Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery reveals why the Bruins waived their off-season signee

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Austin Sabourin
October 26, 2024 (9:01 PM)

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Boston Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery just revealed why the Boston Bruins went and waived their off-season signee.

Riley Tufte's first stint with the Boston Bruins didn't last long.

Signed to a one-year deal this offseason, Tufte was placed on waivers by Boston on Saturday, aiming to send him to their AHL affiliate in Providence. The towering 6-foot-6, 230-pound winger appeared in just two games for the Bruins, with no points and two penalties to show for it.

Although Tufte's initial impact was limited, Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery suggested he could get another chance with the team this season.

«We want him to go down, get some ice time, get into games, and find his rhythm,» Montgomery said after the Bruins' morning skate on Saturday. «With the Boston Bruins, communication is always open. If he heads down and really stands out, there's a path back here for him.»

At 26, Tufte last hit the ice on October 16 against the Colorado Avalanche, logging only nine shifts in that game. While Boston won both games he played, Tufte finished with a minus-1 rating.

Right now, Boston's fourth line-featuring Johnny Beecher, Mark Kastelic, and Cole Koepke-has been performing well, leaving little space for Tufte in the lineup.

Tufte, a 2016 first-round draft pick, now heads to Providence to stay game-ready. Last season, he had a strong showing with the Avalanche's AHL team, tallying 23 goals and 22 assists over 67 games.

Was sending Riley Tufte down to the Providence Bruins the right move for Boston?