ESPN

The Boston Bruins made four roster transactions Saturday, sending forwards Ryan Spooner, Matt Fraser, Matt Lindblad and goaltender Niklas Svedberg to Providence of the AHL.

Currently, the Bruins have 14 forwards, eight defensemen and two goaltenders remaining on the training camp roster as the team prepares for the season opener against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Oct. 3 at TD Garden.

With Svedberg bound for Providence, Chad Johnson is in line to be No. 1 netminder Tuukka Rask's backup. Johnson, 27, has spent the majority of his career in the AHL and has 10 games of NHL experience between the New York Rangers and the Phoenix Coyotes. He signed a one-year, one-way contract worth $600,000 in July. Svedberg, 23, is still on an entry-level contract with the Bruins, but if he plays in Boston he'll count for nearly $1 million against the cap.

The Bruins are one over the 23-man limit for the active roster, so GM Bruins Peter Chiarelli still has a decision to make. Forwards Jordan Caron and Nick Johnson would need to clear waivers if sent to Providence, so it's possible Chiarelli would consider a trade in order to get something in return.

If the Bruins decide to go with eight defensemen that means it will be Zdeno Chara, Dennis Seidenberg, Johnny Boychuk, Adam McQuaid, Torey Krug, Dougie Hamilton, Matt Bartkowski and Kevan Miller.

As far as the four cuts that were made, Spooner, Fraser, Lindblad and Svedberg were all impressive during camp. From a development standpoint, it's better for all to get the necessary ice time with the P-Bruins in order to continue to hone their skills.

There's no doubt all could contribute in Boston at some point this season if needed. Chiarelli has created a wealth of depth in the organization and the P-Bruins should have an impressive season, too.

Tick. Tock.

Time is dwindling for Boston Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli and coach Claude Julien to decide the team's final roster before the season opener against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Oct. 3 at TD Garden.

Offensively, there are two wing positions open on the third line, along with another as the healthy scratch. Six of the seven players battling for those spots were in the lineup during Boston's 3-2 overtime preseason win over the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday night at MTS Centre in Winnipeg.

While Bruins forward Loui Eriksson scored the game-winning goal, it was Ryan Spooner, Reilly Smith, Matt Fraser, Matt Lindblad, Jordan Caron and Nick Johnson who all received plenty of ice time in the team's second-to-last exhibition game. Carl Soderberg, the other competitor for a spot, will be in the lineup Friday.

Spooner was impressive again. He scored a goal and assisted on Eriksson's game-winning goal. Spooner also used his speed effectively, won battles and put the puck into open areas to allow his linemates to win the foot races. As well as he has performed during camp, the Bruins are loaded at the center position with David Krejci, Patrice Bergeron, Chris Kelly and Gregory Campbell as the men in the middle.

Julien recently said Spooner needs to focus on his game and make sure management has a tough decision when the final cut is made. He has done that, so it's going to be interesting to see how the Bruins handle that final decision on whether to keep Spooner in the mix or send him to Providence of the AHL.

On the defensive side, Dougie Hamilton, Torey Krug and Matt Bartkowski -- the three defensemen fighting for two spots -- were all in the lineup.

Between the pipes, Niklas Svedberg played his first complete game of the preseason and played well. He's battling fellow goalie Chad Johnson for the backup role behind starter Tuukka Rask. Svedberg finished with 26 saves and made several quality stops.

Thursday's line combinations:

Forwards
Brad Marchand-Patrice Bergeron-Loui Eriksson
Jordan Caron-Matt Lindblad-Reilly Smith
Daniel Paille-Gregory Campbell-Shawn Thornton
Matt Fraser-Ryan Spooner-Nick Johnson

Defensemen
Kevan Miller-Torey Krug
Matt Bartkowski-Dougie Hamilton
Dennis Seidenberg-Adam McQuaid

Goaltender
Niklas Svedberg

DOING WHAT HE DOES: When Bruins forward Gregory Campbell was given clearance to return to game action, he said he would not hesitate to block shots. It's been a little more than three months since he suffered a broken right leg while blocking a shot in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Pittsburgh Penguins. When he returned earlier in the preseason, Campbell admitted he's been thinking about that part of his game, but he wouldn't change his game. He proved that in the first period against the Jets when he slid and blocked a slap shot. Campbell was also reunited with his linemates Shawn Thornton and Daniel Paille for the first time this preseason.

