Boston Bruins Activate David Krejci
The Boston Bruins have struggled to get any secondary scoring this season, but that may change with the return of David Krejci. The veteran center has been activated off of injured reserve and is expected to play tonight against the San Jose Sharks.
Krejci, 33, was injured early in an October 14th game against the Anaheim Ducks and has just one point on the season so far, but was a huge part of the team’s attack a year ago. While the top line of Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak and Patrice Bergeron has been good enough to carry the team to an incredible 8-1-2 record—54 points combined in 11 games will do that—the rest of the Bruins lineup has been largely absent from the scoreboard. In fact, no forward other forward has more than four points on the season, something that Krejci will try to change quickly.
After a disappointing 2017-18 campaign, Krejci rebounded with 73 points last season including a team-leading 43 even-strength assists. Perhaps his return to the second line will get Jake Debrusk (one goal, three assists) and Danton Heinen (two goals, one assist) back on the right track.
If he does jumpstart the second line, opponent’s will have to be even more frightened of a Bruins team that looks borderline unstoppable right now. That top line seems to be scoring at will, while Tuukka Rask and Jaroslav Halak have combined for a .936 save percentage.
Atlantic Notes: Bruins Trade Options, Krug, Dermott
The Boston Bruins are right near the top of the Atlantic Division with a 7-1-2 record, good enough for second place. However, with injuries rising and a lack of production beyond the top line of Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak, who have combined for 41 points, no forward has more than three points this season, leaving quite a few question marks when a team finds a way to shut down the Bruins’ first line.
Throw in the recent injuries to the team and NBC Sports’ Joe Haggerty looks at numerous trade possibilities that general manager Don Sweeney might be looking at. Many of the trade possibilities suggested might be a challenge for Boston to pull off, especially the likely high price tag of New Jersey’s Taylor Hall and Vegas’ Alex Tuch.
However, he does point out that the team has options with common trade partners like Minnesota (Jason Zucker) or the New York Rangers (Chris Kreider), although Kreider would be only seen as a rental despite his Boston background. The team could also look to rent Mike Hoffman from the Florida Panthers as well.
However, even Haggerty points out that the team might look to bring in their own prospects. The play of Anders Bjork could be the team’s first option. The 23-year-old scored a goal Saturday night, suggesting he could be an answer to some of the team’s secondary scoring woes, although he must show consistency, something the team has struggled with this season.
- With the impending returns of defensemen Kevan Miller and John Moore, both currently on injured reserve, Boston Hockey Now’s Jimmy Murphy writes that the Boston Bruins will then have nine defensemen on their NHL roster and the team will likely either have to make a trade or send a player to the AHL. While Moore’s return is more uncertain, Miller could be back by early November. Connor Clifton would be a candidate to send to the NHL, but could require waivers by early November, which might be something that Boston would want to avoid. A trade could make quite a bit of sense, but is the team ready to move Torey Krug? The team could use some offense, so moving Krug to a team like Winnipeg who needs a top-four blueliner might makes some sense. Krug is one of the few players faring well in Boston as the defenseman has eight points in 10 games so far this year.
- The Athletic’s Jonas Siegel reports that Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Travis Dermott is likely to return to the lineup on Tuesday against Washinton. Dermott has been out all season due to offseason shoulder surgery. That could start a chain reaction of roster moves from Toronto, who also has Zach Hyman close to returning from LTIR. Once both are back, the Maple Leafs could be forced to make as many as four roster moves to get both players back on the roster.
Lineup Notes: Boston, Buffalo, Big Names Scratched
Fresh off a decisive win over the St. Louis Blues on Saturday, the Boston Bruins’ forward lines will look a little different when they face the New York Rangers tonight. The team has announced that bottom-six forwards Chris Wagner and Joakim Nordstrom will both miss the game due to injury. However, the release does not make it sound as if either player is at risk of missing significant time, especially since both played the entire game last night with normal ice time. Wagner is listed as being out as a result of a shot block against the Blues, although no actual injury is listed and the aggressive winger may just need the night off for soreness. Nordstrom has been in and out of the lineup frequently in the young season, dealing with an undisclosed upper-body injury. Today’s news adds even more mystery to his condition, as the Bruins state he is dealing with an “infection issue”. With these two absences coming on top of the injuries to David Krejci and Karson Kuhlman – Kuhlman is expected to join Krejci on IR to create roster space – Boston is shorthanded up front and added that they will recall Peter Cehlarik from AHL Providence. Cehlarik, who played in 20 NHL games last season, leads Providence with six goals and eight points in eight games. The Bruins hope that he can provide the same offensive spark that Anders Bjork has since he was recalled. Tonight should also mark the return to action of David Backes, who has played in five games so far this season and has been held without a point.
