Feb 8, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Ottawa Senators left wing
Colin Greening(14) tries to skate past the check of Boston Bruins defenseman
David Warsofsky(79) during the second period at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
The Boston Bruins still have a few hurdles to clear before they start the 2014-15 season. While the salary cap is the biggest dragon for the Black and Gold to slay, they’ve got some tough choices to make for their final roster. There are a lot of young players (and a couple of veterans) jockeying for very few roster slots.
While the race for a forwards job will be hard enough, it’s even tougher on the defensemen. The Bruins admit to having nine NHL ready players, and Bruins general manager knows he’ll have to trade someone away before opening night(Chiarelli has stated while he ‘could’ start opening night with eight blueliners, it wouldn’t be an “ideal” situation for them.).
More from Bruins News
- Bruins release Prospects Challenge roster, schedule Tuesday
- Bruins bringing back familiar forward on tryout contract
- The Bruins should take a look at these four free agents
- NHL Network lists Ullmark as sixth-best goalie in the league
- The Lasting Legacy of David Krejci
David Warsofsky is one of the players fighting to earn a place on the roster. He’s got his first taste of NHL action last season with the Boston. He got called up twice while the Black and Gold were dealing with injuries to Adam McQuaid and Dennis Seidenberg. In the six games he played for the big club, he put up two points (one goal) for the team and had a plus/minus of +1. While Krug and Warsofsky’s skill sets are similar, Krug is flashier on the attack and Warsofsky is more tenacious on the blue line.
“Obviously the situation with Torey will get resolved at one point or another. We’re the same type of players, but right now I’m just focused on myself and the situation will take care of itself. Like everyone, I’m on social media and see things, but the more I can not pay attention to it . I just need to go out and practice the way I know I can play, and prove myself in the games.” David Warsofsky
Warsofsky knows this is a golden opportunity to grab the sixth or seventh spot on Boston’s blue line. Torey Krug has chosen to skip the opening of training camp, and the former BU Terrier has made the most of Krug’s absence. Warsofsky was one of the players that made a solid impression in his first days of training camp.
Puck Prose
Warsofsky and Krug share an aggressive mindset. They’re both defensemen who are very comfortable engaging in the offensive zone. He had a lot of success in puck possession during drills. He showed a lot of dexterity on the forecheck and was able to make breakouts occur, even on the defensive blue line. He’s certainly impressed people that watched at Ristuccia, and likely those in the Bruins front office as well.
In the past, I suggested that Warsofsky stay in Providence for another season just to help alleviate Boston’s troubles. (Warsofsky still has a two-way contract with the Bruins.) If he can maintain this level of play at today’s scrimmage and the rest of the pre-season he may have earned a ‘B’ sweater outright. The next two weeks will be very important to see if the kid from Marshfield can win a job with his hometown NHL team.