Caron/By S. Bradley
The Bruins used their off day today to trim their roster down to 29 men.
Boston confirmed the TSN.ca report that Zach Hamill and Trent Whitfield have been waived for the purpose of assigning them to the Providence (AHL) farm club and also assigned Jamie Arniel, Colby Cohen, David Warsofsky, Zack McKelvie and Michael Hutchinson to the P-Bruins.
That leaves Steven Kampfer and Matt Bartkowski to battle for the seventh defensemen spot, while Max Sauve, Jordan Caron and Chris Clark are vying for the 13th forward position.
In my post at CBSBoston.com today, I break down the Caron-Clark battle. I neglected to include Sauve in the discussion, but his ability to get this far into camp proves he has a chance to make the club. Nonetheless I would be more likely to send him to Providence to play top-six minutes until there’s a lineup opening. The 13th forward probably won’t be in the lineup to start the season, as Boston’s most likely to go with the 11 returning forwards plus newcomer Benoit Pouliot.
You really have to be impressed with Caron, who made the cut last season and skated in 20 of the Bruins’ first 25 games before he was assigned to Providence. He’s come back even stronger and with a little more savvy. In a conversation with TheBruinsBlog.net last week, Caron explained why this year he’s different than last season.
“I think I’m in better shape than I was last year. And I’m much more mature than I was last year, too. So I just want to play every game and be consistent,” he said.
Tom,
I think Chia signed him to compete for the roster spot, and will probably give him the chance to succeed during the regular season because there is definitely potential. I think that’s what he was thinking as well. Also remember, there was a good 1 maybe 2 roster spots up for grabs, and you really don’t wanna slot your rookies in there. You have to remember, Pouloit is making $1m and was free to acquire in addition to being on a one year deal. If he doesn’t work out, the Bruins will probably be yelling, “don’t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out!” If he works out, great. If not, we still have the players this season who have earned a callup.
Why is it a given that Pouliot is on the team. If Caron, Clark, Suave have had better camps, then they deserve to play. Why do Chiarelli and Julien think they can change Pouliot? He is what he is – a bust. This is not Michael Ryder. Ryder had scored 30 twice. Pouliot has done nothing. Chiarelli had much bettr options in free agency. Disappointing.
Pouliot looked average at best in the 2 games he played. No question to me that Caron, Sauvé & Clark all outplayed him up to now. Caron must start in Boston & Clark will be signed because he’s the experienced versatile forward the Bruins need as 5th wheel (Pouliot doesn’t have that experience & versatility). Sauvé would deserve a chance based on his play but will fall short because of the lack of spots available. So if jobs are really earned in training camps as they should be, Pouliot has to be on the outside looking for now with 2 pre-season games left.
Matt K,
That was a good article on CBS Boston.
Regarding Pouliot, I agree with Paul and Bruins16 thoughts.
Julien does lean toward “experienced players” over younger guys so Pouliot and Clark do have some advantage on Caron and Sauve. I guess time and performance,e.g. Marchand will tell who’s playing where.
Paul, great comment. You certainly covered all the bases.
The one game I got to see, Pouliot looked all right. I think he’s a slow starter, but the Bruins like him.
MK
Matt
Read your article and I thought it was a good analysis of the battle. How good of a camp has Pouliot had? I have only watched one game, that he participated in, and did not have the jump that Caron showed last night in Montreal. Thanks.
If Caron and Sauve have outplayed Pouliot, bite the bullet and keep the best guys!
Thanks for the mention in the article Matt!
can’t they keep 3 total extra players (ex. 2 forwards and a defenseman), or are they too tight against the cap? Would hate to see Caron at least not get to start the season like last year, or like Krejci a few years ago. Paille has shown he is capable of being a team player and still contributing in his own way when getting in the lineup. And if Clark is the leader he is billed as, he would be able to sit out too… as could Thorton from time to time to get clark and Paille in the lineup. And has pouliot played his way onto the team, or is it another one of Chiarelli’s let’s not waive someone we gave a contract to situations. I only ask because I haven’t seen too much hype about him like the other guys.
Either way, someone will play their way in the lineup, off the team, traded, or some combo of that. I am defintiely a big fan of letting the younger players play, whether its in providence or the nhl, much better than sitting out. Similar note: dont think it would do any of those bottom 3 defensemen (#’s 6-8 Mcquaid, kampfer, bartowski) to be sitting out games, even at the nhl level, and i dont see julien sitting ference, corvo, boychuk, etc to play them. I see the value in competition, but fine line between that and developing your players. I guess being able to make the tough decisions is what makes managements job so hard and with so much turnover throughout the NHL (and other pro sports too).
Hey Matt, great job as usual. Any thoughts on lines and d pair?