However, long before this trend gripped the AHL, Boston had already established such a set-up with Providence.
The capital of Rhode Island, an AHL stronghold until the 1970s, returned to the pro hockey ranks in 1992 when the Bruins moved their affiliate there. The Boston-Providence affiliation has gone on to become the longest uninterrupted such partnership in the AHL at 26 seasons.
Bruins general manager Don Sweeney has relied heavily on Providence to cushion the effects of injuries to several key players in the first month of the season. Through Tuesday, there have been 26 transactions involving eight players between Boston and Providence.
Bruins forward Danton Heinen is one of those players. He has eight points (goal, seven assists) in four games with Providence and seven points (two goals, five assists) in nine NHL games.
A fresh set of eyes from outside the organization can offer a different perspective and Providence has that in goalie Jordan Binnington, who is on loan from the St. Louis Blues.
Despite the roster upheaval, rookie coach Jay Leach has Providence off to a solid start in the very deep Eastern Conference. Providence is 7-4-0-0 with a .636 points percentage that is tied for sixth in the league.
Binnington (6-1, 174 pounds) is 2-1-0 with a 1.67 goals-against average and a .943 save percentage in a key role with Zane McIntyre a regular on the Boston-Providence shuttle.
"[Leach] has been through the [battles] and understands what it's like to be in any position in this league," Binnington said. "He is transparent and good with communication. It's straight-up, and I respect that a lot. I think that's what people need to hear."
Providence has been a stepping stone to an NHL coaching job. Peter Laviolette, Mike Sullivan, Bruce Cassidy and Scott Gordon are among the Providence NHL coaching alumni.
Though Heinen might be in Boston to stay, there are several players that Leach and Bruins management will monitor closely this season: