Bruins’ Hampus Lindholm Reacts To Taking Next Step In Recovery

The Bruins were hit with a key injury on the blue line but received a positive development Wednesday.

Hampus Lindholm participated in practice after working individually before morning skate over the past week. The defenseman was out since Nov. 12 due to a lower-body injury and was placed on long-term injured reserve Tuesday. But the veteran was happy to be back on the ice with his teammates.

“I think any pro athlete will say being on the sidelines is not something you want, but it’s part of the sport,” Lindholm told reporters, per a team-provided video. “I just try to do everything I can to maximize when I do get back, learn something and hope to be a better version of myself when I do get back on the ice playing.”

The All-Star defenseman felt he was “closer to a return.” However, interim head coach Joe Sacco did not want to commit to a timeline and wanted to see how things played out heading into the Bruins’ matchup against the Ottawa Senators on Saturday.

Boston could use Lindholm back on the blue line after it placed Charlie McAvoy on injured reserve, though he skated before Wednesday’s morning skate. Parker Wotherspoon and Michael Callahan did step up for the Bruins in their 6-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday. Lindholm was happy to see that as he continues to make strides toward an eventual return.