Craig Cunningham Assigned to Providence

Oct 9, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Boston Bruins left wing

(61) Detroit Red Wings right wing

(41) and center

(18) battle for the puck in the third period at Joe Louis Arena. Detroit won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

This afternoon the Bruins announced that they have sent forward Craig Cunningham back down to Providence after calling him up on November 30. He has spent some time alongside some of Boston’s greats, but has yet to break into an otherwise stacked Bruins offensive lineup. This season, Cunningham cracked the opening night roster, appearing in three games to start the Bruins season. He was unable to record any points during his time in Boston, but upped his NHL experience to 5 games total. Cunningham has managed to get 2 shots on net through the three contests.  Despite getting the call to make the trip with the team to Anaheim and LA, Cunningham was a healthy scratch in both games. Last season, he debuted against the Calgary Flames on December 17 and appeared in one other game for the Bruins.

It was assumed that if Cunningham saw some time among the Bruins line up, despite being the thirteenth forward, that he would be among the Bruins third or fourth line. While Claude has been known to make some drastic changes in the line up to get things going, these Western Conference games ranked a little more important on the scale to try and experiment with the lines too much more than they already are. Cunningham likely would have been a solid fit for the Bruins fourth line who is still struggling to find their way. Despite having some good shorthanded opportunities, Daniel Paille remains scoreless and Gregory Campbell hasn’t registered a goal since the Bruins took on the Toronto Maple Leafs in October at the Garden. While their progress is ‘coming along,’ the addition of Cunningham’s play-making skills and shot could have been a welcomed presence for the Merlot men.

Cunningham has appeared in 18 games this season for Providence and serves as the team’s captain this season. Through those 18 games he has managed to score four goals (tied for third on the team) and tally 9 assists for the baby B’s. Through 244 games in his AHL career with the Providence Bruins, totaling 74 goals and 68 assists.