Boston Bruins fans began to panic about the future of prospects wanting to join the organization last season when Andre Gasseau declined to sign his entry-level deal. The former Boston College Eagles captain could've stayed in the city and attempted to make the team this season, but he didn't see a clear path to the NHL roster, setting the stage for a trade to the San Jose Sharks.
Gasseau likely went to San Jose thinking there was an easier path to play in the NHL in his home state. With a projected fourth-line center of Ty Dellandrea, it wasn't outside the realm of possibility that he would get a chance to steal that spot, considering how highly fans viewed him when he left Boston. However, in the end, he didn't really come close to making the NHL roster, already getting assigned to the AHL after just one preseason game.
Gasseau played 13:46 against the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday night, and despite the early assignment to the AHL, it could be more of a product of a set roster at the NHL level and the four-year college player needing more professional development before getting an opportunity. At the very least, Gasseau made an impression on head coach Ryan Warsofsky.
"“I’d say his skill. I think he’s got more skill than [we realized]. He can make plays with pace. You know, he’s not afraid to get in there and be physical. He’s got a good foundation for becoming a pro hockey player, which has impressed me.”"Ryan Warsofsky
Warsofsky's comments do prove Bruins fans correct in a way, as Gasseau does have the skills to one day make an impact in some way on an NHL roster. However, with all the young players coming into the Bruins' organization, it'd be hard to see where he would've fit in a few years, as they would've undoubtedly jumped him on the depth chart.
The area where some fans were proven wrong was their estimation on when he would be available to the team. Some wondered whether he could've helped the team in the playoffs last season if he had signed, but in reality, he couldn't make a non-playoff team from last season after a season of preparing for the camp. It's much too early to write off Gasseau as a career AHLer, but this demotion should make fans feel a bit better that he wasn't a complete miss for the organization.
Add us as a preferred source on Google