PROVIDENCE, RI – Fans of the 2007-08 Providence Bruins are going to need some time to get used to this year’s version as only three of last season’s top 10 scorers are back for this year. The parent Boston Bruins have stocked this year’s P-Bruins with several players from the 2006 Entry Draft who will get their first taste of professional hockey this year in Rhode Island. Another key to the season will be the players waived from the NHL on Tuesday afternoon. Peter Schaefer, Jeremy Reich and Nate Thompson were waived from the NHL club for the purpose of an assignment to Providence and there is a chance each of the players could be claimed by other NHL teams.
(Thompson was claimed on waivers by the New York Islanders. After playing for Scott Gordon last year the new head coach of the Islanders is very familiar with the player.)
If they are not claimed the club will in fact pick up an extra line. Schaefer has not been in the minors full-time since the 1998-99 season and could produce a point-per-game in Providence should he make it through waivers. Meanwhile Reich and Thompson will provide integrity, hard-work and physical play to the club which would be at least equal to other teams in the AHL.
The team will be coached by rookie head coach Rob Murray, who has been an assistant for the team in prior years. Murray will be ably assisted by Bruce Cassidy. Murray received the top job after Scott Gordon, last season’s coach, was hired by the New York Islanders to be their head coach.
Offensively the club will look towards Martin St. Pierre the AHL’s second leading scorer last year with 88 points for Rockford, 2007 first round draft choice Zach Hamill, 2006 draft choice Brad Marchand and Martins Karsums for points. The team is hoping Karsums can develop into one of the AHL’s top scorers this season. There are high hopes for Finnish rookie Mikko Lehtonen, and second year pros Bryon Bitz and Wacey Rabbit. Rookies Levi Nelson and Matt Marquardt will round out the opening night roster for the team when they take on the Lowell Devils on Wednesday night.
The Bruins hope they have a future potential star in goal in Tuukka Rask. Rask played well in the NHL training camp before he was re-assigned to the P-Bruins. If Rask stays healthy he could see upwards of 60 games this year for the club. Rask’s back-up to start the season will be Kevin Regan who posted a shutout in his professional debut for Providence last year. If Rask does play 60+ games there is a change Regan might see some time in the ECHL for conditioning and experience purposes.
The club’s defense has a nice mix of experience with fifth-year pros Johnny Boychuk and Ryan Stokes steadying the group, skaters and stay-at-home players. 2005 first round choice Matt Lashoff is developing into an NHLer and Matt Hunwick was the last defender cut from the Boston camp. Second year pro Adam McQuaid and rookie defenders Andrew Bodnarchuk and Jeff Penner are the remaining defenseman on the roster.
While some in Providence would hope there would be more high-end veteran talent available, the Boston organization has done a good job giving their younger players a great atmosphere to play and improve. If the three NHL waived players filter down to Providence this club could be amongst the league’s elite. With or without those players the club should compete for the playoffs. If the Boston goaltenders stay healthy and Rask can play to his potential in the playoffs, the club could make a run for the Calder Cup.
Contact the author at tom.schettino@prohockeynews.com.
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