Bruins Inject Youth Into Roster With Series Of Transactions

The Bruins made moves before the trade deadline… just not with anyone else.

Boston recalled forwards Georgii Merkulov and Jeffrey Viel, and defenseman Ian Mitchell from AHL-Providence on Friday, as announced by general manager Don Sweeney. The B’s needed to make room for the moves and assigned forwards Riley Tufte and Oliver Wahlstrom and defenseman Michael Callahan to Providence.

Merkulov, 24, will get another crack at the NHL, having already appeared in three games this season with the big club. Providence has primarily been his home over the last three years, where he’s skated in 189 career games and notched 68 goals and 101 assists for 169 points.

Mitchell, 26, and Viel, 28, are still waiting to make their season debuts for Boston.

Tufte, Wahlstrom and Callahan could all make their way back to the NHL, but for now, will wait things out in the AHL.

The B’s return to the ice on Saturday, as they’ll visit the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena.