(Photo Credits: Eric Canha / Imagin Images)

By: Ryan Jainchill | Follow me on Twitter / X @Jainchill_Ryan

The Boston Bruins have activated defenseman Hampus Lindholm from injured reserve and assigned defenseman Michael Callahan to AHL Providence, the team announced today. This move comes just hours before the second half of a back-to-back for the Bruins, who lost their seventh contest in their last eight, falling 7-2 to the Ottawa Senators last night.

Lindholm, who has only appeared in three games for the Bruins this season, was placed on IR on October 26th retroactive to an injury suffered on October 9th. After spending the majority of last season on the long-term injured reserve with a lower-body injury, Lindholm was injured in the Bruins’ 4-3 overtime victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. He did return in the middle of the Bruins’ road trip, drawing into the lineup in the team’s 4-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche.

Head Coach Marco Sturm said the 31-year-old Helsingborg, Sweden native’s injury was not the same as the one he suffered last season. Lindholm was a game-time decision for many of the Bruins’ matchups during the team’s game losing streak before being placed on IR. With his activation, the IR stint for defenseman Jordan Harris and the subsequent move of Callahan to Providence, Lindholm looks to return to the lineup either tonight or later this week.

Callahan, who was recalled when Harris was placed on IR on October 22nd, appeared in three games for the Bruins. He did not record a point in the three matchups and was minus-2. The Franklin, Massachusetts native averaged 16:27 time on ice in the contests with the Anaheim Ducks, Colorado and Ottawa in the last week, playing primarily bottom-four minutes alongside Henri Jokiharju and Andrew Peeke. He returns to a Providence team off to a 6-0-0 start to the 2025-26 AHL season.

In the first month of play, injuries to the left side of the Bruins’ defense have contributed to the defensive struggles that have plagued the team. The return of a healthy Lindholm should aid with that, as having a veteran player back in the lineup helps to stabilize this unit. The Bruins conclude the back-to-back tonight when they host 2025 first overall selection Matthew Schaefer and the New York Islanders (4-3-1), with puck drop set for 7:15 as part of the Frozen Frenzy, where all 32 teams are in action.