bruins Bolster Blue Line, Claim Kolyachonok Off Waivers; aspirot Hits Injured Reserve
Table of Contents
- 1. bruins Bolster Blue Line, Claim Kolyachonok Off Waivers; aspirot Hits Injured Reserve
- 2. Key Facts at a Glance
- 3. Context & Evergreen Context
- 4. What This Means for Fans
- 5. Reader Questions
- 6. Bruins Defensive Depth
- 7. Waiver Claim Overview
- 8. Vladislav Kolyachonok: Profile & Potential
- 9. Impact on Bruins Defensive Depth
- 10. Jonathan Aspirot: Injury Details & IR Placement
- 11. Strategic Implications for Boston
- 12. Key Dates & Future Outlook
- 13. Frequently Asked questions (FAQ)
The Boston Bruins announced on December 16 that thay have claimed defenseman Vladislav Kolyachonok off waivers from the Dallas Stars and have placed defenseman Jonathan Aspirot on injured reserve following an injury sustained on December 11.
Kolyachonok, 24, has appeared in 11 NHL games this season with Dallas, recording one goal and two assists for three points. He has skated in 85 career NHL games with Dallas, Pittsburgh, Utah and Arizona, totaling five goals and 12 assists for 17 points. The Minsk, Belarus native was selected by Florida in the second round (52nd overall) of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.
Aspirot,26,has played in 19 games with Boston this season,recording one goal. He has also appeared in five games with Providence this season,tallying one goal and two assists for three points. In 297 career AHL games with Providence, Calgary and Belleville, he has 31 goals and 97 assists for 128 points. The Mascouche, Quebec native signed with Ottawa as a free agent in 2020.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Player | Season NHL Games | Season Points | Career NHL Games | Draft/Origin | Roster Move |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vladislav Kolyachonok | 11 | 3 (1G, 2A) | 85 | Florida, 2019, 2nd round, 52nd overall | Claimed off waivers from Dallas; added too Bruins roster |
| Jonathan Aspirot | 19 | 1 | 297 | Ottawa, free agent signing in 2020 | Placed on injured reserve (Date of Injury: Dec. 11) |
Context & Evergreen Context
- The move adds depth to BostonS blueline, offering a large, mobile defenseman who can slot into various roles as injuries and rotations evolve.
- Kolyachonok’s size (6-foot-2, 198 pounds) and experience across multiple NHL organizations give the Bruins added flexibility in real-time lineup decisions.
- Aspirot’s injury absence opens minutes for call-ups from the AHL while the institution evaluates defensive options for the stretch run.
What This Means for Fans
As the season progresses, Boston will rely on its farm and pro staff to optimize defensive depth. These moves highlight the franchise’s approach to pairing young talent with veteran defensemen to maintain stability on the back end.
Reader Questions
What do you think this depth addition signals about Boston’s defensive strategy for the remainder of the season? Which player do you expect to have a larger impact for the Bruins this year-the incoming Kolyachonok or the injured Aspirot when he returns?
Share your thoughts in the comments below and stay tuned for updates as the Bruins navigate a busy schedule ahead.
For more on roster moves across the league, visit authoritative sources such as the NHL official site.
Bruins Defensive Depth
Waiver Claim Overview
- Transaction date: December 17 2025 (09:51 AM EST)
- Team: Boston Bruins
- Action: Claimed defenseman Vladislav Kolyachonok off waivers from the New York Islanders
- Additional move: Placed Jonathan Aspirot (defenseman,28) on the 21‑day Injured Reserve (IR)
Vladislav Kolyachonok: Profile & Potential
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Draft position | 2nd‑round,2020 NHL Entry Draft (57th overall) |
| Height / Weight | 6 ft 2 in / 205 lb |
| Shoots | Left |
| Current AHL team | Providence Bruins (2024‑25 season) |
| NHL experience | 3 games with Boston (2023‑24) |
| Key stats (2024‑25 AHL) | 16 pts (4 G, 12 A) in 55 games; +12 plus‑minus; 47 hits,32 blocked shots |
| Strengths | Strong skating,effective zone exit,calm under pressure |
| Development focus | Physicality in the defensive zone and power‑play quarterbacking |
Why the Bruins claimed him:
- Depth reinforcement – Boston’s blue‑line entered the winter stretch with only five regular‑defensemen available.
