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 -- Prior to Sunday’s practice, the Boston Bruins assigned forward Ryan Spooner back to Providence of the AHL.

Spooner was recalled on March 18 and played three games. When David Krejci injured his leg and was forced to miss a game against the Winnipeg Jets earlier in the week, Spooner served as the Bruins’ top-line centerman, alongside Nathan Horton and Milan Lucic. Krejci missed only one game, but Bruins coach Claude Julien kept the rookie in the lineup against the Ottawa Senators and scratched veteran Rich Peverley.

Spooner remained in the lineup against the Maple Leafs on Saturday, when forward Jordan Caron was a healthy scratch.

Even though Spooner was sent back to Providence, Julien felt it was a good experience for the prospect.

“He was fine,” Julien said. “It was a big step for him. His first year out of junior and Providence, and we put him his first game in between Lucic and Horton, and I thought he did pretty well with the right wingers around him. Krejci came back, and [Spooner went] on a different line, experience was what was lacking with him. We often got caught in our own end when his line was on the ice, but the skill level and everything else, we see it in practice and it’s really good.

“It was a good opportunity for him and it was good he got the chance to play with us. He certainly wasn’t a liability, but right now we’ve got some guys that are back and we should be able to move forward here.”

Prior to his recall to Boston, Spooner had 15 goals and 37 assists for 52 points in 58 games for the P-Bruins.

Bruins center David Krejci is back in the lineup Thursday night vs. the Senators.

Krejci had been termed a game-time decision after rejoining linemates Milan Lucic and Nathan Horton at Thursday morning's skate. The Bruins announced Krejci's return via Twitter shortly before the puck dropped in Ottawa.

Krejci missed Tuesday's loss to Winnipeg after a puck struck his right knee in the third period of Boston's 2-1 loss to Pittsburgh on Sunday.

Also, in a surprising move by head coach Claude Julien, Rich Peverley was a healthy scratch. That gave Ottawa native and rookie Ryan Spooner a chance to play his first NHL game in his hometown.

Boston Bruins center David Krejci, who left Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Penguins after taking a slap shot in the knee, won’t play Tuesday against the Winnipeg Jets, coach Claude Julien told reporters.

Julien said Monday that Krejci didn’t suffer any broken bones and the hope was he’d be back in the lineup soon.

Ryan Spooner, who was recalled from the Providence Bruins on an emergency basis, will take Krejci’s spot on the top line between Milan Lucic and Nathan Horton, according to Julien.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for Spoons to take,” Julien told the Boston Globe. “We’ll see where he goes with that. If it doesn’t work out, we can always make some changes. We’ve seen him play enough that we know he can probably be a good fit there.”

Spooner made his NHL debut earlier this season, getting 5:29 of ice time in a February game at Montreal. It was his only NHL action of the season. The 21-year-old centerman leads Providence in scoring with 45 points (12 goals, 33 assists) in 50 games.

BOSTON -- Given the possibility that Brad Marchand won't be in the Boston Bruins' lineup Wednesday against the Montreal Canadiens at Bell Centre in Montreal, the Bruins recalled forward Ryan Spooner on an emergency basis from the Providence Bruins of the AHL.

Spooner will travel with the Bruins to Montreal and could make his NHL debut against the Canadiens.

Coach Claude Julien said after Monday’s practice at Ristuccia Arena that Marchand was progressing “very well,” and that the team would make a decision on his availability before leaving for Montreal. Marchand missed the third period of Saturday’s 1-0 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs after he appeared to suffer a shoulder injury when he slammed into the end boards late in the second period. He did not practice Monday.

Marchand has five goals and one assist for six points in eight games this season.

The Bruins originally selected Spooner in the second round (45th overall) of the 2010 NHL entry draft. In 35 games for the P-Bruins this season, the 21-year-old forward has nine goals and 21 assists for 30 points.

