Wednesday: Gabrielle has cleared waivers.
Tuesday: The Boston Bruins have placed forward Jesse Gabrielle on unconditional waivers according to CapFriendly, for the purpose of a contract termination. Gabrielle’s season ended early after suffering another concussion in March, his third head injury since training camp. The 21-year old had another year left on his entry-level contract, but he will become an unrestricted free agent instead.
Gabrielle, 21, played this entire season in the ECHL and was even loaned to the Wichita Thunder—affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers—partway through the year. It seems as though the relationship between him and the Bruins has frayed at some point, and he’ll now need to find another opportunity if he wants to continue his hockey career.
The Bruins meanwhile will save a contract spot for next season and no longer have to pay his minor league salary. Originally selected in the fourth round, the team will just have to move on from the missed opportunity and look elsewhere for contributions. This is just another unfortunate outcome from what has turned out to be a frustrating 2015 draft class for the Bruins. The team had six picks in the first two rounds and ten total, but only have Jake Debrusk and Brandon Carlo to show for it as full-time NHL players.