Bruins Make Roster Move Following Coaching Change

Jeffrey Viel’s stay with the Boston Bruins was a very brief one.

The Bruins announced Wednesday evening that they assigned the 27-year-old forward to Providence after calling up Viel for Monday’s loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Viel did what was expected of him in his Bruins debut. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound winger brought a physical presence in his 8:29 of ice time as he registered a team-high three hits. He also dropped the gloves with Mathieu Olivier just 2:12 into the first period to try to ignite the Bruins. Viel’s aggressiveness got the better of him later in the frame when he committed a boarding penalty, giving him almost as much time in the penalty box as he spent on the ice for the game.

Viel, who had two goals and two assists in 14 games Providence this season, got bumped back down to the AHL due to the expected return of Mark Kastelic. Kastelic was present in a regular jersey for Bruins practice Wednesday after leaving Saturday’s loss against the St. Louis Blue due to a lower-body injury.

Kastelic is off to a strong start this season, serving as a spark from the fourth line by netting three goals and adding four assists in 19 games. He also owns a plus-5 rating.

And it certainly will be good for Joe Sacco to have Kastelic back in the lineup as he gets set to make his debut as the Bruins interim head coach Thursday night against the Utah Hockey Club. Puck drop from TD Garden is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET and you can watch the game, plus an hour of pregame coverage, on NESN.