BREAKING: Bruins place veteran former first-rounder on waivers

The Bruins have placed winger  on waivers to assign him to AHL Providence, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.

This move is expected, as Tufte, 26, has had limited playing time since the season began. Signed to a one-way, league-minimum contract in the offseason, he made the opening night roster but has been a healthy scratch in six of the team’s eight games. When he has played, the 6’6″, 230-pound forward has struggled to make an impact, averaging just 8:08 per game with a -1 rating and three hits, and he hasn’t yet registered a shot attempt.

A former first-round pick by the Stars in 2016, Tufte has only 20 NHL games under his belt with Dallas, Colorado, and Boston, with two goals and one assist. Last year, he posted career highs with 23 goals, 45 points, and 91 penalty minutes in 67 AHL games with Colorado. The Bruins had hoped this production would carry over to an effective fourth-line role, but it hasn’t panned out.

If Tufte clears waivers, he’ll be sent to the minors, freeing up a roster spot the Bruins may use to sign Tyler Johnson, who remains with the team on a professional tryout.