ICYMI: Former Bruins goalie Tim Thomas and the Florida Panthers agreed Thursday on a one-year deal worth a base salary of $2.5 million, which could increase if the 39-year-old reaches certain performance bonuses. The two-time Vezina Trophy winner and 2011 Stanley Cup champion last played on April 25, 2012, when the Bruins lost to the Washington Capitals in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals. The Bruins play at Florida on Oct. 17, before the Panthers visit Boston on Nov. 7.

UP NEXT: The Bruins will conclude their exhibition season when they face the Jets Friday night in Saskatoon. Tuukka Rask will start and is expected to play the entire game for Boston.

TEAM BUILDING: The Bruins will participate in their annual two-day, team-building activities on Monday and Tuesday in Vermont.

BOSTON -- After Boston's top four defensemen of Zdeno Chara, Dennis Seidenberg, Adam McQuaid and Johnny Boychuk, it will be a true competition between Dougie Hamilton, Torey Krug and Matt Bartkowski for the final two spots on the blue line.

Hamilton, Krug and Bartkowski have all played well in the first week of camp and into the preseason exhibition schedule. But one of those three will serve as the healthy scratch once the season starts, so the competition should be intense and healthy.

"We don't have to spell that out to them," said Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli. "I spoke openly to the group about competition. I'm really looking forward to seeing the competition at all levels, at all positions.

"Common sense would dictate right now that it would be those three guys for those two spots. They've embraced it and they've played well. I thought Dougie had a good game [Tuesday night]. He was strong on the puck and made some good plays and closed well as the game progressed. Torey and Bart, the other night in Montreal, they both played well."

Chiarelli added that no spot is guaranteed, but when asked if he would be comfortable seeing Hamilton play for the P-Bruins at some point instead of watching from press level as the healthy scratch, the GM said: "My goal is to have him in the NHL."

* With two exhibition games in the books, all four goalies have each played half of a game. Tuukka Rask and Niklas Svedberg played Tuesday night against the Washington Capitals, while Chad Johnson and Malcolm Subban played Monday at Montreal. The latter three are competing for the backup role behind Rask.

"We're all competitive and we all want to be out there," Rask said. "I haven't paid too much attention to that yet but I'm sure as the camp keeps going further and further I'll get to practice with the other goalies and see how they're doing."

Camp has been split into two groups, so Rask has been on the ice with Svedberg all week.

"I thought he made some key saves out there," Rask said of Svedberg's performance Tuesday night. "I thought he was solid."

* Bruins forward Daniel Paille did not practice Wednesday, but both Chiarelli and coach Claude Julien said it had nothing to do with hockey, simply saying Paille was ill and expected back on the ice Thursday.

* While it's a possibility Gregory Campbell could return to game action Thursday night against the Detroit Red Wings at TD Garden, teammate Patrice Bergeron still needs more time, according to Julien, but the coach added it's a possibility Bergeron could play Saturday at Detroit.

* Rask's spirited temper is in midseason form. During the last drill of Wednesday's practice, he took a couple of shots up high and had a few goals scored on him. He stormed off the ice, smashed his stick into pieces against the boards and threw his gloves down the hallway. Afterward, he was fine, saying he's not a fan of the neutral zone scrimmage.

* The Bruins made their first round of cuts Wednesday afternoon. Camp invites Scott Campbell, Jack Downing, Steven Spinell and Ben Youds will join the Providence Bruins training camp, while Tyler Randell and Adam Morrison have been assigned to Providence.

BOSTON -- There are four goalies in Bruins camp battling for the backup role behind starter Tuukka Rask.

