Oct 8, 2011; Uniondale, NY, USA; Florida Panthers goalie Jose Theodore (60) drops down as defenseman Brian Campbell (left) and New York Islanders right wing Jay Pandolfo (29) wait for the deflection during the third period at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
During the 2012-13 Training Camp, the Bruins signed Jay Pandolfo to a PTO (Professional Tryout Contract). Pandolfo is still under his PTO with the Bruins and traveled with the team to Buffalo for practice before the game Sunday. The question that is hanging in my mind is, will the Bruins do anything with Pandolfo?
I said before in an article about Jay that he played under Claude Julien before as a member of the New Jersey Devils and his defensive play almost won him a Frank J. Selke trophy in 2006-07. Pandolfo plays very much like former Bruin PJ Axelsson and having another defensive minded winger in the system would not be bad for the Bruins. While the penalty kill has been tremendous for the Bruins as of late, shorthanded production could be improved.
Pandolfo could be a press-box warmer if the Bruins do sign him and could easily be slotted in on the third or fourth line incase of injury. The Providence line that played against Montreal looked strong, but having a veteran winger to replace a man down would be a much better fit for Boston.
Pandolfo is still skating with the B’s (which is obviously a good sign) and I do think Claude Julien really wants him signed. Couple that with Tim Thomas being traded to the Islanders and opening up 5 Million in salary (which many people are think is opening up space for Jarome Iginla), Pandolfo might be suiting up for the Bruins before the season is over.