Bruins believe David Pastrnak is ahead of schedule in his recovery
The Rocket Richard Trophy co-winner (career-high 48 goals last year) has rehabbed “very well, no setbacks,” Cassidy said. “And I think because of his natural conditioning and his work ethic, that pushes him ahead a little bit.”
Pastrnak had a right hip arthroscopy and labral repair Sept. 16. He has been ruled out for the Jan. 14 season opener at New Jersey, and is not likely to travel for the first road trip (Jan. 16 at New Jersey, Jan. 18 at New York Islanders). The Bruins’ second road trip of the season begins with a two-game set (Jan. 30, Feb. 1) against Zdeno Chara and the Washington Capitals. It’s possible Pastrnak could accompany the team to D.C., if he practices with the team before then.
“I don’t know — I guess getting back from the [first] road trip and having him in our regular lineup, doing regular practices, is always the best indicator for me,” Cassidy said, “and he’s not there yet, so I don’t want to guess.”
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The Bruins ran through their second day of drills in Brighton. They plan to practice again Wednesday, scrimmage Thursday and Friday, take Saturday off, and whittle down a 23-man roster and taxi squad on Sunday.
Quick-hitters from camp:
▪ Marchand (sports hernia surgery) switching his no-contact (red) jersey for a regular practice shirt. He appeared to skate without limitation. All signs point to his readiness for Jan. 14.
▪ The Bruins’ top two defensive pairs remained the same: Jeremy Lauzon is replacing Zdeno Chara on Charlie McAvoy’s left, and Matt Grzelcyk is spelling Torey Krug on Brandon Carlo’s left. The latter could be deployed as a shutdown pair, given some expected growing pains for the 23-year-old Lauzon. Grzelcyk has paired well with McAvoy, if needed. For now, Grzlecyk-Carlo is a pairing of different, effective defensive styles.
“[Carlo] skates so well for how big he is,” Grzelcyk said of his 6-foot-5-inch, 212-pound pal. “It makes it a lot easier when you’re playing with him to close plays quickly and get going the other way. Once we’re stuck in-zone, he’s one of the best defenders.”
Grzelcyk uses his quick stick and feet to strip pucks and start the attack. Carlo has shown an improvement in his transition passing and looks more comfortable at the offensive blue line, but his bread-and-butter is in front of the net.
“He gets a little more physical every year,” Cassidy said. “[Grzelcyk] complements that type of player. We don’t think there should be much of a drop-off there in terms of how the pair functions.”
▪ The third pair remains in flux. Jakub Zboril and John Moore are the top left-side contenders, Connor Clifton and Kevan Miller on the right side. All but Zboril have spent shifts on their off side. Urho Vaakanainen, with his understated game, needs to show up in the scrimmages to remain in the hunt for a spot.
▪ Sportsnet in Canada reported the Bruins (and the Devils) were interested in bringing in veteran left-shot defenseman Ben Hutton on a pro tryout agreement (PTO).
▪ Trent Frederic has been working as a fourth-line left wing. Like temporary top-liner Jack Studnicka, also a centerman breaking in on the wing, Frederic looks stronger, quicker and more confident than he did in the bubble. “And he’s shooting the puck a ton right now,” Cassidy said, noting Frederic’s improvement in that area from the offseason. To make the team, he will have to beat out veteran left-shot wing/centers Par Lindholm and Greg McKegg.
▪ Cassidy expects to split his goalies, Tuukka Rask and Jaroslav Halak, 60/40 during the 56-game season, and splitting the eight back-to-backs on the schedule. Both have looked sharp in practice.
▪ Young forwards Karson Kuhlman, Oskar Steen and Anton Blidh have been unable to participate, according to Cassidy. Kuhlman, the coach said, reported early and quarantined, but was “caught up in a testing issue.” Steen was expected to skate on Wednesday. It is not known when Blidh will debut.
Matt Porter can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter: @mattyports.
