Chris Bourque Has Cleared Waivers, Jordan Caron Recalled to Boston

After some Bruins fans were biting their nails hoping that someone from the Ray Bourque bloodline would play for Boston again, Ray's son, Chris, has officially cleared waivers and will be placed in Providence, keeping the dream alive.

In his stead, Jordan Caron has been recalled from the AHL affiliate, joining Lane Macdermid and Jay Pandolfo as candidates to fill out the struggling third line in Boston.  Caron has put up 10-5-15 totals in 48 games for the P-Bruins, but has experience playing alongside Chris Kelly and Rich Peverley.

After a much needed win against division opponents Toronto Thursday night, the Bruins are looking to get things back in the right track, and while step number one should be getting their power play in order, a high priority is still figuring out what can be done about the third line troubles.

Chris Bourque Put on Waivers, Bruins Hope He Makes it to Providence

One of the newest Bruins in the lockout-shortened season, Chris Bourque has underwhelmed so far this season with just one goal and three assists in 18 games played.  While the NHL season had yet to begin, Bourque dazzled in 32 games for Providence, scoring eight goals with 20 assists.  In the Bruins' ideal world, Bourque would be back in Providence, getting his mind right for another stint in the big leagues down the road, but there's one problem.

Waivers.

The winger is being optioned back to the AHL affiliate, but must clear waivers for the move to be completed, leaving room for the possibility of another team to pick him up.  Bourque was traded last offseason from the Washington Capitals for forward Zach Hamill, so it wouldn't kill the Bruins to see him go, but for the son of Ray Bourque to put up a poor showing like that in Boston is not how anyone wants his tenure here to end.

Bourque found a home on the B's third line flanked by Rich Peverley and centered by alternate captain Chris Kelly, but the line has combined for only 15 points on the season.  His minus-6 rating out-shined his three power play assists with the second unit, and couldn't seem to find a place.  His playing style was fast and gritty, but with a solid energy line in Gregory Campbell, Shawn Thornton and Daniel Paille (who Bourque has most resembled this season) meshing his energy with his linemates has been difficult.

The Bruins have recently-signed Jay Pandolfo to fill in for Bourque already.  Pandolfo has won two Stanley Cup rings, and will look to be a new veteran presence, much like Mark Recchi was in the 2011 season, but the question still remains of how this third line will be paired up.

Josh Beckett Placed on Waivers, Finally

CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman has reported that the Red Sox have put pitcher Josh Beckett on waivers.

Heyman's report also indicates that there is not a lot of interest in Beckett across the league.  If that rings true and Beckett goes unclaimed, the Red Sox will be able to explore trade possibilities before the August 31st deadline.

If a team does go for Beckett, however, they will either pick up the rest of his contract through 2014 -- which he is owed nearly $32 million -- or work out a trade with the Sox.  If neither of those possibilities work, the Red Sox can always pull him back off waivers.

It's tough to say if this really means anything, or if this move will be a wake up call for Beckett or not.  At this stage, the way he carries himself makes it seem like there is no urgency in his play, and that he just doesn't care how he pitches.  They got rid of Kevin Youkilis and that didn't work, so hopefully they can dump Beckett and go into remission the rest of the season.