Boston’s secondary-scoring woes don’t appear to be subsiding any time soon, especially with a mismatched bottom-six corps still struggling to find its footing.
Of the six skaters that constituted Boston’s third and fourth lines during Tuesday’s loss against the Panthers, only three — Joakim Nordstrom, David Backes and Chris Wagner — have tallied at least two goals in five-on-five play.
Danton Heinen and Sean Kuraly have only managed to light the lamp once apiece during 5v5, while Noel Acciari has not lit the lamp during a span of 235:21 5v5 TOI.
In desperate need of a spark down low, the Bruins turned to the waiver wire in order to nab a player that might not grab headlines, but does have the tools to be a welcome addition to Boston’s bottom-six.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported Thursday afternoon that the Bruins claimed Stars forward Gemel Smith off waivers after Dallas put the 24-year-old skater up for grabs on Wednesday.
Had Smith not be selected by another team in 24 hours, he would have been reassigned to the Stars’ AHL affiliate in Cedar Park.
The team is a family and it's never easy seeing someone leave.
Gemel Smith says goodbye to his teammates after being claimed off waivers by the Boston Bruins this morning. pic.twitter.com/OchvtO2AKZ
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) December 6, 2018