The Boston Bruins held their locker clean out and final media availability today, and many of the questions regarded the obvious injuries that plagued the whole roster. The Bruins, like many other teams the St. Louis Blues have faced, explained their long list of ailments but didn’t use them as an excuse. Among the injuries were:
- Zdeno Chara – Multiple fractures in jaw, recovery period is five to six weeks. Will have MRI on lower-body injury.
- Kevan Miller – Fractured kneecap, hopeful for start of next season.
- Brad Marchand – Abdominal, groin injuries, sprained hand.
- Patrice Bergeron – Groin injury, no surgery required.
- Noel Acciari – Broken sternum. Further testing to be done on right foot, currently in walking boot.
- Jake DeBrusk – Concussion.
- John Moore – Broken humerus, four to six month recovery.
While many of the injuries were obvious, some were not so apparent. DeBrusk for example was allowed back into the lineup despite telling Joe McDonald of The Athletic that he battled through the injury since the first round. While not all of the details will ever likely emerge on the diagnosis and treatment, it is concerning that he was allowed to play at all. Rick Nash battled through a concussion to play in the playoffs last season for Boston, and ended up deciding to retire in part because of those issues.
Still, few of the injuries appear as though they’ll have a huge impact on the 2019-20 season. More important perhaps were the comments made from some of the other players on the roster, including Charlie McAvoy who told reporters he wants to stay in Boston “forever.” McAvoy is a restricted free agent this summer and will need a new contract. David Backes meanwhile, who sat out much of the playoffs despite his hefty contract, knows that it may be the end for him in a Bruins uniform. The veteran forward said he’s “not naive” in believing that the team isn’t looking for a way to shed his salary. Backes has two years left on his contract that carries a $6MM cap hit.
backes gets a ton of heat – poor kid