Bruins Camp Journal: Bergeron Eyeing Saturday Return; Blidh Has Surgery

There was some bad news, some very good news, and then some no news is good news from Boston Bruins training camp Tuesday when it came to injury updates. Updates on forwards Anton Blidh, Patrice Bergeron and then a no update on David Krejci were given just over 12 hours after the Bruins beat the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3 in overtime.

The team roster also trimmed down another player and with two preseason games – Wednesday vs the New Jersey Devils and Saturday against the Chicago Blackhawks – the season-opening roster is starting to reveal itself every day.

So here’s the bad news first. …

Blidh Out Four Months

The Bruins announced that Blidh had surgery to repair a ligament in his right shoulder and will miss up to four months. Blidh – who was drafted in the sixth round (10th overall) of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft – was not expected to make the Bruins roster out of camp but he is a depth forward they feel they can call on when needed. The 6-foot, 180-pound Swedish forward had played in the Bruins first two preseason games and it’s believed he injured himself in the second game at the Flyers last Thursday. Blidh has a goal and an assist in 21 NHL games with the Bruins.

No News Is Good News For Krejci

After suffering what appeared to be a knee injury early in the first period of the 4-3 overtime win over the Flyers Monday night, Krejci was not on the ice for practice Tuesday. However, as he indicated after the game Monday night, Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy did not think there was anything to get overly concerned about.

“Obviously didn’t skate today. We’ll re-evaluate tomorrow. Again I don’t think right now it’s anything serious, but we’re going to take our time with it for sure, make sure he’s ready to go next week,” Cassidy said.

Saturday’s Alright for ‘Bergy’

Bergeron – who is recovering from a groin injury suffered in the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs – told the media Tuesday that he is targeting Saturday for a return to game action.

“I think so. That’s a fair assessment,” Bergeron told the media Tuesday. “I’m slowly feeling better on the ice and more comfortable. I’d like to be in Saturday for sure. If things go according to plan, it will be my first game.”

Bergeron has already missed the team’s first four preseason matches and will not play Wednesday night at TD Garden when the Bruins host the Devils. The team’s No. 1 center seemed optimistic though that he is getting back to normal.

“There’s not much more to say than I’m feeling good, things are advancing and looking good,” he said.

🎥 Patrice Bergeron on potentially making his preseason debut on Saturday: "I think so. That’s a fair assessment…things are advancing and looking good." pic.twitter.com/SK23d3c5Rd

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) September 24, 2019

Here’s what Groups A and B looked like Tuesday:

Group A

Marchand – Bergeron – Pastrnak

DeBrusk – Lindholm – Kuhlman

Heinen – Coyle – Ritchie

Wagner – Kuraly – Backes

Chara – McAvoy

Krug – Carlo

Grzelcyk – Clifton

Zboril – Kampfer

Rask

Halak

Group B

Bjork-Carey-Fitzgerald

Frederic-Gaunce-Hughes,

Koppanen (No Contact)-Lantosi-Lauko

Senyshyn-Shen-Steen/Studnicka

Didier-Lauzon

Petrovic-Vaakananien

Keyser

Lagace