The next two weeks are going to be big for some Boston Bruins players in terms of where they will begin the 2026-27 season. Training camp is shorter and preseason games have been cut down from six games to four with the regular-season expanding to an 84-game slate.
The shorter camp is going to make it pivotal for younger players to make a quick impression in terms of trying to find a spot on the Opening Night roster. If two of those players don't make the roster and are sent to the Providence Bruins in the American Hockey League (AHL), they will need to clear waivers, which might not happen.
2 Bruins prospects face waivers to get sent to the AHL
Defenseman Frederic Brunet and forward Matthew Poitras must clear waivers for the first time, according to PuckPedia. Now, finding a way onto the roster might be difficult for both.
As far as Poitras goes, he was a restricted free agent until Wednesday afternoon, before he signed a one-year, two-way deal for $850,000. You can't tell me that a deal like that couldn't have been reached a lot earlier than the first day of reporting for camp. However, he's under contract and is going to face a logjam to make the Opening Night roster.
He'll be in a battle with fellow prospect James Hagens and other veteran forwards for a spot on the roster on Sept. 29 against the New York Rangers. If he is placed on waivers, then. things could get interesting for the Bruins in terms of losing him.
As far as Brunet goes, he's part of 10 blueliners looking to fight for seven spots. Now, there is a catch when it comes to defensemen at the beginning of the season. Yes, there are only six spots available, but Charlie McAvoy's six-game suspension is a big storyline in terms of how things will shake out in front of the Black and Gold's goalies. That could open the door for Brunet to sneak his way onto the roster early in the season.
When push comes to shove, these decisions are going to be key. Needing waivers to get to the AHL is not something that is guaranteed to happen. Poitras has enough NHL games under his belt to prove that he's ready. It wouldn't be surprising to see them carried as long as possible to avoid waivers. Regardless, some big decisions are going to loom quickly.
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