Wheeler in 'first' gear

Rookie makes case for his roster spot

Blake Wheeler picked up his first goal in a Bruins sweater last night, and because it's still the preseason, that "first" likely won't even make the cut when his career highlights are compiled.

Truth is, with only a week remaining in Boston's exhibition season, the 22-year-old winger is more concerned about making it through the last round of roster cuts.

"When I get comfortable out there, and hold on to the puck more, I think I will start to see more on the ice," said Wheeler, following the Bruins' 4-3 loss to the Washington Capitals yesterday at the Garden.

"I'll start to see more guys getting open. I think once I'm able to add that element to my game, I'll be even more productive."

Wheeler, signed as a free agent in July after not coming to contract terms with Phoenix, the club that picked him No. 5 overall in 2004, played 14 minutes 42 seconds, riding regularly on a line with Patrice Bergeron and Marco Sturm.

Wheeler was on right wing most of the contest, but has also played the left side this preseason, which could put heat on veterans Peter Schaefer and P.J. Axelsson when it comes time to cut down to 13 or 14 forwards.

"I am not sure that he's surprised us," said Bruins coach Claude Julien.

"He's a modest individual who doesn't give himself enough credit, publicly. That's OK. Modesty is great . . . don't talk about it, show us."

Wheeler has a goal and two assists in his three games. He has tipped the scale in his favor, meaning he now has to prove he doesn't belong on the team, which is yet another of those highlights that won't show up someday in the fine print of his career record.

Season to trim
Prior to faceoff, the Bruins trimmed 10 players from their roster, leaving 34 Black-and-Gold candidates still standing.

The cuts included a pair of defensemen, Mike Egener and Ryan Stokes, both of whom will be assigned to Providence (AHL) if they clear waivers. Meanwhile, two other blueliners - Andrew Bodnarchuk and Adam McQuaid - were delivered directly to the Providence roster, along with forwards Zach Hamill, Mikko Lehtonen, Brad Marchand, and Matt Marquardt. Former University of New Hampshire netminder Kevin Regan also was sent to the WannaB's.

Winger Jordan Knackstedt was released but has been invited to try to make the Providence roster.

Some 90 minutes after the loss, the Bruins made three more moves, including the demotion of forwards Martins Karsums and Byron Bitz to Providence. The Bruins also waived defenseman Johnny Boychuk. If another NHL team doesn't claim him, Boychuk will be assigned to Providence.

All in all, 31 players will board the bus later today for a couple of days of training and team bonding in Stowe, Vt.

Fernandez sore
Manny Fernandez, who hurt a thumb and middle finger in the pregame skate Friday and was unable to suit up for the Bruins' 2-1 win over the Red Wings, was not available to the media. The veteran goalie's setback, said Julien, no doubt was frustrating for the former Wild goaltender, who missed virtually all of last season, ultimately surrendering to knee surgery in December.

"He is better today, better today, so there is reason for optimism there," said Julien, who nonetheless conveyed a mood of cautious optimism. "We don't have the final [test] results yet . . . but he was in this morning and he seemed a lot better. I am sure he is frustrated. He wanted to get back, and he worked hard all summer, and here this happens to him in the warmup. I am sure he is wondering, 'What's next?' He has to keep his spirits up and get over the hump soon."

Fortunately, added Julien, "We have good depth."

In his postgame comments, Julien added that tests revealed Fernandez did not suffer a fracture. It is likely, the coach said, that Fernandez can begin practicing by midweek.

Big step awaits
Team captain Zdeno Chara, recovering from shoulder surgery, said he remains hopeful that he can play in at least one exhibition tuneup. "I really want to play before the regular season starts," said Big Z. "It's not much [playing in one game], but it's better than nothing. It helps with timing, speed, and tempo, and making those split-second decisions that you have to make out there. You don't have to face those in practice." . . . The Capitals finished with a slight edge at the faceoff dot, winning 28 of 52 draws. They also outhit the Bruins, 37-28, with Christopher Bourque (winning goal, one assist) leading the way with six hits. Milan Lucic led the hit parade (5) for the Bruins, tying him with former Bruin Milan Jurcina, the Scoring Machina . . . Wheeler and Andrew Ference each scored in the first period for a temporary 2-1 lead, which was erased when Boyd Gordon scored before intermission. Tomas Fleischman's second-period goal was negated in the third by Petteri Nokelainen, but Bourque's power-play goal with 2:15 left in regulation sealed the deal . . . All-world winger Alex Ovechkin did not suit up for the Caps . . . The announced crowd of 13,660 looked to be inflated by some 3,000 . . . Patrice Bergeron, playing in his first Garden game since being carried out on a stretcher last Oct. 27, picked up the lone assist on Wheeler's goal. Bergeron generated the scoring drive, picking off a pass in the neutral zone and triggering the transition.