The Bruins have made their final cut, demoting rookie defenseman Matt Bartkowski to Providence on Wednesday.
That was the expected move as the club needed to trim one more player to get down to the league limit of 23. The Bruins actually still have 24 players on the roster, but they are allowed to carry a third goaltender for the games in Europe.
Netminder Nolan Schaefer will head to Providence after this weekend's two-game set with Phoenix in Prague, and now Bartkowski will join him. Though the team announced that while Bartkowski has been assigned to the AHL, he will remain with the big club through the weekend and return to the States with them after the games. He will not be eligible to play in either game in Prague, however.
Bartkowski also did not play in either of the club's final two preseason games, as he was a healthy scratch against Belfast and Liberec. That, coupled with the fact that he was the only defenseman remaining in camp who would not require clearing waivers to be sent down, clearly signaled that his days in Boston were likely numbered – for now.
Bartkowski still had an impressive first pro camp. The rookie out of Ohio State showed the kind of puck-moving ability the Bruins' defense lacks, as well as some offensive flair. He led the Bruins with four points (all assists) and was a plus-3 while playing in four of the team's five exhibition games in North America, earning the right to stay with the team on its European trip.
But Bartkowski is still just starting his first professional season, and would probably be better served working on his game by logging big minutes down in Providence rather than remaining up with the big club and playing sparingly. He should definitely still get his chances to play in Boston, as he'll be a leading candidate for recall if injuries strike on the blue line.
Along with the announcement of Bartkowski's demotion, the Bruins' release also made specific note that "unsigned forward Brian McGrattan remains with the Bruins on a professional tryout agreement."
McGrattan had also not played in either European exhibition game, and his status was in doubt as well. He's still not officially on the team as no contract agreement has been reached, but the tough guy winger is still sticking around.
The Bruins don't have to make any more cuts for roster limitation reasons, so only a decision that they don't need his heavyweight presence after all or a problem agreeing on terms would keep McGrattan from becoming a Bruin at this point.
Here's a look at the full Bruins roster slated to begin the season on Saturday:
Forwards: David Krejci, Nathan Horton, Milan Lucic, Patrice Bergeron, Mark Recchi, Jordan Caron, Tyler Seguin, Blake Wheeler, Michael Ryder, Greg Campbell, Daniel Paille, Shawn Thornton, Brad Marchand, Brian McGrattan*
Defense: Zdeno Chara, Dennis Seidenberg, Johnny Boychuk, Andrew Ference, Mark Stuart, Matt Hunwick, Adam McQuaid
Goalies: Tuukka Rask, Tim Thomas, Nolan Schaefer
Injured: Marc Savard, Marco Sturm, Trent Whitfield
*Still unsigned
