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Bruins' Tommy Cross: Shipped south to AHL Providence

The 28-year-old blueliner was briefly recalled in order to suit up for Boston's final preseason tilt Saturday. Now that Cross is back in Providence, he's likely to spend the entirety of 2017-18 with the AHL squad that he captains.

Bruins' Tommy Cross: Returns to NHL roster

The veteran AHLer has already been exposed to the waiver wire this preseason, so it's highly unlikely that Cross will remain with Boston when the regular season. A solid defender, Cross will be a depth option for the Bruins, but doesn't project to be much more.

Bruins' Tommy Cross: Waived Monday

The former Boston College Eagle enjoyed the best professional season of his career in 2016-17, scoring 12 goals and 35 points in 74 games as Providence's captain. Cross also recorded an assist in a single postseason appearance for Boston last year when the NHL club was hard hit by injuries to the blue line. Though it's not out of the realm of possibility for Cross to return to the NHL level in the future, the Bruins' organizational depth at the position has improved with the emergence of youngsters like Charlie McAvoy, Matt Grzelyck and Jeremy Lauzon -- presenting additional roadblocks to a full-time NHL spot for Cross.

Bruins' Tommy Cross: Signs one-year deal

Since being selected in the second round of the 2007 NHL Draft, Cross has appeared in just three regular-season NHL contests, garnering a lone helper in that span. The 27-year-old has been a steady blue-line presence for AHL Providence for the past several seasons and is coming off a 2016-17 campaign in which he posted a career-high 35 points. Cross is not especially likely to land regular duty with the big club in 2017-18, but when injuries hit, he'll be a candidate for recall.

Bruins' Tommy Cross: In line to sit out Game 4

With the team's defensive corps hit hard by injuries, Cross drew into the B's lineup Monday against the Sens, logging a helper over 13:08 worth of ice time. He'll now watch from the press box unless or until another injury opens up a lineup slot.