I'm in the "Ice Box" in Wilmington, Mass., watching the tail end of Bruins practice this Wednesday afternoon. The full squad is on the ice today. Players look to be serious, yet they're still enjoying themselves out there. Until any further notice, expect the lines and defensive pairings to remain the same and for Tim Thomas to be in net Thursday night against New Jersey at the TD Garden.
I talked a bit with general manager Peter Chiarelli, who admitted he is in pain from a recent scope of his knee for loose cartilage. Chiarelli believes that when GMs meet in Toronto following the Hall of Fame inductions in early November, head shots and predatory hits will continue to be a hot-button issue.
Chiarelli, though, said he does not expect the recent heavy hits (such as the much-discussed Mike Richards hit on David Booth, seen below) and the meetings to produce any specific penalty or rule to be determined.