Chad Johnson, Niklas Svedberg and Malcolm Subban are all vying for that job in a healthy competition.

“It’s been good,” coach Claude Julien said. “I think when you look at the candidates, we’ve got some pretty good depth. From the fact that Chad Johnson has looked really good and Svedberg, who proved himself in the American League last year, and your first-round pick, Subban, who obviously is a little young and may not be ready right away but who knows when he’ll be ready as far as it could be sooner than later.

“So we’ve got some good competition back there and the competition has probably better depth than what most people think, so I’m comfortable with what I’ve seen and I think they understand that. Those guys that are battling for that backup spot understand what’s at stake. They’re certainly trying to be at their best here.”

Svedberg, 23, was outstanding for Providence last season, recording a 37-8-2 record with a 2.17 goals-against average and .925 save percentage in 48 regular-season games.

Johnson, 27, has spent the majority of his career in the AHL and has 10 games of NHL experience between the New York Rangers and Phoenix Coyotes. He signed a one-year, one-way contract worth $600,000 in July.

Subban, 19, enters his first professional season and is expected to be the starting goalie for the P-Bruins.

Adam Morrison, 22, also is in camp. He spent the majority of the 2012-13 season in the ECHL.

Svedberg has played well during camp and he’s looking forward to the challenge of the preseason games.

“It’s been good,” Svedberg said. “It’s good intensity and guys are competing hard. It’s really nice to start off the season and get going right away. It’s been fun.”

Since Rask will play the majority of the games during the season, the backup’s ice time will be limited. Still, it’s a position all four candidates would rather play than getting more playing time in the minors.

“You want to play, but at the same time you want to come up to the highest level,” Svedberg said. “My only mindset now is to make the team here and to be in the NHL. That’s all my focus goes to now and we’ll see how well I play and see what happens after that. But at this moment I’m just focused on being here and staying here.”

Svedberg served as the Bruins’ black ace goalie during the final two rounds of the Stanley Cup playoffs last spring. It was a valuable experience, and even though he’s still developing and honing his skills, Julien believes if the young goalie is ready for the NHL level, then that’s where he’ll be.

“That remains to be seen. I think if he’s ready, he’s ready. It’s as simple as that,” Julien said. “If we feel he’s ready to be a backup here, we’ll make him a backup here. I think if he earns a job I have no issues with him being here even if he’s got one year in the American League. He had a great year last year and if we feel he’s ready, then make that jump.”

BOSTON -- Now that former Boston Bruins goaltender Anton Khudobin has signed with the Carolina Hurricanes, Providence Bruins netminder Niklas Svedberg could be next in line to be the backup in Boston behind Tuukka Rask for the 2013-2014 season.

Svedberg could face competition for Boston's backup goalie spot from Chad Johnson, whom the Bruins signed Friday to a one-year, one-way contract worth $600,000.

Svedberg, 23, was outstanding for the P-Bruins last season and recorded a 37-8-2 record with a 2.17 goals-against average and a .925 save percentage in 48 games during the regular season. During the Calder Cup playoffs, he posted a 6-6 record with a 3.29 GAA and a .889 save percentage.

It was Svedberg's first season playing in North America. Prior to signing with the Bruins and being assigned to Providence, he played four seasons in the Swedish Elite League.

"It was a good season to learn a lot of new things, and to play over here and to adjust to the game over here. It's been a good year, a long season and hopefully it'll help me next year," Svedberg said.

After the P-Bruins' season was over, the Bruins recalled Svedberg from Providence and he served as Boston's third goaltender during the playoffs.

"I think it was good for next year, just to see how everything works up here and get to know the guys and everything," he said. "It'll be good for next year."

During the team's exit meetings, the Bruins told Svedberg to work on his strength training in preparation for training camp.

"Get a little bit stronger and work on my physical part, just stuff like that," Svedberg said. "It'll be a short summer but I'll try to focus on my strength. I'll try to have a good summer, get ready for camp and take it from there."

