2016 NHL Trade Deadline: Boston Bruins Open Roster Space

2016 NHL Trade Deadline: Boston Bruins Open Roster Space

The Boston Bruins have some big decisions to make ahead of the 2016 NHL Trade Deadline, and they’re wasting no time in creating roster space for if, and when transactions take place.

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On Saturday, the Boston Bruins cleared two roster spots by placing center Maxime Talbot on waivers and assigning right winger Tyler Randell to the Providence Bruins of the AHL on a conditioning stint. Maxime Talbot cleared waivers on Sunday, but the Bruins appeared to be sending a message about their interest in bolstering their fourth line when they placed left winger Zac Rinaldo on waivers on Sunday as well.

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Zac Rinaldo is only 25 years old but he has already created a very infamous reputation for himself around the league. Although he’s played a relatively clean game so far this season with little-to-no controversy, Rinaldo has clearly been deemed expendable should another team claim him after the Bruins spent a third round pick to acquire him just eight months ago in June.

Rinaldo currently has one goal and two assists for three points in 51 games this season along with a minus-six plus/minus rating. Rinaldo has been a valuable energy forward for the Bruins so far this season, registering 151 hits on the season, good for second on the team behind only forward Matt Beleskey. Rinaldo’s 2.96 hits per game are also second on the team, but his 21.42 hits per 60 minutes pace the team by a long-shot with Tyler Randell a distant second with 12.78 hits per 60 minutes.

There are a number of players that the Boston Bruins could look to add to their roster, and Joe Haggerty of Comcast Sportsnet New England appears to think that Jamie McGinn of the Buffalo Sabres could be in play.

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Jamie McGinn is having a very solid year in Buffalo in their top six this season. With 14 goals and 13 assists for 27 points in 63 games, McGinn has shown that he can be a solid depth scorer should the Bruins look to add him to their roster. At six-foot-one and 205 pounds, the 27 year old left winger could be exactly what the Bruins need in terms of a big, gritty, and fearless net-front presence who isn’t afraid to go into the dirty areas of the ice to help his team.

The Boston Bruins are set to play against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday night and they currently have thirteen forwards on their roster, twelve of which were on the ice prior to Rinaldo being placed on waivers. The only omission from practice was Maxime Talbot, although he could dress for the game as he was still with the team following his waiver clearing..

Assuming the Bruins choose to play Loui Eriksson ahead of the trade deadline, the lines are likely to look as follows:

Brad Marchand – Patrice Bergeron – Brett Connolly

Loui Eriksson – David Krejci – David Pastrnak

Matt Beleskey – Ryan Spooner – Jimmy Hayes

Zac Rinaldo – Joonas Kemppainen – Landon Ferraro

Next: The Boston Bruins Aren't Distracted Ahead of The Deadline

The Boston Bruins will be busy in the 48 hours leading up to the NHL Trade Deadline, but that can’t stop them from playing their best hockey on the ice in a very important divisional match-up against the Lightning.

Follow Brandon Share-Cohen on Twitter @BShareCohen to discuss all things Bruins and sports