Boston Bruins make surprising roster move ahead of playoffs
The playoffs are a totally different game than the regular season, and as many hockey greats will say, "The regular season means nothing in the playoffs."
This doesn't ring more true to any professional hockey player than Chris Wagner right now.
The Massachusetts native was drafted in the fifth round (122nd overall) by the Anaheim Ducks back in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. He spent two full seasons in the AHL before making his NHL debut in the 2014-15 season.
Since then, Wagner has been a pretty steady NHL player amassing 358 games with the Ducks, Colorado Avalanche, New York Islanders and the Boston Bruins.
Until this season, Wagner spent the entire year with the Providence Bruins, where he played 62 games and collected 15 goals and 12 assists at the AHL level.
He was called up for his first NHL game of the season for the Bruins' final game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, as many regulars were resting for playoffs.
Wagner must have made quite the impression, though:
It must be an experience move as Wagner has played in the NHL postseason on six separate occasions, for a total of 56 games. He has collected 7 goals and 1 assist as a valuable depth player in his playoff career.
The move only comes as a surprise because Wagner was a full-time AHL player this season, while Marc McLaughlin seemed to have made a home in Boston.
Good for the veteran Chris Wagner for earning another chance to prove himself on the biggest stage, the Stanley Cup Playoffs!