- The Buffalo Sabres have gotten off to a hot start this season and their lineup has been almost identical night in and night out. That is about to change. The team has issued an injury report that includes two new additions in Marco Scandella and Jimmy Vesey. The pair both missed Buffalo’s last game, with Scandella suffering from a lower-body injury and Vesey an upper-body injury. Although the specific injuries are not expanded upon in this new report, Scandella is listed as being out two to three weeks, while Vesey is considered week-to-week. It is a blow to the chemistry and consistency that the Sabres have enjoyed so far this season, especially on the back end where they lose their veteran defensive leader. However, in more positive news, defenseman Brandon Montour has been upgraded to day-to-day and a return to the lineup could be imminent. Montour began the year on the injured reserve with a hand injury, but is nearing his season debut and will provide a major boost for Buffalo.
- At this point in their respective careers, both Brent Seabrook and Bobby Ryan are known more for their notorious contracts than for their performance. Yet, both are fixtures in their respective lineups. However, reports out of both Chicago and Ottawa state that Seabrook and Ryan will each be a healthy scratch tonight. It is only the second career scratch for both players in their careers and the first under their current head coaches. Per the Ottawa Sun’s Bruce Garrioch, Senators head coach D.J. Smith revealed that Ryan would be a scratch, after recording just three points through the team’s first ten games. Ryan, who is in the fifth year of a seven-year, $50.75MM contract, had been relegated to a fourth line role based on his production, but Smith reportedly does not feel he is a good fit as an energy forward. The team has recalled Filip Chlapik to take his place in the lineup and there is no indication of when Ryan may return. Ryan has not cracked 50 points in any of the past three seasons and has three seasons remaining at a $7.25MM cap hit. As for Seabrook, his contract is arguably even worse. The 34-year-old defenseman still has five years remaining on an eight-year, $55MM contract that carries a $6.875MM cap it. Seabrook’s game has fallen off in both the offensive and defensive departments over the past two years and things are only getting worse. The veteran rearguard has just one point in nine games and a -5 rating, on pace for a career worst in both categories. According to The Athletic’s Scott Powers, Blackhawks head coach Jeremy Colliton will sit Seabrook in favor of untested rookie Dennis Gilbert. Colliton also indicated that Seabrook did not take his benching well. It could be the beginning of an even uglier situation in Chicago. Powers’ colleague Mark Lazerus points out that with Seabrook scratched alongside Zack Smith, the Blackhawks will have over $10MM in salary – approximately 12.4% of the salary cap ceiling – watching from the press box tonight.
Atlantic Notes: Mete, Trocheck, Krejci, Miller
The Montreal Canadiens don’t have a lot on their plate this offseason when it comes to their own free agents. However, that isn’t stopping the franchise from trying to sign defenseman Victor Mete, who is playing in the final year of his entry-level contract. TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reports that the Canadiens have already begun negotiations with the 21-year-old.
Mete surprised a few people several years ago when he made the roster out of training camp at 19 years old and his fast skating and defensive-first abilities might complement veteran Shea Weber. However, Weber got injured and Mete struggled, playing 49 games, but was often scratched due to the fact that he wasn’t ready. He settled in last season, playing 71 games and has been a solid defensive presence since then. Mete finally scored his first NHL goal last week after going scoreless in 126 straight games.
The Canadiens’ only other significant off-season contract that it will need to deal with other than Mete’s will be that of Max Domi, who will also be a restricted free agent next summer.
