The Bruins are set to open training camp on Wednesday, September 11. With less than one month to go before the regular season kicks off, things will be all business when the Black and Gold take to the Ristuccia Arena ice. All eyes will be on Boston’s newcomers, but the health of two invaluable veterans is what’s drawing attention as camp draws near.
Gregory Campbell and Patrice Bergeron are both coming off of significant injuries. Campbell suffered a fractured fibula in the Eastern Conference Finals and Bergeron tore rib cartilage that led to a punctured lung in the Stanley Cup. Their importance to the Bruins success is more than apparent. So will they be ready for participation in training camp?
Bergeron is confident he’ll be healthy enough for the start of camp and fully ready to play in the season opener without any limitations.
“I’m feeling pretty good,” Bergeron told ESPNBoston.com. “I’m still feeling some tenderness in the rib area but it’s been pretty good. I’ve been able to do most of my workouts and I’ve gone on the ice the last few weeks and felt good. I feel pretty confident I’ll be good for the start of camp and good for the season.”
Several Bruins have been participating in captain’s practice leading up to this week. Bergeron took part in his first practice on Sunday.
Campbell had surgery this offseason on his ankle. He had a plate and screws inserted into his right leg. Campbell has been participating in captain’s practice and is focused on the upcoming season while getting stronger each day.
Despite feeling some lingering pain, Campbell is cleared for full participation in team training drills. Though he admits it’s quite different skating with the hardware inserts.
“I’m going to feel it for a while,” Campbell told ESPNBoston.com. “If you’ve ever had a broken bone, I guess there’s a certain time frame where it’s expected to be fully healed but there are weeks and months after that you still feel the break. That’s where I’m at right now. I’m still going to feel it and I fully expect to feel it for a while now. As much as I can protect the area and make it as comfortable as possible, there’s still going to be some pain there that I’m going to have to live through.”
The Bruins are a club predicated on its center depth and is fortunate that two of their vital cogs are ready to roll. Boston has visible struggles when not at full health and it showed against the Blackhawks. With a fresh slate awaiting them anything is possible.
Frank O’Laughlin – Senior Contributor – TitleTown Sports Network
TitleTown Sports Network 
Reblogged this on puckdrop uk and commented:
Bergeron and Campbell being ready will help the Bruins get off to a strong start to the season.