Boston Bruins demote a defenseman following recent acquisition

Viktor Arvidsson returned to the lineup last night after missing time with another injury, skating in Boston's 6-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens. His return marked a positive step, even if the result did not reflect it.

There was also encouraging news off the ice. Jonathan Aspirot skated with the team for the first time since suffering an injury on December 11 in Winnipeg. The 22-year-old defenseman has appeared in 19 games this season, recording one goal while handling mostly shutdown responsibilities.

Boston's improving health forced a roster decision. After claiming defenseman Vladislav Kolyachonok off waivers from the Dallas Stars late last week, the Bruins needed to create space. Kolyachonok made his debut against Montreal, and Victor Soderstrom was reassigned to the Providence Bruins.

Soderstrom, 24, appeared in eight games for Boston this season, posting one assist. He also played 18 games in Providence, where he registered one goal and eight assists for nine points. The timing was no coincidence, as he was just two games away from requiring waivers to be sent down again.

The Bruins are still searching for defensive stability after another rough stretch.

In their final six games before Christmas, Boston went 1-4-1. That skid dropped them from near the top of the Atlantic Division to 12th in the Eastern Conference and seventh in the division by points percentage. The fall has been steep.

The urgency only increases Saturday in Buffalo. A loss to the Sabres would allow Buffalo to pass Boston in the standings while still holding two games in hand. Toronto also sits four points back with two games in hand.

After Buffalo, the Bruins head west to face Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, and Seattle before returning home January 8. That trip could define the season.