Frederic Brunet enters Bruins camp with a waiver decision looming
The Providence defenseman produced 36 points last season and can no longer be sent to the AHL without first clearing waivers.
Frederic Brunet enters Boston Bruins training camp with both a roster opportunity and a waiver complication. The 23-year-old defenseman is no longer exempt from waivers, so Boston would risk losing him to another team if it tries to assign him to Providence.
Brunet strengthened his case last season with 12 goals and 36 points in 65 games for the Providence Bruins. New Providence coach Trent Whitfield called him the team's best defenseman from the start of the season through the finish and said Brunet is ready physically and mentally for NHL work.
Boston general manager Don Sweeney also said Brunet has put himself in position to push for an NHL opportunity. Sweeney pointed to the left-shot defenseman's improved defensive detail, mobility and ability to join the attack after three seasons of AHL development.
The Bruins still have a crowded blue line. Charlie McAvoy, Hampus Lindholm, Nikita Zadorov and Will Borgen are established options, with Connor Clifton, Mason Lohrei, Henri Jokiharju, Jonathan Aspirot and Jordan Harris also competing for work.
Brunet has 75 points in 183 career AHL games, all with Providence, after Boston selected him in the fifth round of the 2022 NHL Draft. His production, puck-moving ability and waiver status make his preseason usage one of the team's clearest roster decisions to watch.
