Sep 26, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals right wing
Troy Brouwer(20) celebrates after scoring the game winning goal as Boston Bruins defenseman
Zach Trotman(62) reacts in overtime at Verizon Center. The Capitals won 5-4 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports
The Boston Bruins have gone 2-1-1 in their first four preseason games. The organization will need to cut down its roster in preparation for opening night in eleven days. While there are many quality players who could earn a spot on the roster, the Bruins ongoing salary cap problems mean certain players will have to be sent down to Providence or let loose altogether.
It’s difficult to fight your way on the roster, and with the Bruins a player would have to profoundly impress Claude Julien and Peter Chiarelli to get a contract. For some players, its a matter of too little money or two many quality players. Below are a list of players who will likely not be here after this weekend.
Chris Breen – Breen is a 6’7″, 224lb player who has spent the last five years in the AHL as part of the Calgary Flames organization. He signed as a free agent by the Providence Bruins on July 1st of this year. Last season, he got his first taste of NHL action by playing nine games for Calgary.
Breen will likely be sent down to Providence after this weekend. The Bruins have too many defensemen, and Breen’s just too deep in the mix. He did have his best game against the Red Wings though. He put up two hits, five blocked shots, and saw 3:34 time on the penalty kill.
Bracken Kearns – Kearns just never had a chance to shine in his tryout with the Bruins. Kearns was adequate in the Bruins 2-0 win over Washington at the TD Garden. He was 56% in the faceoff circle, with one shot on goal. He spent 1:47 on the penalty kill, and had 13:20 on ice time. Kearns is a free agent, and might get picked up later in the season.
Zach Trotman – Trotman is in the same boat as Breen. The organization has too many skilled defensemen, and Trotman isn’t high enough on the roster. He did have a good training camp for Boston though. In his two games, Trotman spent over five minutes on the power play (5:21), some time on the penalty kill (1:46) and nearly forty minutes on the ice (39:27).
Trotman will head back to Providence, and if the Bruins have another injury prone season, will be called back to the NHL. Trotman did play twice in Boston last season.
Simon Gagne – Gagne was probably the biggest long shot at the Bruins training camp. Gagne did not play for over a year and a half. The Bruins gave him a shot. While Gagne is improving, there is too much rust for him to shake off. Gagne isn’t quite ready to get back to playing at the NHL level.
Gagne has played in three preseason games for the Bruins and been given chances in every department. He was tested on both the power play and the penalty kill. He had one goal, one assist, five shots, one blocked shot, two takeaways, and four minutes in penalties.