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Lingering groin issue for Bergeron; Cassidy extended |
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With veterans set to report to training camp in Brighton tomorrow, one important veteran will be there, but how healthy will he be?
“It’s still a question where I’m not sure if I’m going to be limited,” Patrice Bergeron said about a lingering groin issue prior to the Bruins Foundation’s annual golf tournament Monday. “I feel better, but it’s still lingering a little bit. It’s been there most of the summer. I got a PRP shot in July, and I’m slowly ramping it up on the ice. It’s what we’re trying to shoot for is more October than this Thursday.”
With the Bruins offseason being a shorter one due to their run to the Stanley Cup Final, head coach Bruce Cassidy and general manager Don Sweeney have talked about taking a different approach with their veterans as they begin to prepare on the ice for the 2019-20 season. It sounds like more rest than normal is coming for the Bruins veterans over the next few weeks.
It was clear during the playoffs, and more specifically the Final that Bergeron was being slowed down by something. It’s not the best news to hear with camp a day away, but for the time being, it doesn’t sound like Bergeron thinks he will be unable to start the season next month.
“I should be able to play through that. I think it’s been there for a long time,” Bergeron said of the injury. “I think with the PRP shot we hope that, and it’s one of those things, it takes a little bit of time to work and have its effect. So it’s getting better but it’s still there a little bit. But I’m feeling good, I’m feeling positive that I’ll be ready for the start of the season. So that’s not even an issue.”
We don’t know when Bergeron will hit the ice for training camp, and when he does, at what pace. But with Bergeron being absent, limited, or however it plays out, this will open the door for some of the Bruins prospects at center to get a better look.
Bruins sign Cassidy to contract extension
Wednesday morning the Bruins announced the extension of Cassidy. The Bruins did not release the terms of the deal, something that often happens in the NHL, however, Pierre LeBrun of TSN reports the extension will pay Cassidy around $3 million annually.
Since taking over behind the Bruins bench in 2017, Cassidy has led the Bruins to a 117-52-22 record, taking the team to the playoffs in each of his three seasons as head coach, including last year’s appearance in the Stanley Cup Final.
The Bruins will enter the 2019-20 with high odds of returning to the Stanley Cup Final. Putting last year’s Game 7 loss behind them, and getting back to and winning a Cup will be Cassidy’s toughest challenge to date.
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