WILMINGTON — With two or three jobs at the wing positions open on the Bruins roster, Jordan Caron ought to be the obvious candidate to fill one.
As a first-round draft choice (No. 25 overall) in 2009, the 23-year-old should be entering the prime of his career as a key contributor for the Bruins. Unfortunately for him and the team, of course, it hasn’t quite worked out as planned.
Over the past four seasons, Caron has never been able to play his way into the lineup on a consistent basis. In 123 career games, he has produced 12 goals and 16 assists. Indeed, for many observers it was a bit of a surprise that the B’s this summer qualified and re-signed the free agent.
Many believed it was time for the team to move on from the disappointing draft pick and also give the personable and hard-working Quebecer the opportunity to try and find a team for which he could play more. Yet here he is again with training camp set to open one week from today, excited about the chance to grab one of the open jobs and be more than a part-time, fill-in player.
“It’s the first time I think since I’ve been here there’s been this much (open) room,” Caron said after a captain’s practice this week at Ristuccia Arena. “It’s going to be interesting. It’s going to be a lot of battling. I’m ready for a challenge and ready to go.”