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Boston Bruins Assign Austin Czarnik and Joe Morrow to AHL for Conditioning

By Brandon Share-Cohen

Dec 8, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins center Austin Czarnik (27) clears the puck away from Colorado Avalanche center Carl Soderberg (34) with goalie Anton Khudobin (35) in net during the second period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 8, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins center Austin Czarnik (27) clears the puck away from Colorado Avalanche center Carl Soderberg (34) with goalie Anton Khudobin (35) in net during the second period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /
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Boston Bruins Assign Austin Czarnik and Joe Morrow to AHL for Conditioning

The Boston Bruins made some transactions Thursday ahead of their matchup with the Los Angeles Kings. Austin Czarnik was activated from the injured reserve and sent to Providence along with defenseman Joe Morrow, both for conditioning purposes.

Czarnik was placed on the injured reserve on Feb. 7 due to a lower-body injury. The center will now get a chance to return to a Providence team that he excelled on last season, posting 20 goals and 61 points with a plus-17 rating in 68 games last season. While the assignment may be temporary, it will do Czarnik well to get some regular minutes to return to full health before rejoining the Bruins in Boston.

Related Story: Austin Czarnik's Injury led to Peter Cehlarik's Recall

The 24-year-old has scored five goals and 13 points in 47 games in Boston this season with a minus-10 rating. In Providence, Czarnik has played in two games, notching a goal and three points with a minus-five rating this season. At 5-foot-9 and 167 pounds, Czarnik is clearly an undersized player. It’s his creativity with the puck and impressive work ethic that have gotten him to this point in his career. He’s already displayed that he can play in the NHL. Though his rookie season has had its ups and downs, Czarnik should figure into the Bruins long-term plans at forward.

Joe Morrow Still Looking to Find Consistent Playing Time

Joe Morrow has played in 17 games with Boston this season. He’s recorded one assist in those games but hasn’t played regularly in the lineup all season. In 65 NHL games, Morrow has compiled two goals and nine points. He’s also skated in 155 AHL games in his career, recording 14 goals and 60 points split between the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, Texas Stars and Providence Bruins.

Morrow has been in and out of the lineup for much of his Bruins career since being acquired in the Tyler Seguin deal. Despite his talent and potential, the Bruins have simply never given Morrow a consistent chance to play. Last season, prior to acquiring John-Michael Liles and the trade deadline, Morrow played arguably the best hockey of his career. Still, the experience factor played a role as the Bruins made a push for the playoffs that ultimately proved unsuccessful.

Next: Bruce Cassidy Using Players Correctly

The Bruins are set to close out their California trip Thursday when they take on the Los Angeles Kings. The Bruins beat the Sharks on Monday before dropping their first game under head coach Bruce Cassidy on Wednesday to the Anaheim Ducks. It will be interesting to see how the team responds to their first loss – especially given how close the playoff race is right now.

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