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Jakub Zboril out rest of season for Bruins with torn ACL

By Bryan Murphy |
Dec 2, 2021; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Jakub Zboril (67) skates away from a hit attempt from Nashville Predators center Thomas Novak (82) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 2, 2021; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Jakub Zboril (67) skates away from a hit attempt from Nashville Predators center Thomas Novak (82) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

The Boston Bruins issued an updated on Tuesday that defenseman Jakub Zboril is out for the remainder of the 2021-22 season with a torn ACL in his right knee.

The 24-year-old defenseman suffered the injury in the Dec. 2 matchup with the Nashville Predators when he collided with Tanner Jeannot.

He had successful surgery performed on Dec. 16 by Dr. Peter Asnis at Mass General Brigham.

Zboril skated in 10 games with the Bruins this season, recording three assists.

Zboril was arguably having his best season yet in the NHL

One of the three first-round selections in the 2015 draft, Zboril was building off a solid 2020-21 campaign this year. After skating in 42 games last year where he was in and out of the lineup, Zboril finally had worked his way into games on a consistent basis this season.

He started the year as one of the extra blue liners, but with some injuries/poor play from others, the young Czech defenseman got his chance and ran with it. He earned the praise of Bruce Cassidy and despite being a typical left-shot defenseman, was playing on the right side since the Bruins did not want to take him out of the lineup.

There were stretches where Zboril was one of, if not the best defenseman on the ice for the Bruins. He seemed to have a lot more poise in game, being able to carry the puck out of his own zone and find passes in the neutral zone. He was generating offensive plays as well.

It’s a tough break for the young defenseman, but he showed promise this season. He’s an RFA at the end of this season and while the injury isn’t ideal, the Bruins can certainly re-sign him on a cheaper deal than he might have asked for had he played this whole season.

For Boston, the need to get a defenseman just grew ten-fold. The team already was struggling on the back end and certainly felt like acquiring a blue liner at the trade deadline was going to happen. Now it’s needed. They could give someone like Jack Ahcan more time in the NHL, (which I am fully on board with), but another experience defenseman on the blue line still feels needed.

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Here’s to wishing Zboril a full recovery and hope to see him in the black and gold next season.

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