Bruins Camp Wrap: Roster Cuts; Sacco Teaching The PK

The Boston Bruins held the fifth double session of their 2023-24 training camp on Thursday before their third preseason game on Friday night when they host the Philadelphia Flyers.

Here’s your Boston Hockey Now Camp Wrap from Sept. 27:

First Roster Cuts

The Boston Bruins announced their first training camp roster cuts late Thursday afternoon. Joey Abate, Vincent Arseneau, Justin Brazeau, Curtis Hall, Owen Pederson, Ethan Ritchie, Shane Starrett, and Luke Toporowski will report to Providence Bruins Training Camp.

My Take: No real surprises there. I expected Toporowski to last a bit longer after his play at the Buffalo Sabres Prospects Challenge, but his buzz-saw energy in Buffalo dissipated a bit when he got to Bost0n. In addition to that, the Bruins have an already proven group of bottom-six forwards that can bring that energy.

Sacco Wants Players To Seize Penalty Kill Opportunity

Assistant Coach Joe Sacco filled in for head coach Jim Montgomery, who is in Montreal mourning the death of his mother. Sacco met with the media and explained what their looking for from players who want to seize the new slots open on the penalty kill.

“We lost, obviously a very good penalty killer, but there’s opportunity for guys,” Sacco replied when asked about the current state of the Bruins’ penalty kill. “I think what we’re looking for there is when the forward group is out there, we need guys that can think quickly on their feet because when you’re out there against the five best players from the other team, that puck moves very quickly. So, within our structure, are they able to grasp that quickly? Understand what concepts are on the PK and then apply it on the ice when it’s gameplay.