Report: Bruins’ Elias Lindholm’s Unknown Injury Not Getting Better
The Boston Bruins’ biggest offseason acquisition, Elias Lindholm, has yet to hit the ice for his new team as he deals with an undisclosed day-to-day injury. Lindholm, who signed a seven-year, $54.25 million contract to anchor the Bruins’ top line, has missed the start of training camp and has yet to hit the ice as a full-contact participant, let alone appear in a game.
Head coach Jim Montgomery has been cautious about Lindholm’s status, stating that the center is being held out as a precaution and not expected to play any time soon. “He took the day off, didn’t give it a go today just because of where he’s at,” Montgomery said on Tuesday. “He’s day to day not going to play this week.”
A few days earlier, via Andrew Fantucchio quoting the coach at the start of camp on Sept. 20, Montgomery said “We’re being extra cautious,” regarding Lindholm’s recovery
More concerning is the fact that the Bruins have not disclosed the nature of Lindholm’s injury, with Montgomery hinting that it could be related to soreness. “The Bruins have not disclosed the reason that Lindholm is off the ice, with Montgomery saying Friday they were just being extra cautious, indicating the issue was something like soreness,” NHL.com confirmed on Sept. 24. Lindholm’s absence comes after the Bruins exceeded expectations last season but lacked a key first-line center.
The former Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks forward, who changed teams mid-season last year, finished 2023-24 with 44 points (15 goals, 29 assists) in 75 regular-season games. He added 10 points in 13 postseason games with the Canucks.
Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand made a significant return to full practice with the team after an offseason marked by three separate surgeries. The team’s forward, who had procedures on his elbow, groin, and abdomen, participated fully on Wednesday, a crucial step towards being ready for the 2024–25 season, for the first time since the start of Boston’s camp.
Speaking to Eric Russo of NHL.com after practice, Marchand expressed relief about getting back into the mix after the struggles he experienced last season and a summer full of operations. “It feels good to be out there without a noncontact jersey and be part of full practice,” Marchand said. “Hopefully as things progress here, get into a couple games by the end of camp and be ready for the season.”
Marchand, already 36 years old, has been vocal about his challenging recovery process, but he remains optimistic in not missing a beat once the puck drops for the start of the regular season.
“Getting that back is a little bit off right now but every day I feel conditioning is catching up and is there,” Marchand said. “I don’t feel out of place in that. Something I can still continue to work on but I’m happy with where I’m at.” The Bruins’ captain also acknowledged that while his fitness is improving, adjusting to the pace of the game will take time. “The fitness level feels fine,” Marchand said. “It’s more the pace of bodies coming at you and timing, making plays under pressure.”
