Bruins Assign Sobotka to Providence

[blackngold]

BOSTON, MA - Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced today that the club has assigned Vladimir Sobotka to their American Hockey League affiliate, the Providence Bruins.

Selected by the Bruins in the fourth round (106th overall) in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, Sobotka has split the last two seasons between Boston and Providence. With Boston, he has appeared in 73 regular season games, recording two goals and 10 assists. With Providence, he has registered 30-34-64 totals in 62 regular season games.

Sobotka skated in seven games with Boston this preseason and tallied 1-1-2 totals.

[Ray77]

Sobotka hasn't really impressed me,I know he is still young, but I'd like to see Brad Marchand called up before Vlad,if need be during the season.Marchand plays with a bit more fire,and they are roughly the same size,age and centers,Sobotka is just not quite NHL ready yet.

[bigjohnson]

From what little action I have seen from Marchand, I would say I would prefer Sobotka. Marchand is more of an agitator.

Vlad isnt afraid to play physical. He is more of a skill guy, potential to be a 2nd-3rd line center. Right now, if he was with Boston, it would be as a 4th liner. He would play well. I like Sobotka a lot.

[blackngold]

Originally Posted by Ray77

Marchand plays with a bit more fire,and they are roughly the same size,age and centers,Sobotka is just not quite NHL ready yet.

This is just simply not true. Sobotka is like a little train out there. He's tiny, but he hits everything and stands up for himself when he has to. He had 5 fights in Providence last season, not bad for a player known more for his offensive game.
He led Boston in hits in at least 2 of the preseason games he played.

[Orr4]

After reading the paper this morning I thought he had made the team.

[Ray77]

Originally Posted by blackngold

This is just simply not true. Sobotka is like a little train out there. He's tiny, but he hits everything and stands up for himself when he has to. He had 5 fights in Providence last season, not bad for a player known more for his offensive game.
He led Boston in hits in at least 2 of the preseason games he played.

I agree,he does hit and is solid on skates,but 1 goal in 25 games with the big club,albeit probably only gets 10 mins ice time,but a guy with his skill set needs to produce a bit more for a guy they seemed pretty high on last year

[McLovin]

If I can't have Lefebvre, then I would take Sobotka over Marchand and Hamill. But I guess they can always switch Hunwick to forward if they really need a 13th forward.

[blackngold]

Originally Posted by Ray77

I agree,he does hit and is solid on skates,but 1 goal in 25 games with the big club,albeit probably only gets 10 mins ice time,but a guy with his skill set needs to produce a bit more for a guy they seemed pretty high on last year

He's not gonna produce much when skating on a line when on the 4th line with Thornton, Bitz, Yelle, whomever.
The talent is there, which is why I was excited to see him on the 2nd line to start the season, but then Krejci healed up quicker than expected. No sense on putting a skilled forward on the 4th line, unless you want him to play a 4th line-style of game.

[bigjohnson]

This just seems a bit weird. I wonder if the Bruins made a waiver claim that is taking sometime to come public. Only having 12 forwards seems a bit strange, especially since having Sobotka up doesnt put them over the salary cap.

[blackngold]

Originally Posted by bigjohnson

This just seems a bit weird. I wonder if the Bruins made a waiver claim that is taking sometime to come public. Only having 12 forwards seems a bit strange, especially since having Sobotka up doesnt put them over the salary cap.

It does seem a bit strange, but I guess they'd just rather have Sobotka play rather than sit in the press box.

Also, unlike the past hundred years, the B's are starting with a homestand this season, so if a replacement player is needed he'll be just a couple hours away.

[Ray77]

Originally Posted by bigjohnson

This just seems a bit weird. I wonder if the Bruins made a waiver claim that is taking sometime to come public. Only having 12 forwards seems a bit strange, especially since having Sobotka up doesnt put them over the salary cap.

Good point!Any idea how much cap room they have left this year?

[blackngold]

Originally Posted by Ray77

Good point!Any idea how much cap room they have left this year?

$1.2
http://nhlnumbers.com/overview.php?team=BOS&season=0910

[Ray77]

Thanks blackngold,I thought it was somewre around there but wasn't sure.Now the question is, who on the waiver wire could they be looking at in that price range if thats the case?

[bigjohnson]

Originally Posted by Ray77

Thanks blackngold,I thought it was somewre around there but wasn't sure.Now the question is, who on the waiver wire could they be looking at in that price range if thats the case?

I dont know. But I only saw that because carrying 12 forwards seems a bit strange. But, as BNG said, they are opening the season at home, so if a call up is necessary, Providence is close.

[bigjohnson]

GM Peter Chiarelli explained that by assigning Vladimir Sobotka to Providence, the Bruins can save some cap dollars as they start 2009-10. As expected, Sobotka didn't like the news.

"He was upset. He was upset," Chiarelli said. "He understood, but he was upset. It's happening all across the league. These things happen. He's a good competitor. I think he showed in the second half of camp that he can play at this level. You'll be seeing him again."

Because the Bruins start with a five-game homestand, it would be no problem to bring Sobotka back up in case of injury. They would have most likely carried Sobotka had they started the season with a five-game road trip.

LINK

I can see why Sobotka is upset.

Say he makes $500,000. That means he makes $6,100 a game. If he misses 5 games, he stands to lose over $30,000. Sucks for Vlad big time.