Bruins Training Camp: Subban, three others cut as final roster takes shape

Sep 19, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins goalie Malcolm Subban (70) during the national anthem before a game against the Detroit Red Wings at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

The Bruins made additional cuts to their roster today, further fleshing out who will likely play for the AHL Providence Bruins, and who is going to get to wear the spoked ‘B’ come October.  Malcolm Subban, Justin Florek, Carter Camper and Zach Trotman were released from the NHL camp, and all four will report to the Providence Bruins training camp when it gets underway next week.

All four players will very likely end up on the Providence roster, and getting cut this late means these players (especially Trotman who was often paired with Bruins captain Zdeno Chara through the preseason) will get to wear the ‘B’ as needed if injuries hit the club this season.  With the latest round of cuts, this really narrows the field down for final candidates for Boston.

“I’m sure the players are feeling the same way as we get closer and closer to getting the roster to where we need to be.” said Claude Julien after the latest cuts from the roster. “We’ve got three games, and we’ve kept enough players to look at those players we need to evaluate for those spots. But at least we also have a good idea of what the other players can bring to us if call-up time comes during the year.”

There are several welcome surprises to the current roster. Forward Bobby Robins is still in the mix for a position. His grit and fire would be a welcome addition to the Bruins (especially if they decided to move Paille up to the third, and let Robins drink Merlot.) Massachusetts native David Warsofsky is still in the mix for a blueliner job.

The only position that seems pretty clear is goaltending, and it now comes down to whose going to be the back up for Tuukka Rask. My money is still on Svedberg, but Johnson has looked a lot better the last two days.

The Bruins decided to mix it up today. They had an inter-team scrimmage. (The last time I saw a Bruins on Bruins match up, I remember Bobby Robins and Adam McQuaid throwing down in the middle of it.) Claude Julien decided to mix things up, but keep it light. “I don’t know about you guys, but I’ve found that this camp has been pretty long,” said Julien. “You get to the point where you’ve worked on all the parts of your game you’ve worked on, and the best way to get better is to put yourself in game situations.

“So I thought today that a scrimmage would be good for that reason. I think guys are also probably getting a little tired right now, and a scrimmage is something that could give them a little more life.”

So, it was Team Chara vs. Team Bergeron. In the end the Bruins’ captain led his squad to victory 4-1. Niklas Svedberg was the winning goalie in that ‘match’. The team got to relax a little with some fifteen minute halves, and got to work on their battling and other skills. They’ll be using those skills tomorrow night when they take on the Washington Capitals at the TD Garden.