Boston Bruins

Brad Marchand Questionable To Start Bruins Training Camp While Recovering From Three Offseason Surgeries

Published

1 month ago

September 3, 2024

AP Photo/Michael Dwyer

The Boston Bruins were back on the ice as a team on Tuesday as more than 20 of the club’s players descended on Warrior Ice Arena for the first of two captains’ practices this week.

For the Bruins captain, Brad Marchand, Tuesday’s skate was one of his first times on the ice at all after undergoing three surgeries over the summer, putting his status for the start of training camp into question.

“I didn’t do a whole lot of training until about two weeks ago,” Marchand told reporters in Brighton. “I’m just getting back into it, skating by myself. The goal is to try to be ready for camp and, if not, very shortly after. I’m just getting back into the swing of things now.”

Marchand disclosed that the operations were to fix a torn ligament he had in his elbow, as well as two in his lower abdominal and groin for a sports hernia.

It’s unclear when those injuries occurred, as Marchand had perfect attendance for the Bruins last season, appearing in all 82 regular season games while scoring 67 points with 29 goals. The veteran is no stranger to going under the knife but may now need more time to fully recover than in the past, entering his 16th NHL season at 36 years old.

Even with his wounds still fresh, Marchand was the first player skating on Tuesday as he and the Bruins prepare for the upcoming year.

First on the ice ahead of #Bruins captain’s practice: Brad Marchand (fittingly)

As you can see, the Bruins Centennial logo has been changed back to the previous iteration at Warrior Arena. pic.twitter.com/0twEp4WOmT

— Joe Pohoryles (@Joe_Poho) September 3, 2024

“This is a fun time of year, getting back to the rink with a lot of guys coming back into town,” said Marchand. “You see guys periodically through the summer, and everyone is excited to get going. Now is the fun time right before camp. It’s good to see the new guys come in and the old guys come back, so it’s nice.”

Among those who were in attendance at Warrior were Elias Lindholm, Nikita Zadorov, Max Jones, and Mark Kastelic, all of who became members of the Bruins over the summer.

Boston was among one of the more aggressive teams across the NHL this offseason, adding 10 different players while handing out a franchise record $92 million in free agency alone.

The spending wasn’t frivolous, however, as the Bruins approached each move with a clear vision to fit the brand of hard-hitting hockey they plan to play this season.

“There are a lot of new additions this year. A lot of guys who fit the mold that we try to play,” Marchand said. “First and foremost, they’re all really good guys, which is a huge factor whenever the team gets anybody. The size, the strength and the speed that they brought in is really exciting, and I’m looking forward to seeing how we come together.”

The Bruins will hold one more captains’ practice on Thursday before starting rookie camp next week. Training camp will begin on Sep. 18.