Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Former Boston Bruins left winger Daniel Paille has agreed to participate in the Chicago Black Hawks training camp on a professional tryout. Paille was a member of the now-defunct merlot-line in Boston, otherwise known as the fourth line that was made up of Paille, Gregory Campbell, and Shawn Thornton. Unfortunately, inconsistent play led to Paille being a healthy scratch for the final nine games of his Bruins career, but that hasn’t seemed to lead to any bad feelings between him and his former club.
Daniel Paille agrees to PTO with the Chicago Blackhawks.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) September 14, 2015
Puck Prose
Daniel Paille has taken the ice at the Bruins captain practices recently, skating in an NHLPA jersey, rather than his usual Bruins jersey. It isn’t surprising that the Bruins didn’t offer Paille a new contract following the 2014-15 season, after Paille was able to score only six goals (while also dealing with a 36 game goal drough) and seven assists. Paille was a very effective fourth line player in Boston, and with Campbell and Thornton, energy was generated for the Bruins every single time that line stepped onto the ice. It certainly feels weird seeing Paille without a Bruins jersey, and it must feel even weirder for him skating alongside his teammates of six seasons in an NHLPA jersey.
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Paille did make comments following the 2014-15 season after he was informed that he would not be re-signed with the Bruins, and he didn’t make excuses for himself. “I think a lot of it is chemistry and we just didn’t build off too much chemistry,” Paille said. “I think we rotated a number of guys and at the end of the day you want to try to play the same certain style, but you have to continue producing some way. If it’s not scoring, it’s another way.” He also went on to say,“But normally, as a line, we succeed with obstacles that are surrounding us. Unfortunately this year they got the better of us. It’s definitely a huge hit to take at this point, but at the same time, you’ve got to enjoy the good times too.”
The Chicago Blackhawks are in need of cheap depth forwards after their turnover of players following their Stanley Cup victory. Daniel Paille could be a very good signing for any team as a 4th liner or 13th forward, and it’s nice to see a team giving him a chance to prove that.
Follow Brandon Share-Cohen on Twitter @FansidedBrandon to discuss all things Bruins and sports