The Bruins announced Thursday night that they have assigned defenseman Matt Bartkowski and forward Ryan Spooner to Providence and placed forward Jamie Tardiff on waivers (for purpose of assignment). Also, defenseman Aaron Johnson will join the Providence Bruins on a conditioning loan.

That leaves 13 forwards and seven defensemen in camp, with David Warsofsky being the extra rearguard.

According to Mark Divver of the Providence Journal, Boston Bruins assistant general manager Don Sweeney attended practice for the organization’s AHL affiliate, the Providence Bruins, and informed players of their invite to Boston’s upcoming training camp.

Forwards Chris Bourque, Ryan Spooner, Lane MacDermid, and Jamie Tardif, along with defensemen Matt Bartkowski and David Warsofsky, were invited to camp.

Bruins camp is expected to begin Sunday at Ristuccia Arena in Wilmington, Mass.

Bruins prospects Jared Knight and Ryan Spooner, both drafted by Boston in the second round of the 2010 NHL Entry Level draft, arrived back in Boston as the summer winded down ready to attend the Bruins' 2012-13 rookie and training camps. With their junior hockey careers completed and some solid showings at the Bruins’ summer development camps, they were ready to embark on their pro career in the AHL with Providence and, if they had impressive training camps, quite possibly in the NHL with Boston.

But due to the current NHL lockout, Knight, Spooner and other prospects never got the chance to break camp with the big club. Instead, they were sent straight to Providence to develop their pro game under the tutelage of head coach Bruce Cassidy and his staff. And while NHL regular-season games are being wiped from the calendar, Knight and Spooner will continue to pursue their dream while playing for the P-Bruins as they open their 2012-13 season against Manchester in Providence on Friday.

Instead of letting the lockout delay their growth as pro players, the two prized prospects are taking this time in Providence to improve their game and learn the difference between pro and junior hockey.

“This is still a good opportunity for me and the other young guys to gain experience and play with veterans,” said Knight recently. “I played four years in the OHL so coming here there’s bigger and stronger guys. It’s good to get the feet wet and I’m ready when the time comes in Boston.”

With Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli and head coach Claude Julien -- as well as other team brass and coaches -- in attendance at most practices and games now, Knight, Spooner and other prospects are getting the chance to impress them firsthand. And they're paying closer attention to detail.

“It's definitely more motivation to know those guys are watching you,” said Spooner, who had 259 points in four seasons of junior hockey in the OHL with Peterborough, Kingston and Sarnia. “You have to make sure even more that you go out there and play your best. I think the most important thing -- and it always should be -- but with them there, you make sure you go out there and make sure every shift is your best.”

Knight, who had 209 points in four seasons with London (OHL), concurred. He said that with so many Boston management and coaches regularly on hand, a player in his situation doesn’t want to be the one to make that lazy pass at center ice that goes back the other way for a goal.

“We know they’re up there and it’s definitely in the back of your mind,” Knight said. “You don’t want to screw up or give up that goal by putting that puck in the middle of the ice. I try not to focus on it. We know they’re there but we’re professionals and we know just to block that out and play our game.”

Another thing Knight and Spooner are trying to block out is the bad news coming from the CBA negotiations. They simply tell themselves their chance at the NHL will come someday soon and focus on the task at hand.

“I don’t really pay attention because if you do that you get sidetracked a little bit,” Spooner said. “Things will hopefully get resolved, but for now I just need to focus on what’s going on here.”

WILMINGTON, Mass. -- The Bruins' sixth annual development camp concluded with Team White beating Team Black 4-2 on Monday. But it was a Team Black player who stole the show with Ryan Spooner scoring two goals and flashing some highlight-reel moves.

Spooner, whom the Bruins took 45th overall in the second round of the 2010 draft, showed the skill that has the organization very excited about his potential. Spooner, along with Jared Knight -- who was the team's other second-round pick (32nd overall) in the same draft -- and 2011 first-round pick Dougie Hamilton (ninth overall) stood above the rest and appear ready to challenge for roster spots at the Bruins’ training camp in September.

