WILMINGTON, Mass. — Boston Bruins forward prospect David Pastrnak was hit by defenseman Matt Bartkowski in the first half of Group B’s skate Saturday and the 18-year-old rookie didn’t return to the ice.
Bruins head coach Claude Julien said Pastrnak tweaked his shoulder and that he’s “very, very doubtful” for Sunday’s “Black and Gold” scrimmage in Providence. Julien believes the injury is not too serious.
Pastrnak, who Boston selected in the first round of the 2014 NHL draft, had been skating at right wing alongside David Krejci, just like he was Friday, as well as left winger Matt Fraser. Tyler Randell skated in Pastrnak’s spot with Krejci and Fraser in the second half of the first session.
— The Matt Lindblad–Alexander Khokhlachev–Loui Eriksson line was impressive in Group B drills. Eriksson scored one of the nicest goals of the session on a backhand shot that beat goaltender Malcolm Subban.
— Zdeno Chara’s fitness always is a storyline late in the season and playoffs. Injuries to Dennis Seidenberg and Adam McQuaid last season forced the B’s captain to play more minutes than head coach Claude Julien probably would have liked. With that said, Chara doesn’t sound like he wants to be limited in the preseason as far as ice time is concerned.
“As many as they let me play,” Chara said when asked how many preseason games he wants to take part in. “I want to play.”
— After a shorter postseason run than expected in 2013-14, Chara is ready to jump back into game action, starting with Sunday’s “Black and Gold” scrimmage.
“It’s going to be the first organized game in a while for us,” Chara said. “It’s nice to be getting into it slowly, and then right away we have the next game (Tuesday against the Canadiens in Montreal). Those games are going to be coming quick and we might as well get ready.”
— Matt Fraser became a playoff hero in last year’s second-round series against the Montreal Canadiens by scoring the winning goal in overtime of Game 4. After getting a taste of the NHL, Fraser’s goal is to be with Boston on a full-time basis in 2014-15.
“I’ve done what I can to prepare my body and prepare my mind for a grueling season,” Fraser said. “I’ve prepared to be a Boston Bruin, and when it comes down to it, that’s what I want.”
Group B ends practice
— Milan Lucic has been limited (recovery from offseason wrist surgery) in the early stage of camp, but he did participate in 3-on-3 drills Saturday.
“You don’t want to put yourself in a position where you’re having setbacks right away. … It’s probably not a good thing if I come back early and try to play a finesse game. I don’t think that’s good for myself, the team, the fans or anyone,” Lucic said. “You want to put yourself in a position where you’re back to where you can play at 100 percent, and if you have to miss a Black and Gold game or a few preseason games to make sure you are back at 100 percent, then you have to do whatever it takes.”
— For the second straight day, defenseman Linus Arnesson (tweaked groin) and forward Gregory Campbell (minor mid-core issue) did not skate. Julien doesn’t have a timeframe on when Campbell will be able to return.
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