WILMINGTON, Mass. -- The Boston Bruins agreed in principle with goaltender Tuukka Rask on a one-year, $3.5 million contract, Pierre Lebrun of ESPN.com confirmed Thursday afternoon via a team source.

The 25-year-old Rask will now enter training camp as the team's top goalie after Tim Thomas decided to forgo the final season of his contract with the Bruins and not play in 2012-13. Anton Khudobin, 26, is likely to serve as Rask's backup.

Heading into the NHL entry draft, Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli acknowledged that while he and his staff are comfortable with a Rask-Khudobin tandem, there has been a renewed emphasis on adding depth between the pipes. That depth is on full display at the Bruins' development camp, which began Thursday with six goalies showcasing their skills.

"It's unique that we have six goaltenders. There's no other way to describe it, to be honest with you," said assistant general manager Don Sweeney, who has run the camp since its inception in 2007. "But I think some of that is just the timing. Peter wanted to address organizational depth in net. We feel very comfortable as to how, certainly Anton has developed in our system, and Tuukka. We're still wondering [about] the Thomas thing ... but that is for another day."

In late May, the Bruins signed Swedish free-agent goalie Niklas Svedberg. At the draft in Pittsburgh last week, they used their first selection on another goaltender in Belleville Bulls (OHL) goalie Malcolm Subban with the 24th overall pick. They also decided to invite Boston College star goaltender Parker Milner -- who is a free agent and has one more season left at the Heights after helping the Eagles to a national championship last season -- to development camp. In addition to Svedberg, Subban and Milner, goalies Zane Gothberg, Adam Morrison and Lars Volden are also attending camp. Sweeney sees nothing but positives out of the sudden logjam between the pipes.

"I think that the fact that we've created some internal competition is really healthy," Sweeney said. "Niklas Svedberg coming in with the pro experience and the successes he's had overseas, I think is going to be helpful for Michael Hutchinson who's trying to emerge as the go-to guy in Providence so that'll be healthy competition there. Lars will go back and play in Finland and he's made that next step to go up to the elite league there and play, so you can see the steps that each and every one of these kids go through to get to that next level and gain that experience.

"Morrison will do the same thing too, come in and push those two guys and see if he can knock them out of Providence and if not, there's the Jonathan Quick story that has so often been told. Go down and probably play at that [ECHL and AHL] level because the pro game is different. Milner is one, he's right in our backyard and I think it was important for us to get to know him and see whether or not that winning attitude translates to the next level. So we wanted to get to know him too."

As for the newest addition, Sweeney acknowledged how raw the 18-year-old Subban is and the work he will need to do in this camp and in the future. But Sweeney was impressed with the natural skill and passion Subban showed in his first development camp.

"The athleticism you see right away and how quick he is in the net," Sweeney said. "The next thing he'll understand is that the shooters are better at the next level as well. So, our goalie coach Bob Essensa will go to work on some of the things he's already seen in his game that he wants to identify and improve upon. But he competes for every puck and every save even in the first day in this environment. Most goalies don't like to be scored on and he's no different in that regard. But the athleticism I think and the push across the net is very impressive."

With Rask taking over the reins as the No. 1 goalie, some of these younger goalies may not see a future in Boston. But the Bruins still want them to reach for the stars and push through the ranks.

"I think you have to be aware of where they kind of see themselves on that trajectory as well, because some kids might look and see a roadblock there as opposed to an opportunity," Sweeney said. "I think you have to get them to understand, go through the process and dictate."

As Sweeney pointed out, if these goalies win and do their jobs where they're playing now, they will advance.

"It comes down to winning. It really does," Sweeney said. "Goaltenders can have great statistical things to back it up and it might work in an arbitration setting, but the bottom line is, it's about winning. The teams that win, I think the goaltender's a big, big part of that. I mean, I haven't seen too many Stanley Cup champions that their goaltender hasn't been either 1 or 1A at the end of the run."

The Bruins are hoping that Rask goes from that 1A to a 1 and Khudobin becomes 1A this upcoming season. But it's also clear they are looking to develop a plethora of future netminders.