That means the B’s were taking one final look at the veteran winger, in camp on a professional tryout.
Purcell, 32, became an unrestricted free agent over the summer, spending most of last season in the AHL after starting the campaign with the Los Angeles Kings.
Purcell was only the fourth NHL veteran invited to camp on a tryout since Don Sweeney took over as the Boston's general manager in 2015, and the other three were all offered contracts — goalie Jonas Gustavsson (who played for Boston in 2015-16), forward Peter Mueller (AHL deal) and defenceman Christian Ehrhoff (turned down an NHL contract offer in 2016).
However, reading between the lines, it seems as if Purcell might be in tough. Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy told reporters after Saturday’s game, “I liked what he (Purcell) brings.
“But we’ve made an onus on trying to get some youth and speed in the lineup. If that’s the way we decide to go, then those guys will be ahead of him, but that’s a decision we'll make quickly.”