The Boston Bruins announced seven roster cuts yesterday, trimming their deep roster from 34 players to 27, with four or five more cuts to come before they open up their 2011-12 season next Thursday at TD Garden against the Philadelphia Flyers.
The Bruins entered training camp this year with essentially the same roster as last year's team, save the retirement of Mark Recchi and the loss of both Michael Ryder and Tomas Kaberle. The B's prospects knew that there would be a lot of competition for a limited amount of roster spots. After a handful of preseason games, the Bruins had to make some moves.
On defense, they cut David Warsofsky, Colby Cohen and Zach McKelvie. The Bruins will most likely skate seven defensemen on opening night. Steve Kampfer and Matt Bartkowski are currently battling for that last spot. Bartowski actually made the team last season and was present for their trip to Prague. Kampfer stepped up last year and played in 46 games, showing great poise with the puck before missing the playoffs with an injury (apropos of nothing, he's the only real active Tweeter on the Bruins). Either Kampfer or Bartkowski will join Zdeno Chara, Johnny Boychuk, Andrew Ference, Adam MacQuaid and Dennis Seidenberg on the blue line.
The Bruins also cut a trio of forwards yesterday, including former first-round draft pick Zach Hamill, Trent Whitfield and Jamie Arniel. All three will be sent down to Providence. Max Suave and Lane MacDermid remain on the roster for now while Benoit Pouliot, Jordan Caron and veteran Chris Clark (a former captain of the Washington Capitals) will battle for a roster spot.
The Bruins will have a good chance to take a look at the remaining players in the next few days, as the B's will take on the Ottawa Senators tomorrow night (the only preseason game on NESN) and the Islanders on Saturday night in the preseason finale.
Follow @RyanBurns88
Tweet
No comments:
Post a Comment