BOSTON — The Bruins will open the 2015-16 season without their top defenseman.
Zdeno Chara has been ruled out for Thursday’s regular-season opener against the Winnipeg Jets as he continues to recover from an upper body injury, head coach Claude Julien announced Thursday morning.
Chara suffered the injury during the first period of Boston’s third preseason game. He has not played since but has participated in each of the team’s last three practices, including Thursday’s morning skate.
“(His status) is getting better every day,” Julien said. “It is. There’s no doubt (Thursday) he felt better than (Wednesday). So, we’re hoping that it’s going to be sooner than later, and that could be next game for all we know.”
The 38-year-old did lose 19 games to injury last season, though, making rushing him back into action an undesirable option for Julien & Co. When asked to predict when he might return, Chara said he had “no guess” and was “looking forward to tomorrow.”
“You have to be smart about your decision-making,” the coach said. “So to me, if there’s no risk and he’s got to play hurt or little risk and he’s got to play with a little bit of pain, no problem. If it’s the other way around, and there’s a big risk, then why risk it this early in the season?”
With Chara out, Torey Krug and Adam McQuaid become Boston’s top defensive pairing. Zach Trotman — projected as Chara’s D-partner — shifts down to the third pairing, where he’ll skate alongside Matt Irwin. Joe Morrow and Kevan Miller make up pairing No. 2.
“I think it goes without saying that you don’t replace someone like (Chara),” said McQuaid, who’s played the majority of his career as a second- or third-pairing D-man. “It’s kind of been by committee when we’ve had injuries like this, but you focus on the guys who are in the lineup, and everyone chips in and does their job.”
Colin Miller, who skated with Chara at morning skate, is expected to be a healthy scratch for Thursday’s opener, as are forwards Max Talbot and Tyler Randell.
“My preoccupation can’t be about what I’m missing, but what I’ve got,” Julien said. “And what I’ve got (Thursday night) I think is good enough for us to win a hockey game. All we’ve got to do is go out there and show it.”
Thumbnail photo via James Guillory/USA TODAY Sports Images