- NHL.com’s Jameson Olive reports that Florida Panthers forward Vincent Trocheck, who hasn’t played since Oct. 19 with an lower-body injury, was practicing with the team today in a yellow non-contact jersey. Trocheck who has a foot/ankle injury is travelling with the team and is listed as day-to-day. After a down season last year while dealing with a broken ankle, the team needs Trocheck to put up a big season. The 26-year-old has a goal and five assists in eight games.
- NBC Sports’ Joe Haggerty writes that Boston Bruins center David Krejci, who is out with an upper-body injury, is expected to miss both games this weekend. However, the scribe adds that Krejci is close and should be able to return at some point next week with a likely date of Tuesday against the San Jose Sharks, although head coach Bruce Cassidy said a decision on that won’t be made until Monday. Haggerty also writes that defenseman Kevan Miller should be ready to practice at some point next week. Miller has been out with a fractured kneecap.
Minor Transactions: 10/25/19
There may have been ten games on the schedule last night, but it was hard to focus on anyone but Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl who put on a show against the Washington Capitals. The Oilers’ superstars each played more than 26 minutes—leading all players in the game—and carried the weight of the entire team to a win. With six games coming up tonight, we’ll keep track of all the minor moves right here.
- The Boston Bruins have recalled Anders Bjork again today, ahead of their Saturday night matchup against the St. Louis Blues. Bjork was given his first NHL opportunity of the season against the Toronto Maple Leafs earlier this week.
- Givani Smith has been recalled by the Detroit Red Wings after serving his one-game suspension in the AHL. The physical forward has four points in four games for the Grand Rapids Griffins, and was impressive in the preseason with Detroit.
- With Marco Scandella suffering an injury last night for the Buffalo Sabres, the team has recalled Will Borgen today to give them another option. The Sabres are back in action right away against the Red Wings, meaning if Scandella can’t go either Borgen or John Gilmour should be expected to enter the lineup.
Karson Kuhlman To Miss At Least One Month
- Bruins winger Karson Kuhlman will miss at least a month due to a hairline nondisplaced fracture of his right tibia sustained over the weekend, the team announced. He will be re-evaluated at that time so in all likelihood, he’ll be out even longer. The timeline means that Boston is eligible to place him on LTIR to give them a bit more recall flexibility with blueliner John Moore also presently on there.
Minor Transactions: 10/23/19
It’s a quiet night in the NHL with just two games on the schedule, meaning all eyes will be on the four teams taking the ice. While the Ottawa Senators and Detroit Red Wings kick things off, the focus will largely be on Sidney Crosby‘s Pittsburgh Penguins trying to take down the Tampa Bay Lightning. As teams prepare for that action, we’ll be right here keeping track of all the minor moves.
- The Vegas Golden Knights have assigned Nicolas Hague back to the minor leagues, ending his run in the NHL for now. The 20-year old defenseman has two assists in seven games with the Golden Knights so far, but played just over 13 minutes against the Senators last week and then was a healthy scratch the past three contests.
- The Vancouver Canucks have sent Ashton Sautner back to the minor leagues, after he failed to get into a single game with the team. Sautner has 22 NHL contests under his belt, but is still just a depth option for the Canucks at this point.
- After Devan Dubnyk suffered a minor injury, the Minnesota Wild have recalled Kaapo Kahkonen from the minor leagues. Kahkonen is expected to back up Alex Stalock tomorrow night according to Michael Russo of The Athletic. To make room, the team has moved Kevin Fiala to injured reserve while he deals with his lower-body injury.
- So much for Anders Bjork‘s NHL stint, at least for now. The Boston Bruins have sent Bjork back to the minor leagues today after making his debut for the team last night. The Bruins don’t play again until Saturday, meaning they can bank some cap space.
Boston Bruins Place Krejci On Injured Reserve, Recall Bjork
The Boston Bruins have made a roster move as they prepare for action tonight against the Toronto Maple Leafs. David Krejci has been placed on injured reserve, while young forward Anders Bjork has been recalled and is taking the morning skate with the team. Krejci hasn’t played since October 14th when he suffered an upper-body injury against the Anaheim Ducks.
