Brian McGrattan Sent to Providence for Conditioning

For seven games, tough guy Brian McGrattan has been watching from the press box, his services not yet needed by the Boston Bruins.

So, to keep the 29-year-old in game shape, the team is sending him to its AHL affiliate in Providence.

General manager Peter Chiarelli made the announcement Friday morning, with the Providence Bruins playing three games this weekend.

McGrattan will be back with Boston on Monday, and he won't need to clear waivers, as it's a conditioning stint and not a demotion.

McGrattan is no stranger to the AHL, as he owns the single-season record for penalty minutes with 551 in 71 games in the 2004-05 season for the Binghamton Senators.

He has three goals and 11 assists to go with 395 penalty minutes in 182 NHL games.

Eventually, McGrattan's size and strength will be needed with the big club, but for now, he'll have to get his work in with the P-Bruins. That's unfortunate news for members of the Albany Devils and Worcester Sharks, who will have to deal with McGrattan this weekend.