Navrin Mutter is heading to waivers as Boston Bruins head coach Marco Sturm continues shaping his roster ahead of the season.
The Bruins placed the 25-year-old forward on waivers, putting his immediate future in Boston's organization through the NHL waiver process.
Mutter joined the Bruins last season in a trade with the Nashville Predators. Boston acquired him in exchange for forwards Dalton Bancroft and Massimo Rizzo.
His identity has never been built around offense. The 6-foot-3 forward brings a physical, high-energy style designed for a bottom-six or depth role.
If Mutter clears waivers, Providence remains the natural destination. He can give the Bruins' AHL affiliate an experienced energy forward capable of bringing an edge every night.
Last season, Mutter played 39 AHL games between the Milwaukee Admirals and Providence, recording 1 goal, 1 assist and 95 penalty minutes.
Bruins make a decision on their forward depth
The waiver move also gives Boston another opportunity to sort through its depth options as Sturm works toward the group he wants available when the regular season begins.
Mutter's previous season with Milwaukee followed a similar pattern. In 2024-25, he produced 1 goal and 5 points across 40 games while accumulating 91 penalty minutes.
His offensive production has remained limited, but that has never been the main part of his game. Mutter's value comes from his willingness to play through contact and bring energy to the lineup.
Over 161 career AHL games with Stockton, Milwaukee and Providence, Mutter has collected 5 goals, 16 assists and 21 points.
He has also accumulated 322 penalty minutes during that five-season AHL stretch, underlining the type of role he has consistently filled.
Mutter has yet to appear in an NHL game, and this waiver decision makes his path to Boston even more crowded heading into the season.
For the Bruins, the move is another roster cut with a clear consequence: Mutter now needs to clear waivers before Boston can send him back to Providence.
Will Navrin Mutter eventually earn an NHL opportunity with the Boston Bruins?
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