Pastrnak’s return to the Boston Bruins is “ahead of schedule.”
BRIGHTON, Massachusetts – Although the Boston Bruins’ game-breaker David Pastrnak will not be playing in their opening game of the season in New Jersey next week, it appears that he could return sooner rather than later. The 23-year-old Pastrnak is “a little bit ahead of schedule” in his hip surgery rehabilitation, having originally been projected to return to action by the middle of February. He has started skating alone at Warrior Ice Arena.
Rather, Pastrnak might make a comeback early in February, according to Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy. This could happen during a four-game road trip that takes place in the first week of February, passing through Washington and Philadelphia. Though it’s not quite as good as the news that Brad Marchand (sports hernia surgery) is expected to play in the Black and Gold’s season opener against the New Jersey Devils on January 14, it’s still good news about injuries.
Assuming Pastrnak experiences no setbacks during his last stages of recuperation after major hip surgery, the Boston Bruins bench coach reported that everything has gone smoothly for the league’s top scorer thus far.
Cassidy remarked, “Pasta is skating on his own schedule.” We believe he’s a little bit ahead of the original forecast, which was mid-February. After January is over, let’s see where he stands. I’m just repeating what the medical guys tell me; I don’t like to speculate about the medical aspect.
“His rehabilitation has gone really well thus far, or about four months, with no setbacks. I believe he gets a slight advantage from his innate work ethic and training. To what extent? I simply know that when we get to New Jersey, he won’t be prepared. Is it February 1st or February 4th? The biggest indication, in my opinion, is when he returns from a road trip and resumes practice; he is still not there.
“Over the past four months, his recuperation has gone incredibly well with no setbacks. I think his training and natural work ethic give him a small edge. How much? All I know is that he won’t be ready when we get to New Jersey. Which is it, February 1st or 4th? The most telling sign, in my opinion, is when he begins practicing after returning from a road trip and finds that he has not improved.
