BOSTON — For the second straight day, Bruins defenseman Adam McQuaid was absent from practice Wednesday morning at the TD Garden.
He remains under the weather and his status for Thursday's season opener against Philadelphia is in question.
"He's still sick," Bruins coach Claude Julien said. "He's batting a flu or bug or virus, so he came in [Wednesday] but we decided to keep him off the ice again."
Julien stated that McQuaid is improving, and could be available to play against the Flyers.
"He's getting better, and [Thursday] I would say he's a possibility," Julien said.
With Steven Kampfer already sidelined with a knee injury, the Bruins would have to turn to rookie Matt Bartkowski if McQuaid can't go. Bartkowski got off to a strong start in camp, but struggled a bit in the final preseason game Saturday against the Islanders in Bridgeport.
McQuaid emerged as very effective defender who provided a physical presence on the blue line last season, when he had 3-12-15 totals, 96 penalty minutes, 102 hits, 12 fighting majors and was a plus-30 in 67 games. He added four assists and a plus-8 rating in 23 playoff contests.
