Rumor: Bruins forward has lost his roster spot due to injury.

A young National Hockey League hopeful may have just had his shot of making the main roster crushed due to injury. 

Boston Bruins forward Anders Bjork has had a a rough time in both training camp and the preseason due to the fact that he has effectively been sidelined by a nagging shoulder injury. In spite of that injury however is seemed likely that given both his performance during the 2017 - 2018 National Hockey League regular season as well as his current development would have made it relatively easy for him tot secure a more permanent roster spot but it now sounds like that will in fact not the be the case.

A new report from Boston Bruins insider Joe Haggerty has now indicated that Bjork has fallen down the depth chart in the eyes of the Bruins organization. In fact according to Haggerty while Bjork has been stuck sitting on the sidelines during the preseason two other young Bruins forwards have seemingly moved ahead of him and are now far more likely to claim one of the open spots on the wing that Bjork is. Those two players according to Haggerty are 23 year old center Danton Heinen as well as as popular Bruins rookie center, 22 year old Ryan Donato.

In spite of the fact that Haggerty believes that Bjork is no longer likely to make the roster it does sound like he still has a shot, even if it is a long shit, assuming that he can get medical clearance on time to participate in the preaseason. Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy revealed that Bjork does have an upcoming meeting with doctor's where he could potentially receive clearance to begin playing in real games again. That being said though Cassidy also indicated that Bjork was unlikely to make the team without any opportunities to showcase himself in the preseason.

“He’s kind of been in the practices and held out here or there. If I’m not mistaken he’s got an appointment tomorrow that might clarify a little more of where the next step is for him,” saidRyan Donato  as per NBC Sports. “Hopefully that leads to some games for him because it’s tough to make the team if you don’t play any exhibition games if you’re in his position. [Bergeron] is a different animal and [Torey Krug] too because they’ve both been here, but for Bjork he’s probably going to need to play some games. Hopefully he gets that opportunity.”

There are some positive signs for Bjork prior to heading into this doctor's appointment however and that may be an indication that he will in fact be cleared. Bjork participated in some contact drills at Bruins practice at Warrior Ice Arena on Sunday and that would seemingly indicate that at least he believes he feels a lot better.

“I’m feeling good. I’m still technically not cleared for games at this point, which is a little bit frustrating to be honest with you,” said Bjork. “I think the doctors have experience with this and they’re smart, so I have trust in them and trust in the coaching staff as well. It’s good to get a little antsy to play, and that’s building up with me for sure. We’re in the thick of camp, so I’m excited to get things going.”

If this does cost him his roster spot it's hard not to feel for the young forward.