It’s been 15 straight games with Bruins defenseman Brandon Carlo unavailable due to an upper-body ailment. And with March’s 10-game absence due to a concussion sustained on a cheap shot from the Capitals’ Tom Wilson, Carlo has actually missed all but two of the Black and Gold’s last 27 contests.
But after Carlo was on the ice in a regular jersey for Thursday’s morning skate at Warrior Ice Arena, the Bruins shared a bit of good news in regards to a potential Carlo return to action.
“We’re aiming for early next week, so the New Jersey trip has been discussed,” said Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy when asked for a timeline on the 6-foot-5 defender. “He needs a few practices [and] He’ll get one [Friday] with us.
“We’ll see about Sunday, but that’s his timeline right now [and it] obviously could change. But he’s done a good job. A fairly quick turnaround for his injury, so we’re pleased with that. But let’s get through the next few days and decide.”
With Carlo out of action, the Bruins have rotated Connor Clifton, Steven Kampfer, and Kevan Miller through various roles beneath Charlie McAvoy on the right side of Boston’s defense.
It’ll be interesting to see just what the Bruins do with Carlo upon his eventual return, too, as the Bruins could opt to reunite him with Matt Grzelcyk on the B’s second pairing, or try Carlo with deadline pickup Mike Reilly and keep the pace-pushing Grzelcyk-McAvoy duo together.
The 24-year-old Carlo has two goals, an assist, a plus-10 rating, along with 32 hits and 33 blocked shots, in 23 games this year.
Ty Anderson is a writer and columnist for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Yell at him on Twitter: @_TyAnderson.