The Bruins' official account just shared praise for Mikey Eyssimont, saying he never pouted after being sent to the minors and earned his recall with James Hagens out.
That is the new part of this story. The injury is old news by now, and Eyssimont's reaction to the demotion is what the team chose to highlight this afternoon.
Here is how the Bruins' account framed it, in a quote that does not name the speaker:
The message was clear. The quote says Eyssimont had a really good camp, but there were a lot of bodies, so he kept playing well in the minors. According to the post, he did not pout and he worked hard, which is why he deserved the call.
Nobody in Boston has to guess how that sounds. When a veteran gets sent down in a crowded camp, the next move is usually a quiet grumble. The Bruins are telling everyone that did not happen here.
The timing helps his case too. Jack Studley reported that Eyssimont scored a natural hat trick in 1:43 on Friday night as Providence came back from two goals down to beat Hamilton 5-4 in regulation.
Mark Divver noted that Eyssimont has 13 goals on 42 shots this season, which is a lot of finishing for a player the Bruins left off the opening roster.
What Eyssimont's recall means for the Bruins lineup
Hagens was placed on injured reserve after the cross-check in Pittsburgh, and Marco Sturm said the center will be out a few weeks. Jim McBride reported the recall of Hagens' timeline under Sturm and noted that Eyssimont was not yet spotted at Saturday's practice.
So he is not in the room yet, and the Bruins have not said where he slots. Michael Eyssimont brings 269 NHL games of experience, which is why this call makes more sense than handing the job to someone green.
Boston sits first in the Atlantic at 12-4-1 and has won three straight. That is not a team in a hurry to change its identity, and a center with Eyssimont's hot hand fits a group that just beat Pittsburgh 6-2.
The test comes Sunday against the Panthers. Whether Eyssimont plays that night is the next thing to watch, and Sturm has not tipped his hand.
Quick hits
ST. LOUIS BLUESMason McTavish is a game-time decision for tonight's game in Nashville, according to Jeremy Rutherford's projected lineup. That is a name the Blues badly want in the lineup.
INJURYSammi Silber reported that Sandis Vilmanis of the Panthers was helped off the ice in the first period in Washington after a big hit from Tom Wilson. Florida will want an update quickly.
WASHINGTON CAPITALSSilber also reported that Wilson was ejected against the Panthers with a boarding major and a game misconduct. That hit cost his team its player for the night.
GOALIE WATCHBruce LeVine reported that Jake Oettinger is in the starters' net for the Stars against the Sharks tonight. No surprise there.
VANCOUVER CANUCKSThe Canucks posted their lineup for tonight in Edmonton with three words: "Same squad!" No changes, no drama.
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