Atlantic Notes: Sergachev, Chara, Kronwall

“It could be nine games, 10 games, 40 games, there’s no rush,” general manager Steve Yzerman said. “We haven’t decided our lineup for opening night. We’ll decide that in a week.”

Smith says while Sergachev has impressed many with his skills, he has often tried to do too much on the ice and made mistakes. However, the team’s plan has been to get him as much ice time as possible with the hopes of getting him as much experience as possible. Sergachev actually made the Canadiens roster last year out of training camp. However, he played in just three games before being returned to Windsor.

• The Boston Bruins have been playing it safe with veteran blueliner Zdeno Chara this year. The 40-year-old defenseman has played in just one game and the team has no intentions of playing him in tonight’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks, according to CSNNE.com. The team is fearful of losing another left-shot defenseman after Torey Krug went down last week with a fractured jaw. Head coach Bruce Cassidy admitted that the 6-foot-9, 250 pounder doesn’t need much time to get ready for the season. “I don’t think Zee needs it to be honest with you. He’s been around a long time and will get his work in at practice,” he said. The team also hopes that it will keep him fresher for the regular season.
• MLive’s Arpon Basu writes that veteran defenseman Niklas Kronwall is listed as day-to-day after sustaining a groin injury. He has only played in one preseason game due to back spasms and has now been scratched for tonight’s game. Coach Jeff Blashill said if he can’t practice on Tuesday, he will not likely play in the season opener.