Boston Bruins: Eight of These Are Concerning in One Season

Even though the 2020-21 NHL season was just 56 games, the Boston Bruins had their share of injuries both in the regular season and in the playoffs.

At the end of the day, the number of injuries the Bruins suffered was high, but the number of concussions they dealt with is nothing short of stunning.

According to general manager Don Sweeney in his end-of-the-year media availability, the former Boston defensemen announced that the Black and Gold dealt with not one, two, or even three concussions, but eight. That is a staggering number in a short season.

Bruins defenseman Brandon Carl suffered the most notable concussion.

Of the eight concussions suffered, Bruins defensemen Brandon Carlo suffered the most notable concussion on March 5. Playing the puck behind the Boston net, Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson came from a long distance away to hit Carlo’s head into the glass. There was no penalty called on the play, which to this day is pretty amazing.

Wilson did receive a seven-game suspension from the NHL for the hit, but Carlo missed a month of action because of the hit. Following his return in one game, plus one period, Carlo exited with another injury in the regular season.

Then, in the second-round playoff series against the New York Islanders, Carlo was knocked out of Game 3 hit from the Isles Cal Clutterbuck, whose shoulder hit on the 6-foot-5 Bruins defensemen caused Carlo’s head to hit the boards in the third period for a Bruins’ 2-1 overtime victory.

Carlo is a restricted free agent this summer, but you have to wonder, at least one bad concussion and possibly a second in the postseason, how will that affect him long-term? That remains to be seen if re-signs with the Bruins, but overall, eight concussions for a team in a short regular season and postseason is just too many that could have long-term effects down the line.