Story by
Bruins Make Eye-Opening Decision With Veteran Defenseman Before Opener
- Story by
- Bruins Make Eye-Opening Decision With Veteran Defenseman Before Opener
Bruins Make Eye-Opening Decision With Veteran Defenseman Before Opener originally appeared on NESN . Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Boston Bruins weren't kidding when they said jobs would have to be earned.
Advertisement
One of their final roster decisions provided the proof.
Boston placed veteran defenseman Henri Jokiharju on waivers Sunday for the purpose of assigning him to Providence, an eye-opening move less than 48 hours before Tuesday's season opener against the New York Rangers .
The decision becomes even more interesting considering Jokiharju's contract.
His Time in Boston
Boston acquired Jokiharju during the 2025 trade deadline and subsequently signed him to a three-year, $9 million extension. He appeared in 41 games last season and produced two goals and 13 assists.
Yet when the Bruins had to make their final decisions, Jokiharju was on the outside.
Advertisement
Rookie Frederic Brunet wasn't.
That represents one of the more interesting developments to emerge from Marco Sturm's first training camp as Bruins head coach.
Competition Is There
Brunet entered camp with only one NHL game on his resume and plenty of competition ahead of him on Boston's depth chart. General manager Don Sweeney acknowledged before camp that Brunet's waiver status could give the Bruins reason to provide him with a more extended NHL opportunity if his play warranted it.
It apparently did.
Sweeney said earlier this month that Boston wanted to make its decision based on performance.
Advertisement
"You always want the best player," Sweeney said while discussing the competition involving Brunet and Matt Poitras .
That's a significant message for the rest of the roster.
The Bruins have plenty of experienced defensemen, but Charlie McAvoy will miss the first six games while serving a suspension. That created an early opportunity for somebody to force his way into Sturm's plans.
Brunet did exactly that.
Jokiharju, meanwhile, played only 16 of Boston's final 40 games last season after returning from an undisclosed injury. If he clears waivers, Boston can assign him to Providence.
Advertisement
The Bruins also assigned Dans Locmelis and Riley Duran to Providence, while Poitras will begin the season on injured reserve with a lower-body injury. Sturm did provide an encouraging update Sunday, saying Poitras "feels better every day."
MORE: David Pastrnak's Captain Debut Gives Bruins-Rangers Opener A Bigger Stage
Time To Get Started
Boston opens the season Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET against the Rangers at TD Garden.
And when the Bruins take the ice, one of the most surprising stories of training camp could be standing on their blue line.
