempniak from their PTO to a veteran minimum contract to play on his wing. During practice line rushes this morning, Backes was anchoring Marchand and Pastrnak on his wings in the spot usually reserved for Patrice Bergeron suggesting a possible move to center for Backes. Depending on the health and availability of Bergeron, there is also talk Backes may be deployed as he was in practice, anchoring the 1st line. In this scenario, third line center is still open for grabs, and may be claimed by a rookie.

All this being said, Frederic and Forsbacka-Karlsson need to distinguish themselves to a greater extent in the final two games of preseason. Check out Colin Beswick on twitter for a breakdown of their shot attempts through the preseason (spoiler, not electrifying results.) Both are penciled in as middle-six centers and should be deployed with roughly the same time-on-ice unless they separate themselves from the rest of the roster in either a positive or negative way. Forsbacka Karlsson has more experience at the professional level as he skated with the Providence Bruins for the 2017-18 season. Frederic brings a higher offensive upside, and an NHL-ready frame.

Subjectively, they are evenly matched.

Simply put, Frederic and Forsbacka Karlsson will need an exciting final audition that leaves an impression on Bruins general manager Don Sweeney.

Tonight’s lines (Sept. 26th) should resemble their structure from morning skate:

Line 1: Marchand – Backes –Pastrnak

Line 2: Debrusk—JFK—Heinen

Line 3: Cehlarik—Frederic—Stempniak

Line 4: Winnik—Szwarz—Acciari

Defense 1: Moore—McAvoy

Defense 2: Krug—Carlo

Defense 3: Vaakanainen—Kampfer

Halak gets the start in net.