BOSTON — Max Talbot is becoming the Bruins’ version of James Young.
Just as Young has spent the past season-plus shuttling between the Boston Celtics and the basketball club’s D-League affiliate in Maine, Talbot has been a frequent passenger on the Boston-to-Providence express.
The veteran forward’s latest trip to the Rhode Island capital came Monday, when he was assigned to Boston’s American Hockey League outpost after passing unclaimed through waivers. It will be Talbot’s third stint of the season with the P-Bruins.
Talbot, who was placed on waivers Sunday, was a healthy scratch for the Bruins’ last two games, wins over the Detroit Red Wings and New York Rangers. Landon Ferraro has filled his spot on the fourth line of late and performed well, tallying a goal and an assist in his first three games with Boston.
Head coach Claude Julien said after Monday’s practice that roster restrictions also factored into Talbot’s reassignment.
“I mean, there’s more than (Ferraro’s play),” Julien said. “There’s obviously numbers and caps, which is more upper management. At one point, decisions have to be made, so it’s more that. I think Max is a very useful guy. When we need him, he comes in and does whatever it takes to do the job there. So, nothing more than probably a numbers game right now.”
Talbot has yet to record a point in eight NHL games this season.
Some additional notes from Monday’s practice session at TD Garden:
— Kevan Miller appears to be nearing a return to action. The 28-year-old defenseman has missed the last five games since suffering a concussion in a Nov. 17 loss to the San Jose Sharks, but he was a full participant in practice Monday and is eligible to be removed from injured reserve before Boston’s next game.
Miller will travel with the Bruins on their three-game road trip through western Canada, which begins Wednesday in Edmonton.
— Two notable injuries to non-Bruins players: New York Rangers center Derek Stepan will miss the next four to six weeks after a controversial hit Friday from Boston’s Matt Beleskey caused him to suffer multiple broken ribs, and Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price will be out at least six weeks with what the team is calling a lower body injury.
Price’s injury means the reigning Hart and Vezina Trophy winner more than likely will be unable to participate when the Canadiens visit the Bruins in the 2016 Winter Classic on New Year’s Day. If he can’t go, expect Mike Condon to get the nod at Gillette Stadium, which sits less than 15 miles away from Condon’s hometown of Holliston, Mass.
Thumbnail photo via Eric Bolte/USA TODAY Sports Images
