With Anton Khudobin solidifying his spot as the backup to Tuukka Rask after an impressive preseason, the Bruins were put into a difficult spot with Malcolm Subban.

In order to be sent down to Providence of the American Hockey League, Subban would need to first clear waivers. After placing him on waivers Monday, general manager Don Sweeney and company had their fingers crossed, hoping no one would claim Subban.

Unfortunately, crossing fingers wasn’t enough to keep Subban in the Bruins organization as he was claimed by the Vegas Golden Knights.

As the 24th overall pick in the 2012 NHL entry draft, Subban never really took that next step. Subban played in one game for the Bruins last season where he allowed three goals on 16 shots in a loss to the Minnesota Wild. The 23-year-old Subban also appeared in one game during the 2014-15 season where he allowed three goals on six shots in a February loss to the St. Louis Blues.

Subban was left unprotected during the expansion draft this past June, but general manager George McPhee and the Golden Knights ultimately decided to select defenseman Colin Miller instead. Sweeney did admit that he and McPhee had discussions about Subban, among others, in regards to a trade in the days leading up to the Knights submitting their roster selections.

“Yeah, conversations about a bunch of different players that he may take, or we had conversations about, Malcolm was one of them,” Sweeney said Tuesday afternoon at Warrior Arena.

“I had my fingers crossed that it wasn’t going to happen. But that’s part of the business and we wish Malcolm success in the opportunity that he’s going to get. But it’s a loss for us.”

Knowing that the chances of losing Subban were high, Sweeney could have had trade discussions with other teams around the league in order to obtain some sort of compensation for the former first rounder. However, Sweeney says that did not happen.

“No, not particularly. Malcolm is a very talented player, but he’s not an established National Hockey League player as of right now,” Sweeney said in regards to talks with other teams about Subban. “So, there’s some forecasting that still has to be done with him. We were excited about the progression he’s taken the last little while and we were hopeful he would get through.”

For Sweeney and company, it’s undoubtedly frustrating to lose a player that was drafted as high as Subban was for nothing. With Subban now in Vegas, all of the Bruins’ first round draft picks between 2005 and 2013 are either playing elsewhere or out of the NHL completely.

“In a perfect world he’s playing for us still and that’s what you hope for,” added Sweeney. “You are investing a lot of time and energy, as is the player, and he’s invested into our hockey club. So, it’s a loss for us, it’s disappointing.”

After seeing the New York Islanders do it last season, the Bruins did discuss the option of rostering three goalies. But with a handful of new, young talent in the system, the Bruins felt they’re better off using that roster spot for some forward or defensive depth.

“We discussed it, just didn’t feel like it was the right situation for us internally and it’s a difficult one to manage,” said Sweeney. “Probably could have done it for a little while, but we felt we made the decision we had to make and moved forward.”

Rask has been here since Subban was drafted in 2012 and has gotten to know Subban very well. Finding out about the transaction minutes before meeting the media at the Bruins’ annual media day, Rask was sad to see a fellow goalie go but has no doubt that Subban is a good goalie.

“Yeah, I think he looked great. You know we were joking about his new pads, we were saying he looks like a goalie now with his news pads, and he even said it, too,” Rask joked.

“He looked bigger and fit in them really well. So I thought he was great and as you guys know, thought he was a great guy. Tough to see him go as he was a great character guy. But we wish him the best in the future because we think he’s going to be a good goalie for them.”

With Subban now no longer in the picture, Zane McIntyre becomes the Providence Bruins clear cut number one goalie. The former University of North Dakota standout had a 2.03 goals-against average and a .930 save percentage in 31 games with Providence last season. Goalie prospect Dan Vladar will serve as the P-Bruins backup.