Agreed, Merk sitting in minors is a bit ridiculous right now. JVR has been invisible and Lauko has been visible in a bad way.

Get him up and see what he can do with regular shifts on the 3rd, whether it’s at center or wing and find out if he’s an option.

If not maybe give Boqvist a bump up to 3rd LW at least.

Boqvist for 1C!!!

Is it ridiculous or is it just a numbers game? Bruins are already at a 23 man roster, so someone needs to go down. Only Lohrei & Beecher don't require waivers. Sweeney loves to carry as many d-men as possible so he's not going down. Beecher has been playing well, so no reason to send him down. You're only option is to waive someone like Lauko and hope he clears.

I’m well aware. Also well aware no need for 8 D right now with everyone healthy.

Send Lohrei down. Recall Merk. Give him a handful of games getting regular shifts, find out if he can contribute. Better to find out now than have to find out in the playoffs due to injuries.

You have 2 of 13 FWDs not contributing at all and 8 D on the roster. Simple math.

That's a fine approach, but its just not how Sweeney & company operate. They rather have 8 d-men on the roster unless they have a forward whose dinged up and they need an extra forward. The last time they brought up Merk they shoved him on the 4th line and played him for about 10 minutes a night. They'd probably do the same thing if they brought him up, which may not be best for him.