The Bruins lost in overtime to the Maple Leafs on Saturday night without Krejci, but will get a chance for their revenge tonight on home ice. The 33-year old’s presence is sorely missed however on the team’s second line, as Boston has received almost zero secondary scoring to date this year. In fact, outside of the top line of David Pastrnak, Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand, not a single Bruins player has more than two points this season and only four other forwards have scored a goal at all.
Krejci enjoyed an incredible bounce-back season in 2018-19 when he recorded 73 points in 81 games and needs to get back on the ice for the Bruins as soon as possible. Without him (and Karson Kuhlman, who also missed practice and is unlikely to play), Bjork will get another chance to show what he can do at the NHL level. He skated alongside Sean Kuraly and Chris Wagner, a great opportunity for him to provide some jump and energy in his first game of the season.
Bjork, 23, had huge expectations coming out of Notre Dame in 2017 but hasn’t quite lived up to them to this point. In just 50 games at the NHL level he has 15 points, but his career so far has been marred by scratches both healthy and injured. In seven games for the Providence Bruins this season he has eight points, signaling that he may be ready to take that next step and be a force at the highest level.
Snapshots: Three Stars, Spooner, Okulov
The NHL has released their Three Stars for last week, and Boston Bruins fans will be happy to know that David Pastrnak‘s performance was not overlooked. The young forward took home the top spot after scoring seven goals in three games including a four-goal performance against the Anaheim Ducks. Pastrnak is now tied with James Neal for the league lead in goals with nine.
Not to be forgotten however are John Carlson and Carter Hutton that took home second and third respectively. Carlson continues to lead the NHL in scoring with 18 points (including eight last week) and has been an absolute force for the Washington Capitals early. Hutton meanwhile stopped all 72 shots he faces last week including 47 in a single game to shutout the Los Angeles Kings. If the Buffalo Sabres netminder can continue to provide this kind of performance, the team may well have a chance to fight for that divisional playoff spot that they’ve coveted for so long.
- Ryan Spooner has changed teams again, but that doesn’t mean he’s coming back to North America. The former NHL forward will join Dynamo Minsk in the KHL for the rest of the season, leaving HC Lugano of the Swiss NLA. Spooner is still just 27, but spent time with three different NHL organizations last season and can’t seem to find a home anywhere.
- Following up on the recent report linking the Toronto Maple Leafs to Konstantin Okulov, Igor Eronko of Sport-Express confirms that the Russian forward has indeed spoken to Mike Babcock already. Okulov has 13 points through his first 17 games in the KHL this season and is a potential target for teams looking to add international talent next summer.
Evening Notes: Turris, Bruins’ Forwards, Gaudette
Despite rumors earlier in the week that the Nashville Predators would be willing to move center Kyle Turris in a trade, but his contract (five years at $6MM AAV) will be a major stumbling block for the team, writes the Hockey News’ Lyle Richardson.
After an impressive performance at the World Championships, the Predators were hoping that Turris would have a bounce-back season after a seven-goal, 23-point performance last year. Unfortunately, when Nashville added center Matt Duchene in free agency, it moved all the centers down in the order with Nick Bonino taking the No. 3 center role and Turris sliding down to the fourth line.
The only positive point is that Turris is faring well this season despite the limited minutes as he has two goals and five points in seven games, which could make him a tradeable commodity, assuming Nashville might be willing to retain some salary.
- NBC Sports’ Joe Haggerty writes that the Boston Bruins need to be aggressive with their struggles beyond the first line. Boston top line of Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak have been terrific. However, no forward outside of fourth-liner Sean Kuraly have more than one point so far this season. While head coach Bruce Cassidy said he will rely on his players to find their games, the scribe writes that it might be time to trade for some cheap top-six options, including Edmonton’s Jesse Puljujarvi and New York Islanders’ Joshua Ho-Sang with the idea of buying low and letting them develop in top roles.
- The Province’s Ben Kuzma writes that the Vancouver Canucks might need to make a decision on what they intend to do with center Adam Gaudette. The 23-year-old impressed head coach Travis Green in training camp, which earned him a spot on the team. However, after only appearing in three games so far this season, the scribe wonders whether the team might have to decide on a what role to give to the young center. The team could move him permanently to the third line and slide Brandon Sutter to the wing, or maybe it would be better off giving him top-line minutes with the Utica Comets of the AHL.