By Nancy Marrapese-Burrell, Globe Staff, 10/2/2001 s expected, the Bruins trimmed their roster yesterday. The surprise came not in the players sent to Providence or released, but in who was still here. The team has kept three goaltenders for the time being - Byron Dafoe, John Grahame , and Tim Thomas.
Thomas, who signed as a free agent Sept. 4, had a tremendous training camp. However, if the Bruins decide to keep Thomas to back up Dafoe instead of Grahame, they would have to send Grahame through waivers and risk losing him.
''There are only two nets so we won't have three goalies for long,'' said coach Robbie Ftorek. ''All that stuff that I don't understand nor care about [such as the waiver issue], it all factors in. It will all work its way out but right now we have three goalies.''
Dafoe and Thomas both finished the exhibition season undefeated. Dafoe had a 2-0-0 record, a 1.85 goals-against average, and .911 save percentage. Thomas was 3-0-0 with a 2.04 GAA and .934 save percentage. Grahame absorbed all three of Boston's losses (0-3-0) with a 2.76 GAA and .899 save percentage.
Andrew Raycroft, who was one of two netminders officially assigned to Providence yesterday, was the only Bruins' goalie not to surrender a goal in the preseason. He earned no decisions in 50 minutes of work. Officially assigned to Providence, in addition to Raycroft, were: goaltender Jeff Maund; defensemen Bobby Allen, Vratislav Cech , Jonathan Girard , Chris Kelleher , Zdenek Kutlak , Denis Timofeev and Eric Van Acker. Also; forwards Chris Berti, Carl Corazzini , Greg Crozier , Lee Goren , Andy Hilbert , Ivan Huml , Mattias Karlin , Eric Manlow , Marcel Rodman , Tony Tuzzolino , and Jeff Zehr. The club also announced it released forwards Stu Bodtker, Mike Sylvia , and Joe Hulbig and defenseman Ed Hill.
Left wing Jay Henderson, who underwent knee surgery prior to camp, and defenseman Richard Jackman, who suffered a separated shoulder during an exhibition game in Montreal Sept. 21, remain with the team as non-roster players during their rehabilitation.
Bigger issues It proved to be a stressful day for two members of the Bruins. Right wing Bill Guerin had to leave the rink before practice because of a family emergency. Assistant coach Wayne Cashman, who was hampered by back problems earlier in camp, also was absent because his wife was ill. ''It has not been a good day for us,'' said Ftorek. ''[Hockey] is very insignificant compared to the kids and the wives. You have to make sure everybody is fine.'' ... The team has a day off today and will get back to work tomorrow in Wilmington in preparation for the season opener against Anaheim Thursday, which will be preceded by a ceremony honoring Ray Bourque.