Gregory Campbell Could Take the Ice as a Winger

Apr 12, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins center Gregory Campbell (11) waits for a face off against the Buffalo Sabres during the first period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Position Shift for Gregory Campbell?

Gregory Campbell has played the majority of his time in the NHL at center, but this season could be different, as Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli suggested a position switch for Campbell–from center to the wing.

This change would allow young, AHL steady centers, namely Alexander Khokhlachev and Ryan Spooner, to capture invaluable NHL time at a spot where they feel comfortable.

Spooner tallied 23 appearances last season, while Khokhlachev performed in only one professional match.

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However, both have displayed their hockey capabilities with the B’s AHL affiliate in Providence. Also, the Bruins’ thin free agent market activity stemming from their low salary cap will likely cause Chiarelli to call up promising youth more often than usual.

“When you move someone to the wing it’s the board work, and that’s what’s really tough,” Chiarelli said, via WEEI.com. ‘It’s almost like pick your poison a little bit with the young guys, but those two players both have really good sticks and they’re smart, so body position and timing, getting pucks out of the boards, that’s the trickiest part when you move from center to wing, and then standing start.”

The Bruins have placed multiple centers on the same line in years past, so having Campbell out wide isn’t very surprising. And to be honest, he should be able to handle himself well, especially grinding along the boards, a mode which he utilizes every time he steps onto the ice.