Dec 7, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins left wing
Brad Marchand(63) and defenseman
Dennis Seidenberg(44) congratulate defenseman
Zdeno Chara(33) on scoring the go ahead goal during the third period against the Pittsburgh Penguins at TD Banknorth Garden. The Boston Bruins won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
On December 27th, Dennis Seidenberg collided with Ottawa Senators forward Cory Conacher and went down hard. Later it had been determined that he had a torn ACL/MCL and would not be able to play again this season. It was the start of the serious problems the Boston Bruins organization had to face regarding their blue line. Thankfully, the Bruins organizational depth allowed them to promote Providence player Kevan Miller to Boston. It also showed the character of Torey Krug and Dougie Hamilton as their NHL education was sent into overdrive.
Now there is cautious talk of Seidenberg being back in time for the playoffs. No, seriously. The Boston Globe’s Kevin Paul Dupont (@GlobeKPD on Twitter) commented on that possibility on local radio. He also compares that likely scenario with a Bruin who was completely battered in last season’s postseason, Patrice Bergeron.
“It’s realistic in that, first of all who the person is, the nature of the injury, and let’s go back to probably the most critical decision they had in the playoffs with an injured player, that was Bergeron,” Dupont said. “When Bergeron got dinged and they didn’t know if he was going to come back. They were very, very cautious with him.” Bergeron had suffered a series of serious injuries including a collpsed lung, and Dupont quickly explains the difference between Bergeron’s injuries and Seidenberg. “You don’t have to be that way about a knee,” Dupont continued. “The knee in effect speaks for itself. They can go in and do strength testing. For them to be announcing now that it’s possible, they know what the strength is today, they know what a horse he is. So yes, I think if you could project into a third round, fourth round, if needed maybe he’s there.”
“The combination of good athlete, well trained, well conditioned, surgery not as invasive, you get better results,” Dupont said.
Look at what happened with Steven Stamkos. When he went down on the TD Garden, we all thought he was done for the season. I guess we didn’t count on Stamkos’ level of conditioning, his professional compete level, and his desire to get back on the ice. He’s back there in Tampa now, making a difference for the Lightning as they try to distance themselves from all of the other teams in the Atlantic (save for the first place Bruins). Dennis Seidenberg is a contemporary of Stamkos. Incredible compete level, dedicated to his team, and this is the guy that does pull ups with thirty pounds of weight attached to his ankles.
The Bruins have done pretty well without Seidenberg (once they figured how they were going to cover for his absence). Having him back would be a boon for the Black and Gold though. Having him back as part of the top defense pair with Zdeno Chara would be another brick in the wall that has been the Boston Bruins defense. It would certainly improve their chances of a second Stanley Cup this decade.