Halfway through training camp, things have gone smoothly in terms of injuries for the Boston Bruins and second-year coach Marco Sturm. However, eventually, you knew that the luck with injuries was going to come to an end at some point.
That was the case on Tuesday and Wednesday. Now, two young players, Matthew Poitras and Mason Lohrei, have been hit with injuries, and just like that, depth is going to be tested in the preseason and when it comes to camp rosters are finalized.
Bruins suffer camp setbacks to Mason Lohrei and Matthew Poitras
Poitras was missing from both groups that practiced on Wednesday at Warrior Ice Arena, according to multiple beat writers on hand. Lohrei left during the second session, with a majority of the NHLers and Sturm said both were battling injuries.
Poitras was hurt in Tuesday's workout, while Lohrei was hurt in Wednesday's practice, and according to Conor Ryan of the Boston Globe, Sturm said that he was undergoing some testing. An update is likely coming on Thursday.
So, what does this mean for both players? Lohrei feels like he's all but got a roster spot locked up to begin the season, especially with Charlie McAvoy facing a six-game suspension at the start of the season. That should also help Frederic Brunet, who was practicing with the young first group, and Sturm said that didn't mean anything, potentially cracking the Opening Night roster. However, Lohrei's injury announcement will play a big role in that.
As for Poitras, he looked good in Sunday night's preseason win over the Washington Capitals, and it's creating some roster decisions for Sturm. He sat out Tuesday night's game and is likely going to play in at least one more preseason game either on Thursday or Friday night, depending on his health. It's been said before and should be said again: Poitras would require waivers to get to the Providence Bruins in the American Hockey League (AHL). It would be interesting if he's injured long-term; what that would mean in terms of a roster spot for him.
Sturm's update for Lohrei and Poitras on Thursday will be telling with two more preseason games before rosters are finalized for next week's opener. Injuries are never good, but to suffer them in camp with the number of bodies that are already in place, lessens the blow. Expect the Bruins to take the slow route with both players.
Add us as a preferred source on Google