Boston Bruins Send Frank Vatrano To Providence After Emergency Call-Up
Boston Bruins Send Frank Vatrano To Providence After Emergency Call-Up Without Receiving Any Playing Time
The Boston Bruins have once again sent Massachusetts-native Frank Vatrano to the Providence Bruins of the AHL. The young, promising forward was recently recalled on an emergency basis due to David Krejci being questionable for the Bruins’ game against the San Jose Sharks due to an illness. David Krejci was evidently fine as he recorded two points including a goal against the Sharks. Despite Krejci’s impressive game, the Bruins still fell short of a win and lost their first game in regulation since the NHL trade deadline.
The Boston Bruins could certainly use Frank Vatrano in their lineup with Jimmy Hayes and Brett Connolly both falling victim to bad stretches of hockey each with Hayes scoring once in his last 17 games and Connolly scoring once in his last 12. It’s clear that Frank Vatrano has the offensive ability that the Bruins covet, but the fact that the Bruins have a fully healthy roster meant that they had to send Vatrano back to Providence with all of their players being deemed healthy.
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Frank Vatrano is having a phenomenal year in Providence and it’s quickly becoming more and more apparent that he is simply too good for the AHL. Frank Vatrano leads the AHL with 31 goals in just 31 games played, and he has also added three hat tricks, six multi-goal games and has assisted on 15 goals giving him 46 points total on the season. While Frank Vatrano is leading his team, and the league in so many categories, it seems like the young forward will have to wait for his next opportunity with the Boston Bruins to arise.
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Frank Vatrano made a great impression in his first game in the NHL, even as early as his first shift. In a perfect-scenario situation, Frank Vatrano made his debut with his hometown team, against their life-long rivals the Montreal Canadiens, and Vatrano didn’t disappoint. On his first shift, Vatrano recorded two shots on net, and eventually went on to score a goal, showing the Bruins and their fan base that Vatrano was indeed the real deal. As expected in his next 29 games, however, Vatrano had an up-and-down run, scoring five more goals — including a hat trick — and adding an assist for seven points in his 30 total games.
One thing that should leave fans of the Boston Bruins encouraged is Vatrano’s continued-persistence when shooting the puck. In 31 AHL games, Vatrano has recorded 161 shots which is good for over five shots taken per game on average. With those kind of numbers, Vatrano will undoubtedly make an impact when he eventually joins the NHL; the question is simply when that will happen.
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The Boston Bruins have a serious need for effective-right wing players in their lineup and Frank Vatrano looks like he can fit the bill perfectly when the time is right. Despite being only five-foot-nine and weighing 201 pounds, Vatrano is proving — like Brad Marchand and Torey Krug before him — that size doesn’t matter, it’s the effort that a player puts in that will dictate their success at the NHL level.