The numbers at Bruins training have been pared down greatly over the last few days, and the battles for the last few roster spots are becoming clearer.
It’s down to veteran netminder Jonas Gustavsson, who was back at practice on Sunday after leaving the team briefly for personal reasons, and rookie Jeremy Smith, for the backup goalie position behind Tuukka Rask.
Talented youngsters Malcolm Subban and Zane McIntyre were sent to Providence on Sunday.
Subban backstopped the Bruins to an overtime win in Saturday night’s victory over the Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena, and McIntyre had allowed one goal in his only appearance against the Washington Capitals.
Claude Julien said after Sunday’s practice that he was impressed with many players in the young lineup the Bruins brought with them to Detroit on Saturday.
“I thought they competed hard, and it was nice to see those guys. It was [Noel] Acciari’s first game he showed some grit and even penalty killed…And [Anton] Blidh just to name a few guys there. Even [Jake] DeBrusk, which I think is you know really smart- he protects the puck well in the offensive zone. We saw a lot of good things from those players. [Anthony] Camara…those guys they didn’t back down from anybody,” said Julien. “There was a hit in middle ice that, you know, was, in my mind was a clean hit. But because it was a bit on the blind side, right away Anthony Camara reacts. You like those kinds of things from the young players.
“Being engaged in the game the way they should be engaged. [There was] a lot of good to talk about last night. Tommy Cross is another one who has been so good in Providence, you know? He’s always been, I guess, questioned about his skating a little bit. We all know he’s had some knee issues at a younger age, but to me he handled himself real well. There were no issues with his skating, and the pace of the game last night. It’s good for him. He’s a real good…he’s a gamer, he’s a leader in Providence. He’s gained a lot of respect in a lot of points in our mind [to the point] where he’s still here, and he’s still battling for a spot.”
Boston Bruins
Along with the goalies cut from camp, Noel Acciari, Chris Breen, Anthony Camara, Brandon DeFazio, Justin Hickman and Ben Sexton were all sent down to Providence Bruins training camp, which was set to begin on Sunday.
Additionally, 2015 draft picks Jakub Zboril (Saint John Sea Dogs, QMJHL), Brandon Carlo (Tri-City Americans, WHL), and DeBrusk (Swift Current Broncos, WHL) were all returned to their junior teams after performing solidly in preseason action.
That leaves Blidh, Austin Czarnik, Brian Ferlin, Joonas Kemppainen, Alex Khokhlachev, Tyler Randell and Frank Vatrano still in camp along with the B’s forwards expected to win NHL jobs, and Linus Arnesson, Chris Casto, Cross, Colin Miller and Ben Youds still with the six currently healthy Bruins D-men expected to win NHL jobs out of camp.