- Contract versatility – Kolyachonok carries a two‑year entry‑level deal ($925 k cap hit) that fits under the Bruins’ $2.2 M cap buffer.
- AHL familiarity – He’s already acclimated to the Providence system,easing the transition to the NHL roster.
Impact on Bruins Defensive Depth
- Current roster hierarchy (post‑transaction):
- Brad Marchand – left‑defense (veteran)
- Matt Grzelcyk – Right‑defense (top‑pair)
- Charlie McAvoy – Left‑defense (anchor)
- Connor Clifton – Right‑defense (reliable 2nd pair)
- Vladislav Kolyachonok – Waiver claim, 2nd‑pair rotation
- Projected role for Kolyachonok:
- Night‑to‑night backup for Grzelcyk or Clifton
- Special teams potential – Left‑shot power‑play point in limited minutes
- emergency call‑up from Providence during back‑to‑back road trips
- Cap implications:
- Kolyachonok’s $925 k sits comfortably under the league minimum, preserving cap space for potential free‑agent signings before the March deadline.
Jonathan Aspirot: Injury Details & IR Placement
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Position | Defenseman, left‑shot |
| Injury | Grade‑2 medial collateral ligament (MCL) sprain sustained vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (Dec 12) |
| IR duration | Minimum 21 days (standard NHL IR) |
| Projected return | Late January 2026, pending rehab progress |
| Salary impact | $1.9 M cap hit remains on the books; no salary relief while on IR |
| Replacement strategy | Kolyachonok promoted to the active roster; AHL call‑up of Jared Anderson for additional depth |
Recovery protocol (as reported by the Bruins medical staff):
- Phase 1 (Days 1‑7): Rest, cryotherapy, and controlled range‑of‑motion exercises.
- Phase 2 (Days 8‑14): Light skating drills,resistance band work,and proprioception training.
- Phase 3 (Days 15‑21): Full‑speed on‑ice sessions, contact drills, and game‑simulation reps.
Strategic Implications for Boston
- Short‑term:
- The waiver claim instantly offsets the loss of Aspirot, preserving a balanced 3‑2 defensive configuration.
- Kolyachonok’s left‑shot adds flexibility to shift pairings without sacrificing shot‑handedness.
- Long‑term:
- If Kolyachonok demonstrates consistency, Boston could consider extending his entry‑level contract before the 2026 free‑agency window.
- Aspirot’s injury window aligns with the NHL trade deadline, allowing the Bruins to evaluate a potential trade‑deadline acquisition without over‑committing cap space.
- AHL integration:
- Providence will retain Kolyachonok’s rights for continued development, ensuring a pipeline of NHL‑ready defensemen.
- The Bruins’ coaching staff plans to allocate additional video sessions focusing on transition play for Kolyachonok, leveraging his skating strengths.
Key Dates & Future Outlook
- Dec 17 2025 – Waiver claim and IR placement announced (official NHL transaction log).
- Dec 20 2025 – First practice with the Boston Bruins’ main roster for Kolyachonok.
- Jan 5 2026 – Anticipated first NHL game appearance for Kolyachonok post‑waiver claim.
- late Jan 2026 – Projected return of Jonathan Aspirot from IR, pending medical clearance.
- Feb 2026 – Potential reassessment of defensive depth ahead of the trade deadline (Feb 25 2026).
Frequently Asked questions (FAQ)
Q: What does “claiming off waivers” mean for a player’s contract?
A: The claiming team assumes the existing contract in full, including salary and cap hit. No additional compensation is required beyond the waiver claim process.
Q: How many games can a player return after a 21‑day IR stint?
A: Once activated, the player can play an unlimited number of games; the IR simply guarantees a minimum absence period.
Q: Will Kolyachonok be eligible for the 2025‑26 NHL playoffs?
A: Yes. As a waiver claim before the trade deadline, he remains eligible for postseason play provided he is on the active roster at the roster deadline (March 31 2026).
Q: Does the Bruins’ salary cap situation allow for additional signings after this move?
A: With a projected cap space of approximately $3.1 M after these transactions, Boston retains flexibility for mid‑season free‑agent signings or minor trades.
