With the other group already touched down in China (but with their gear still hung up in customs), the on-ice portion of training camp for the 'domestic' group of Boston Bruins will debut at Warrior Ice Arena on Friday morning.
But for center Patrice Bergeron, defenseman Torey Krug, and fourth-line banger Noel Acciari, a full-on jump into the mix will have to wait, as their respective recoveries from offseason procedures will require more off-ice attention.
"Still shooting for same schedule for the end of camp...A little bit of a setback but otherwise looking forward to be done and feeling good next week."
????Bergeron is dealing with back spasms as a result of his groin injury rehab, but expects to be ready for the season: pic.twitter.com/lR6afCUnJA
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) September 13, 2018
Already dealing with a 'setback' from offseason groin surgery, a battle with back spasms has been added to the list of things ailing the 33-year-old Bergeron. Which he almost expected given his original rehabilitation plans.
“Sometimes it does happen, I’ve been told," Bergeron, who scored 30 goals and 63 points last year, said during his media availability on Thursday. "People who’ve dealt with groin and hip injuries, they’ve dealt with some back injuries as well. So, a little bit of a setback, but otherwise kind of looking forward to being done and feeling good next week.”
Krug, who suffered a broken ankle with an awkward tumble into the TD Garden boards in Game 4 of Boston's second-round series loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, said he feels 'pretty good' and remains hopeful he'll play in a preseason tilt. Noel Acciari, meanwhile, continues to rehab from offseason sports hernia surgery and an 'adductor release' procedure.
The Bruins will open the on-ice portion of their stateside training camp Friday morning at Warrior Ice Arena.
That group will have three sessions on both Friday and Saturday, and open their preseason slate Sunday afternoon at TD Garden with a 1 p.m. head-to-head with the Washington Capitals.