I feel like at this point in the season I know most of the Providence Bruins roster, and that isn’t because I have been making the 40 minute drive down there. It is because of the obscene number of injuries that have befallen the Bruins, most of them since the Thornton suspension. Since his suspension, the Bruins have lost Loui Eriksson for an indeterminate amount of time, Chris Kelly for a few months and Dennis Seidenberg for the season. There were a few games where I thought we would see the Boston Bruins just throw in the towel and give up but, they powered through adversity, played hard, and earned victories all while giving their prospects some run and managing the minutes of Zdeno Chara and Tuukka Rask.

First, let’s start behind the blue line. Dennis Seidenberg, Johnny Boychuck, Dougie Hamilton, and Adam McQuaid have all missed a significant amount of time. In their place, the Bruins have called up Kevan Miller, David Warsofsky, and Zach Trotman and all of done pretty well in their brief stints. I was very impressed with the local kid Warsofsky, and not just because he went to BU. He showed a Krug-like flash of offensive skill that could be a huge asset in the future. Claude Julian was so impressed Warsofsky saw some power play time in the place of Dougie Hamilton. Kevan Miller has done so well during his time, that the Bruins have called him up on a permanent basis. He will remain on the roster for the remainder of the season which of course fuels the hot stove trade talk. With Dennis Seidenberg’s season ending knee tear (see above photo) I wouldn’t be surprised if the Bruins go out and make a move for a veteran defenseman.

The forwards had their own issues with two centers and three wingers out due to suspension and injury. Shawn Thornton, Loui Eriksson, Carl Soderberg, Chris Kelly,  and Daniel Paille all missed time with either suspension or injuries. It was a hodgepodge of replacements called up for a game or two and then immediately sent down for the next. The list includes: Ryan Spooner, Matt Fraser, Nick Johnson, Justin Florek, and Craig Cunningham. Spooner has been tremendous and we have seen him grow up during his entire stay in Boston. Matt Fraser has also been a pleasant surprise and saw some time on the penalty kill.

What’s Next?

Now the Bruins are heading out west for tilts against the Ducks, Kings, and Sharks. Shawn Thornton’s suspension will finally come to an end against the Sharks on Saturday which will help provide an emotional boost in time for a division game back in Boston against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Yours Truly will be there and I am pretty pumped about it because games against Toronto are always fun. Then, it’s off to visit Tyler Seguin and the Dallas Stars followed by a Stanley Cup Finals rematch against the Chicago Blackhawks. There are some really exciting games in this stretch of quality opponents and I am looking forward to watching every minute (yes even these late nights against the West). Follow me on twitter @BruinsBeliever and check back for updates. Let’s Go B’s!