Bruins Place Forward Brett Ritchie On Waivers

After two highly disappointing games in Philadelphia and Columbus, Boston Bruins GM Don Sweeney has made a move. The Bruins have placed forward Brett Ritchie on waivers for the purpose of assignment to AHL Providence. Ritchie, and the club as a whole, came under fire last night after the club failed to respond following Tuukka Rask’s injury.

Ritchie has played in 27 games with the Bruins, scoring two goals and adding four assists for six points. He is averaging 10:24 in time on ice per game, and has started 56.1% of his shifts in the offensive zone. Ritchie last played in the AHL during the 2015-16 season. He suited up in 35 games for the Texas Stars that season.

With David Backes out of last night’s lineup, the Bruins were looking for someone to answer the bell after Rask was injured just 1:12 into the hockey game. Rask took a dirty elbow from Blue Jackets forward Emil Bemstrom that knocked him out of the game and gave him a concussion. There is currently no timetable for Rask’s return to the crease.

This came on the heels of the Bruins blowing a 5-2 lead in Philadelphia on Monday night. Head Coach Bruce Cassidy called the team’s performance “unprofessional” following the 6-5 shootout loss.

The Bruins have not made a corresponding roster move to replace Ritchie. The Bruins next play on Thursday night at 7:00 pm when they welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins to TD Garden.

Brett Ritchie signed with the club as an unrestricted free agent on July 1st. He inked a one-year, $1,000,000 contract.