Whilst obviously the Boston Bruins would like to have their preferred second-line center, David Krejci fit for opening night, it seems like it might not happen.
It’s not the end of the world though; the Boston Bruins have an ‘able’ replacement for David Krejci in new summer recruit, Par Lindholm and frankly could do worse things than give the third-line and fourth line centers Charlie Coyle and Sean Kuraly, a little extra ice-time should Lindholm not be able to keep pace with his linemates.
Given that David Krejci was practising for the Boston Bruins on Monday wearing a non-contact jersey and given that he’s seen very minimal pre-season action, you’d almost hope that he isn’t thrown straight in on opening night against the likes of Dallas Stars centers, Joe Pavelski and Tyler Seguin.
What may be a bigger concern is when he eventually does get back on the ice in competitive action. Perhaps the easiest encounter would be the away game against the Arizona Coyotes just two days after Dallas.
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Beyond that, we’re talking second-line match-ups with the likes of Nazem Kadri in Colorado or Max Pacioretty and Mark Stone in Vegas. They’re hardly the easiest guys to find your game against, especially if you’ve been nursing an injury.
Not knowing exactly how banged up David Krejci is, you’d obviously want to err on letting him recover fully before a long and arduous campaign is truly rolling. Perhaps the Boston Bruins could do the wise thing and sit him in the press-box for the entire road-trip out West with a focus on the home opener against the New Jersey Devils.
Whilst Travis Zajac, Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes are be no means any less formidable opposition; at least the youth and possibility for inexperience among the latter two of them could benefit the wily veteran, David Krejci.
Sitting for a further four games isn’t going to necessarily sit well for the Boston Bruins, especially if Par Lindholm proves not to be up to the task, but it’s a smarter card to play than risk David Krejci’s health over the course of the other 78 games this year.
Would it be the worst thing in the world to give a little more recovery time?
Probably not.
These could be famous last words though should the Eastern Conference play-off teams be decided by a couple of dropped points in October.
What do you reckon; should the Boston Bruins risk a player that’s wearing a non-contact training jersey two days out from opening night?