February 21, 2013; Tampa FL, USA; Boston Bruins left wing
Chris Bourque(48) skates with the puck during the third period against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Tampa Times Forum. The Bruins won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
“We’ve got a lot of guys now that need to be better for us, and that’s something we can all see,” head coach Claude Julien said. “Kelly was on the ice for three goals, one of which was that face-off play when he’s out there with Bergeron. But somehow if you’re not going to produce you need to be able to at least keep the puck out of your own net. Right now we’re not getting either from that line, so it’s a concern that we need to look at.”
Claude Julien’s second fiery talk in as many games told us something was coming. A line change that would be more permanent in nature. Julien breaking out the healthy scratch tool to get people in line. Perhaps sending someone down to Providence to motivate the rest of the squad. Well, today the Boston Bruins proved to us they weren’t just blowing smoke. They placed #48, Chris Bourque on waivers.
For those who don’t know, Chris is the son of Bruins great Raymond Bourque. The Bruins snagged Chris Bourque away the Washington Capitals in a trade for Zach Hamill. Due to the lockout, the Bruins (like all the other teams) had an abbreviated training camp. Bourque was not expected to make the roster. He surprised a lot of people(myself among them) by making the team. He was placed on the third line, with Chris Kelly and Rich Peverley. His speed gave the line versatility, and they were hoping that mix would work. He ended up playing eighteen games for the big Bruins. His overall score sheet was a little disappointing though. (One goal, four points and six penalty minutes, -6 +/- rating.)
Bourque was taken thirty third overall in the 2004 NHL Draft by Washington. Coming into this season, he had thirty three previous NHL games under his belt. (Twenty for the Pittsburg Penguins, and thirteen for the Washington Capitals.) Bourque is up for grabs for any NHL team at the moment, and with the injury fest that is occurring in the NHL, it is quite possible for Bourque to get a job anywhere. It is more likely that the once he clears waivers, he will be sent down to the AHL Bruins’ affiliate, the Providence Bruins.
So, now what? Best guess is that Jay Pandolfo, another recent accquisition with an odd NHL history will be put on the third line with Kelly and Peverley. It’s a bloody shame really. We wanted it to work. There was a part of us that was already putting #48 on the rafters in fifteen years or so. It’s not that he was a terrible player. Boston needed to make a change, and they went with what would give them production. We’re 14-3-3, and I hope this change is a good one for us and the team.