BOSTON, Mass – The Boston Bruins organization has made several moves since their last games in order to promote a couple players to the NHL. Secondarily the club was able to capture assets for a player they may not have wished to re-sign after this season in Andrew Alberts. Alberts, who was on the books for $1.25 million this season, was sent to the Philadelphia Flyers for forward Ned Lukacevic and a conditional draft choice. If the Flyers sign Alberts at the conclusion of the season they will owe the Bruins a 3rd round choice in the 2009 Entry Draft, if they do not sign the physical defender the selection surrendered will be a 4th round choice in the same draft. Lukacevic was a 4th round choice of the Los Angeles Kings in the 2004 Entry Draft and had played the majority of the past two seasons with the Reading Royals of the ECHL scoring 24 times in 114 games. Lukacevic has been placed on the Providence roster.
Alberts had been a healthy scratch for the club’s first two games and appeared to be a lock for the seventh defenseman position. In addition to Lukacevic and the draft choice the move cleared salary cap which allowed the club to recall defender Matt Hunwick and forward Vladimir Sobotka from Rhode Island. Each of those players have a salary cap hit of $750,000 so in actuality what appeared to be a “cost-cutting” move on the surface actually has taxed the Bruins’ strained salary cap figure by an additional $300,000. The Bruins also signed Jordan Knackstedt to a three-year entry level deal and then assigned him to Providence.
Prior to the signing of Knackstedt, the Providence Bruins terminated the pro tryout contract of veteran Greg Classen. The team originally signed Knacksted to a PTO, but once his deal was finalized with Boston, the try out contract was moved aside and Knackstedt was placed on the roster. When the season started it appeared Knackstedt would need to return to Moose Jaw (WHL) as an overage player, but the recent roster maneuvering allowed him to resume his pro career.
Although neither the Providence nor the Boston Bruins have announced the move yet, the ECHL’s official website and the Anchorage Daily News have indicated the Alaska Aces have loaned defenseman Derick Martin to Providence. Martin flew out of Alaska on Tuesday night in order to join the club for their game on Friday night against the Springfield Falcons on Friday, October 17th. Martin was with Providence during a portion of their training camp.
On the ice Providence handled the Falcons in overtime on October 12th by a 4-3 count, although they did blow a two-goal lead for the second time in two games before scoring the game-winner. The buzz of the game was Sobotka who registered a “Gordie Howe” hat-trick as he scored the game-winning goal just 25 seconds into the extra frame, assisted on Mikko Lehtonen’s goal to give the club a then 3-1 lead and tangled with Tyler Spurgeon as time ran out in the second period. Martin St. Pierre and Martins Karsums scored the Bruins other goals. Tuukka Rask started in goal for Providence and made 25 stops to gain the win.
The Baby-B’s on-ice leadership is starting to come into focus as Jeremy Reich wore the “C” during the game against Springfield after being dressed as an alternate captain in the opening game. Karsums and Bitz remained as alternate captains as they had in the opener. Peter Schaefer appeared in his first game with the team but was held scoreless and did not have a shot on goal. In addition to Schaefer’s insertion Knackstedt dressed for the contest. The scratches were Zach Hamill (injured), Classen (released), Levi Nelson, Kirk MacDonald and Mark Bombersback. Nelson and MacDonald have yet to see regular season action this year.
After defeating the Colorado Avalanche to open their season Boston wound up with a split of their Midwest swing when they lost to the Minnesota Wild by a 4-3 count. The club was hurt by the goaltending of Manny Fernandez who was understandably rusty after a long lay-off last season. Fernandez admitted there were two goals he should have stopped and no one was arguing with him about it. Boston nearly rallied to tie the game on the strength of a pair of goals from Marc Savard, but the rally fell just short. Phil Kessel scored in the first period to open the scoring, but the Wild roared out to a lead they would not relinquish with four scoresto answer Kessel. Kessel’s goal early in the first period was impressive especially when you consider the fact he was cut under his lip when Brent Burns high-sticked him earlier in the game. The play earned Burns a double-minor penalty, but Minnesota was able to kill Burns’ penalty off.
As expected winger Chuck Kobasew is out of action for some time—perhaps up to a month—after he was struck by a Shane Hnidy clear-in attempt versus the Avalanche. Petteri Nokelainen replaced Kobasew in the lineup, but will now vie with Sobotka for playing time. It does not get easier for the B’s as they head to Montreal for a game. The contest is Montreal’s 100th anniversary season home opener and the Habs should be hyped up. Boston has a dog in the hunt as they want to beat Montreal for the first time in the regular season for the first time since March of 2007. Had the Bruins won a few games against Montreal during the regular season they would have overtaken that club in the standings. The Bruins did manage to extend Montreal to seven games in the first round of the playoffs before bowing out.
tom.schettino@prohockeynews.com
You must be logged in to post a comment.