Boston Bruins: John Moore returning puts a cat among the pigeons

John Moore nears a return to the Boston Bruins’ healthy roster.

While it’s always a treat welcoming back an injured player; on the defense, this return generates more questions than it answers right now. Shortly, the Boston Bruins will welcome John Moore back to their healthy roster.

While it’s positive news, it also muddies the Boston Bruins’ roster situation.

On Sunday, John Moore played his first game after almost six months against the Charlotte Checkers at the AHL with the Providence Bruins during his conditioning stint. He had an assist as the P-Bruins won 4-0 on the road.

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Maybe a few more games and John Moore’s shoulder might be fully ready for a comeback and the 29-year-old defenseman ready to play again in the NHL. But where would he fit with the Boston Bruins in the NHL?

John Moore signed his $2.75 million-per-year contract in 2018 for five seasons. It’ll expire in 2023. On the left side of the Bruins’ defense, a stable hierarchy functions.

Zdeno Chara leads the way as the captain, Torey Krug is the Bruins’ offensive power while Matt Grzelcyk has done nothing wrong to be healthy scratched.

Last season at times, the Boston Bruins’ head coach Bruce Cassidy used Moore on the right side of the defense. But there is Steven Kampfer already waiting in the press box, ‘rotating’ with Connor Clifton. Kampfer has seen himself taking part in only three NHL games this season.

The Bruins made a roster spot for the veteran left-shot defenseman rather easily, sending Brendan Gaunce down to the AHL.

Keep in mind that Zach Senyshyn, Brett Ritchie, Karson Kuhlman, and Kevan Miller are still on the injured reserve. While Connor Clifton would need waivers to go down to the AHL.

While there is a roster spot for John Moore, it can be specified as a press-box spot. After Miller comes back, the Bruins will need to clear both the roster and the salary cap space to keep the 31-year-old veteran right-shot defenseman on the NHL roster. What’s the future of Moore with the Bruins?

As it seems now, he has no space on this crowded roster. Besides, his salary-cap hit of $2.75 million per year isn’t specifically a cheap item.