"We call them 'the usual suspects,'" general manager Peter Chiarelli said. "I think Spooner and Jared Knight are going to challenge. I think Dougie is going to challenge. I don't want to leave anybody out, but that's who I like to call 'the usual suspects.'"

This trio exemplifies what the Bruins hope development camp does for all their prospects and invitees each year. While their skill and stature among their peers may have given them an advantage coming into their first development camp, they need to continue to develop a pro mentality and work ethic.

Assistant general manager Don Sweeney, who has been in charge of this camp since its inception, used Spooner’s performance Monday and throughout camp as an example of how the camp can help players.

“I think both on and off the ice maturity has been a big factor,” Sweeney said. “He’s gaining in strength and understanding of the level of play going up and the stronger guys are going to be there. His time in Providence has certainly helped in that regard.

"There’s a pro mentality that’s starting to seep in there, which is what we need all these guys to do. It’s not something you wake up with or you do by osmosis. You have to really go through it and understand it, and they’re building blocks. You just can’t go from A to Z; there’s a period of time and transition that you go through, and you see the skill, obviously, comes out.”

On the opposite end of the spectrum is a player like Malcolm Subban, an 18 year-old, who showed up at development camp only six days removed from being drafted. Sweeney wanted Subban and the other prospects to get a taste of what it takes to compete at the pro level.

“He literally just went from the excitement of being drafted in the last weekend to being thrown into this environment, which can catch anyone off guard especially when you’re 17 or 18 years old,” Sweeney said. “So I think that’s great. That’s really where the expectation part goes. We realized that even when Tyler [Seguin] missed a meeting last year and the repercussions of that. That’s the pro mentality we want to start to seep in. We want them to realize that you can’t get that overnight. You have to go through it and realize it and be around other guys. They’ll see [Jared] Knight and some of the other guys, Tommy [Cross], that they’re further along in that process and all of a sudden they’re like, ‘Whoa, that’s how I’m supposed to react.’”

BOSTON -- The Boston Bruins officially announced the signings of Carter Camper, Jared Knight and Ryan Spooner to amateur tryout agreements. All three will make their pro debuts this weekend with the AHL’s Providence Bruins.

Camper, 21, is an undrafted product out of Miami University and posted 183 points in 156 games during his four-year collegiate career.

Knight, 19, was Boston’s second-round pick (32nd overall) in last June’s NHL Entry Draft. He played three seasons for the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League.

Spooner, 19, was the Bruins’ second-round pick (45th overall) in last year’s draft. He split the 2010-11 season between the Peterborough Petes and Kingston Frontenacs of the OHL and posted 81 points in 64 regular-season games.

BOSTON -- The Boston Bruins held two separate morning skates today at TD Garden and the team is en route to Montreal for tonight’s first preseason exhibition game against the Canadiens.

Bruins coach Claude Julien will have a few rookies in the lineup, including Tyler Seguin, Jordan Caron, Ryan Spooner and Max Sauve.

“They’ve got a chance to play their first game in an environment that we know is a hostile environment for us, but it’s a good place to learn how to play under pressure,” Julien said. “It’s going to be a good experience for those guys.”

Julien’s message to the young players is a simple one.

"They have to play their game,” he said. “There are little details that we kind of just talked about, and for some of those guys is the importance of face-offs, but most of all you want to let them play and showcase what they do best. At the same time, let them experience that feeling.”

LOS ANGELES -- The Boston Bruins selected center Ryan Spooner with their other second-round pick (45th overall) in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft Saturday morning at the Staples Center.

The 18-year-old native of Kanata, Ontario, recorded 19 goals and 35 assists for 54 points in 47 games for Peterborough of the OHL.

“It’s a great team and a great organization, so I’m very happy to go there,” Spooner said. “It’s been my dream for a while to get drafted and I’m very happy.”