Lukas Reichel and Marco Sturm now head into Boston’s next phase with the Bruins placing the young winger on waivers after the playoff exit.

That move is not just paperwork. It is a pretty clear sign Boston wants Reichel available for Providence’s playoff run while the NHL club starts sorting out its summer.

Reichel came over from Vancouver before the trade deadline for a 2026 sixth-round pick. The Bruins took a low-risk look at a former first-round talent and gave him a short runway down the stretch.

The sample in Boston was small, but it was not loud. Reichel played 10 regular-season games with the Bruins and put up 1 goal and 3 points.

He also got into 1 playoff game and finished minus-2 in 13:51. For a player trying to force his way into a deeper role, that is not the kind of push that changes a front office’s summer view.

There is still something to work with. Reichel had 1 goal and 6 points in 4 games with Providence this season, which is why this waiver move feels like a development play more than a final verdict.

Bruins cut ties with former Vancouver forward after playoff loss

The Bruins are not done with the player just because they put him on waivers. Reichel is a pending restricted free agent, and that gives Boston control over what comes next.

That is where this gets interesting. Reichel is still only 23, and his overall NHL track says there is at least a case for patience if the Bruins think a better fit is still there.

Across 198 NHL games, he has 23 goals, 39 assists, and 62 points. Those are not impact totals, but they are enough to stop this from being a simple write-off.

Boston also has room to be patient because the club just came off a 45-27-10 season. This is not a team looking for minor-league help to save the operation. It can afford to be selective.

The bigger issue is role. Reichel looks caught between being too skilled for a pure energy spot and not productive enough yet to lock down top-six minutes on a team with playoff expectations.

That leaves Providence as a useful stop. If he clears, he gets real games, real touches, and a chance to remind Boston there is still more there than what showed up in those 10 NHL appearances.

For the Bruins, this is smart asset management. For Reichel, it is a pressure point. Clear waivers, play well, and the conversation changes. Fade again, and this summer gets much tougher fast.

Source : Bruins Waive Former Canucks Forward After Playoff Exit